I.

Estimated Investment Cost

Provide the chicks with good quality feeds either home grown or commercially sourced. Feed the chicks intermittently rather than continuously. Research studies have shown that chicks utilize nutrients better when using intermittent feeding. Do not allow feed troughs to go empty for more than 1-2 hours. Cleanliness and dryness of the brooding quarters will prevent chicks contamination from parasites and diseases, which might have been carried by previously brooded chicks. Environment should be kept as uniform as possible. Sudden changes in the surroundings cause a certain degree of stress or insecurity (e.g. removal of brooder canopy; slamming doors of brooder houses; or the presence of drafts). It is advisable that a regular caretaker feed the chicks following a definite schedule during the first three weeks of the chicks life. Make sure that feeds and fresh water are always available. Vitamins, minerals, and antibiotic supplements may be added to the drinking water during the first few days. Consult your feed dealer. Always check the chicks at night before going to sleep.

II. Selection of Stock to Raise Stock should be purchased from a reliable hatchery or dealer where the parent stocks are well housed and well managed. Select/buy only healthy chicks (i.e. dry, fluffy feathers, bright eyes, and alert and active appearance; free from diseases, and abnormalities; chicks should have uniform size and color; and in the case of broiler chicks, it should be less than 33 g. at dayold) Choose those that have high livability and are fast growers. III. Rearing of the Day-Old Chicks Provide sufficient artificial heat to keep day-old chicks warm during the day and night. Avoid abrupt changes in brooder temperature during the first two weeks of life. Provide adequate space for chicks as they grow. Overcrowding is one of the factors affecting poor growth. Good ventilation also helps avoid future respiratory diseases. Also, provide a good light source as a well-lighted brooder encourages chicks to start feeding.

All weak, deformed, and sickly chicks should be culled right away and disposed of properly. The immediate burning or burying of dead birds is an important part of a good sanitation program. Do not expose to flies or rats.

Read more at BusinessDiary.com.ph: http://businessdiary.com.ph/438/how-to-starta-poultry-farm-business/#ixzz29KNeeZ62 IV. Rearing of the Growing Stock Broilers are marketed when they reach 45-60 days of age depending on strain. Birds are given anti-stress drugs, either in the feed or in the drinking water, 2-5 days before and after they are transferred to the growing houses. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the growing houses prior to the transfer of the growing stock. Transfer birds only during good weather. During summer, birds appetite diminishes but this may be sufficiently restored by wet mash feeding or by taking appropriate measures like spraying, misting, or sprinkling the roofing with water to lower house temperature.

V. Housing Chickens, being warm blooded, have the ability to maintain a rather uniform temperature of their internal organs. However, the mechanism is efficient only when the ambient temperature is within certain limits. Birds cannot adjust well to extremes; therefore, it is very important that chickens be housed, cared and provided with an environment that will enable them to maintain their thermal balance. If possible, the length of the broiler house should run from east to west. This prevents direct sunlight from penetrating the side walls of the house, which could cause heat build-up inside. Ventilation is very important. Allocate at least 1 square foot of floor space per bird. If constructing an open-sided type of housing, elevate the house about 1.5 m. from the ground. This ensures proper circulation of air and easier collection of fecal matter underneath the house after each harvest. The building should be rat proof, bird proof, and cat proof. Trees may be planted on the sides of the house to provide shade during hot season. These can also serve as protection from storms or weather disturbances. The roofing should be monitor-type and high enough to provide better air circulation inside the broiler house. In preparation for the arrival of the chicks, thoroughly clean the house with the use of a high pressure washer to remove dust, fecal matter, or any debris inside. Disinfect the house and all equipment to be used. VI. Location Requirements and Recommended Layout for Poultry Farms A poultry farm must be located outside urban areas. It must be located in 25 m. radius from sources of ground and surface drinking water. Medium and large poultry farms must be at least 1,000 m. away from built-up areas (residential, commercial, institutional and industrial) while a small scale must be at least 500 m. away from these areas. VII. Feeding Management

Broiler-commercial rations are fed to the birds during the first 5 weeks and from then on are replaced by the broiler-finisher ration. All purpose straight broiler ration is fed from the start to the marketing age of eight weeks. Commercial broiler feeds contain additives considered to be grown-promoting substances. Feed additives make broiler production profitable and help broiler farmer control diseases. VIII. Health Management The most economical and ideal method to control diseases could be achieved by proper management, good sanitation, and having an effective vaccination program. Consult a veterinarian for a program suited to your business operation. IX. Marketing Alternative market outlets should be surveyed even before deciding to start a broiler business to ensure a ready market at the time of harvest. Marketing arrangements with local hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, institutional buyers, and grocery stores with freezers may be made. Producers may form associations or market cooperatives so that they could agree on a common price. Organized producers have bargaining power with regard to their selling prices. Producers are advised to compute which is more profitable to sell, the birds dressed or live, and whether to sell at the farm or in the market. The broilers should be sold at optimum weight (1.6-1.9 kg. live weight). X. Estimated Income per Batch (42-45 days) * Net of 4% ** Based on DA-BAI figures as of Feb 2, 2009 XI. Ecological Implications Livestock production impacts on the environment through possible effects on surface and ground water quality, gas emissions from animal wastes, and unpleasant odors arising from the enterprise. mortality rate

Manure management is less problematic in poultry enterprises, where manure management does not usually entail wet disposal as in piggery enterprises, and where the chicken dung is often routinely collected for conversion into organic fertilizer or fish feeds. Gases emitted in livestock enterprises include ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The latter three contribute to atmospheric changes that lead to global warming. Unpleasant odors emanating from a livestock enterprise are a function of the scale of operation and sound manure management. It is likely that the increasing scale of operation in livestock enterprises in the past years has also intensified the adverse environmental impacts of the industry. The challenge is to constantly develop more efficient and effective technologies for managing animal wastes tailored to different scales of production, even as various means of converting such wastes to useful products (e.g. biogas, fertilizer) have been in use for many years. XII. Registration Requirements 1. Business Name Registration From the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office of the province where the business is located Validity: 5 years 2. Barangay Clearance From the barangay office, which has jurisdiction over the area where the business is located 3. Mayors Permit and License / Sanitary Permit From the local government which has jurisdiction over the area where the business is located Validity: 1 year 4. Tax Identification Number From the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) National Diliman, Quezon City or from the nearest BIR Office in your locality 5. Environmental Department of Environment Visayas Avenue, Telephone No.:: (632) 929.6626 XIII. Financing (TIN) Office

Agricultural Credit Policy 28/F, One San Miguel San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Telephone Nos.: 634.3326 / Telefax: 636.3393 Land Bank of the Head Office: 1598 M. H. Del Pilar Malate, Telephone Nos.: 522.0000 / 551.2200

Council (ACPC) Avenue Building Center Pasig City 634.3320 to 21

cor.

Philippines (LBP) Dr. J. Quintos Sts. Manila

Development Bank of the Head Office: Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue Makati Telephone No.: 818.9511 (connect to SME Department) XIV. Technical Assistance Department of Bureau of Animal Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Telephone No.: Fax No.: 927.0971

Philippines cor. Makati

(DBP) Avenue City

Industry Quezon (632)

Agriculture (DA-BAI) City 926.6883

Technology Resource Center (TRC) TRC Building,103 J. Abad Santos cor. Lopez Jaena Sts., Little Baguio, San Juan City (Near corner Wilson Street) Telephone No.: (632) 727.6205 Philippine Association of Broiler c/o San Miguel 18/F, JMT Building, ADB Avenue, Telephone No.: Telefax: 637.3786 Integrators, Inc. (PABI) Foods, Inc. Ortigas Center, Pasig City 634.1010

Download here the Manual on Chicken/Poultry Raising Guide. Source: www.dti.gov.ph, Oct 2009. ldc.da.gov.ph BUREAU OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT (BMSMED) 5/F, Trade and Industry Building 361 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave. Makati City Tel. Nos.: (02) 897.1693 / 897.7596 / 890.4968 Fax No.: (02) 896.7916 Email: bmsmed@dti.gov.ph

Compliance Certificate and Natural Resources (DENR) Diliman, Quezon City

Read more at BusinessDiary.com.ph: http://businessdiary.com.ph/438/how-to-starta-poultry-farm-business/#ixzz29KOdydOk

Equipment P30,000 Day old chick (500 x P20/head) P10,000 o Assumptions: Growing period of 42-45 days Target weight of 1.6kg Mortality of 4%

>Starting a Business in Poultry Raising Posted by EPa in Livestocks

o o Feeds: o o

Chick booster 10g/head/day for 7 days @P13.84/kg P484.40 Broiler starter 60g/head/day for 3 weeks @P21.03/kg 13,248.90 Broiler finisher 90g/head/day for 2 weeks @P20.34/kg P12,814.20

Chicken broiler production is one of the most progressive animal enterprises in the Philippines today. The poultry industry began as a backyard enterprise but has shifted to the formation of very large integrated contract farming operations. Ecological Implications Livestock production impacts on the environment through possible effects on surface and ground water quality, gas emissions from animal wastes, and unpleasant odors arising from the enterprise. Manure management is less problematic in poultry enterprises, where manure management does not usually entail wet disposal as in piggery enterprises, and where the chicken dung is often routinely collected for conversion into organic fertilizer or fish feeds. Gases emitted in livestock enterprises include ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The latter three contribute to atmospheric changes that lead to global warming. Unpleasant odors emanating from a livestock enterprise are a function of the scale of operation and sound manure management. It is likely that the increasing scale of operation in livestock enterprises in the past years has also intensified the adverse environmental impacts of the industry. The challenge is to constantly develop more efficient and effective technologies for managing animal wastes tailored to different scales of production, even as various means of converting such wastes to useful products (e.g. biogas, fertilizer) have been in use for many years. Estimated Investment Costs (based on DA-BAI 2009 figures) Housing P40,000

Medication P2/chick P1,000 Operating Expenses (electricity, labor, farm rental, water) P5,000 Initial investment per batch P42,547.50 Estimated total cost P112,547.50

Selection of Stock to Raise Stock should be purchased from a reliable hatchery or dealer where the parent stocks are well housed and well managed. Select/buy only healthy chicks (i.e. dry, fluffy feathers, bright eyes, and alert and active appearance; free from diseases, and abnormalities, chicks should have uniform size and color; and in the case of broiler chicks, it should be less than 33 grams at day-old). Choose those that have high livability and are fast growers.

Rearing of the Day-Old Chicks Provide sufficient artificial heat to keep day-old chicks warm during the day and night. Avoid abrupt changes in brooder temperature during the first two weeks of life. Provide adequate space for chicks as they grow. Overcrowding is one of the factors affecting poor growth. Good ventilation also helps avoid future

respiratory diseases. Also, provide a good light source as a well-lighted brooder encourages chicks to start feeding. Provide the chicks with good quality feeds either home grown or commercially sourced. Feed the chicks intermittently rather than continuously. Research studies have shown that chicks utilize nutrients better when using intermittent feeding. Do not allow feed troughs to go empty for more than 1-2 hours. Cleanliness and dryness of the brooding quarters will prevent chicks contamination from parasites and diseases, which might have been carried by previously brooded chicks. Environment should be kept as uniform as possible. Sudden changes in the surroundings cause a certain degree of stress or insecurity (e.g. removal of brooder canopy; slamming doors of brooder houses; or the presence of drafts), it is advisable that a regular caretaker feed the chicks following a definite schedule during the first three weeks of the chicks life. Make sure that feeds and fresh water are always available. Vitamins, minerals, and antibiotic supplements may be added to the drinking water during the first few days. Consult your feed dealer. Always check the chicks at night before going to sleep. All weak, deformed, and sickly chicks should be culled right away and disposed of properly. The immediate burning or burying of dead birds is an important part of a good sanitation program. Do not expose to flies or rats.

Housing Chickens, being warm blooded, have the ability to maintain a rather uniform temperature of their internal organs. However, the mechanism is efficient only when the ambient temperature is within certain limits. Birds cannot adjust well to extremes; therefore, it is very important that chickens be housed, cared and provided with an environment that will enable them to maintain their thermal balance. If possible, the length of the broiler house should run from east to west. This prevents direct sunlight from penetrating the side walls of the house, which could cause heat build-up inside. Ventilation is very important. Allocate at least 1 square foot of floor space per bird. If constructing an open-sided type of housing, elevate the house about 1.5 m from the ground. This ensures proper circulation of air and easier collection of fecal matter underneath the house after each harvest. The building should be rat proof, bird proof, and cat proof. Trees may be planted on the sides of the house to provide shade during hot season. These can also serve as protection from storms or weather disturbances. The roofing should be monitor-type and high enough to provide better ak circulation inside the broiler house. In preparation for the arrival of the chicks, thoroughly clean the house with the use of a high pressure washer to remove dust, fecal matter, or any debris inside. Disinfect the house and all equipment to be used.

Rearing of the Growing Stock Broilers are marketed when they reach 45-60 days of age depending on strain. Birds are given anti-stress drugs, either in the feed or in the drinking water, 2-5 days before and after they are transferred to the growing houses. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the growing houses prior to the transfer of the growing stock. Transfer birds only during good weather. During summer, birds appetite diminishes but this may be sufficiently restored by wet mash feeding or by taking appropriate measures like spraying, misting, or sprinkling the roofing with water to lower house temperature.

Location Requirements and Recommended Layout for Poultry Farms A poultry farm must be located outside urban areas. It must be located in 25 m radius from sources of ground and surface drinking water. Medium and large poultry farms must be at feast 1 km away from built-up areas (residential, commercial, institutional and industrial) while a small scale must be at least 500 m away from these areas.

Feeding Management

Broiler-commercial rations are fed to the birds during the first 5 weeks and from then on are replaced by the broiler-finisher ration. All purpose straight broiler ration is fed from the start to the marketing age of eight weeks Commercial broiler feeds contain additives considered to be grownpromoting substances. Feed additives make broiler production profitable and help broiler farmer control diseases

Barangay clearance from the barangay office, which has jurisdiction over the area where the business is located. Mayors/Business Permit and License/Sanitary Permit (check your local municipality/city) BIR TIN (www.bir.gov.ph) Environmental Compliance Certificate (www.denr.gov.ph)

Health Management The most economical and ideal method to control diseases could be achieved by proper management, good sanitation, and having an effective vaccination program. Consult a veterinarian for a program suited to your business operation.

Financing Facility Agricultural Credit Policy Council DA (www.acpc.gov.ph) Land Bank of the Philippines (www.landbank.com) Other Financing Institutions (http://loans.mixph.com)

Marketing Technical Assistance (Training and Seminar) Alternative market outlets should be surveyed even before deciding to start a broiler business to ensure a ready market at the time of harvest. Marketing arrangements with local hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, institutional buyers, and grocery stores with freezers may be made. Producers may form associations or market cooperatives so that they could agree on a common price. Organized producers have bargaining power with regard to their selling prices. Producers are advised to compute which is more profitable to sell, the birds dressed or live, and whether to sell at the farm or in the market. The broilers should be sold at optimum weight (1.6-1.9 kg live weight). Department of Agriculture (www.bpi.da.gov.ph) TRC (www.trc.dost.gov.ph) Philippine Association of Broiler Integrators, Inc. (PABI), Tel: (02) 6341010, 637-3506 Other training centers

source: dti.gov.ph, photo from marketwire.com Read Related Posts: Chicken Poultry Farming Business Guide Guide Why Grass-Fed Poultry is Best Duck Raising Business Guide Business and Skill Courses April 2008

Estimated Income per Batch (42-45 days) Total sales (*480 chickens x 1.6kg @P73/kg farm price) P56, 064.00 Less: Total expenses P42,547.50 Estimated net income P13,516.50

*Net of 4% mortality rate 28 Responses Registration Requirements Business name registration (www.bnrs.dti.gov.ph) >Healthy Benefits of Free-Range Chickens

Posted by EPa in Livestocks

are what you eat. After all, the free-range chickens diet is all natural and varied, while the caged hen eats only what is placed in front of her. Free-range hens are also usually healthier than their cousins kept in crowded cages in commercial poultry houses. The feeds given to commercial hens are the cheapest possible mixture of corn, soy, and/or cottonseed meals, with many types of additives mixed in. These additives often include growth hormones, meat and bone meals, as well as antibiotics and chemicals, like arsenic, to keep the chickens awake longer and producing more. The commercial chicken has a much shorter lifespan due to stress, illness and general disease than does a free-range hen unless, of course, the free-range hen falls prey to a natural predator. Related articles: Raising a Free-Range Sunshine Chicken Free-Range (Sunshine) Chicken Supplier Why Grass-Fed Poultry is Best Raising Sasso Chicken (Free Range)

If you have purchased eggs from a retailer recently, then you know that the most expensive eggs for sale are the ones known as cage-free or free-range. Why should these eggs have a higher value than the average commercial eggs? Part of the reason for this higher value is because these eggs cost more money to produce; however, they are better, healthier eggs all the way around. They have a higher nutritional value and the hens themselves are healthier than the caged birds kept under artificial light and fed a steady commercial diet. True free-range chickens are those that range outdoors on pasture. Meaning they do what all chickens do naturally: eat bugs, greens, and whatever leftovers they can scrounge or scratch up. The challenge for the homesteader, however, comes in the form of keeping and managing a flock of free-range chickens in order to reap the benefit of their eggs. The nutritional value of free-range eggs makes this challenge a worthwhile endeavor for the homesteader wanting to produce higher quality eggs for a healthier diet. Recently, Mother Earth News did an egg study comparing free-range eggs to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient data for commercial eggs. The findings showed that free-range chicken eggs produced the following results: 1/3 less cholesterol 1/4 less saturated fat 2/3 more vitamin A 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids 3 times more vitamin E 7 times more beta-carotene

Fore more information on suppliers and breeders, contact: Solraya Regalado cor. Quirino St. Tel: TechVet: (0917) Sales: Email: Web: solraya.blogspot.com source: www.homestead.org Read Related Posts: Free Seminar on Raising Grass Fed Chicken Pasturing White Chickens Duck Raising in the Tropics Free-Range (Sunshine) Chicken Supplier Various Tips in Raising Broiler Chickens Sunshine (across Regalado gate (02) 8-DOC Chicken Fairview) 417-1800 REY 0917-847-2639 info@solraya.com SM

Besides the obvious nutritional benefits, free-range eggs simply taste better! The most likely cause of the differences between free-range eggs and those from caged, commercial-production hens is the diet the hens consume every day. Basically, you

2 Responses

necessarily be true with the modern breeds under this class. Examples: Leghorn, Minorcas, Anconas, Mikawa. Meat Class to this class belong the breeds that are large, slow movement, quiet and gentle in disposition. Geneticist of the past described them as relatively slow maturing which may not hold true anymore with the present meat breeds. They are generally poorer egg layers and generally lay brown shelled eggs. Examples are: Brahmas, Cochin,Langshans, Comish, White Rocks. General Purpose Class Breeds of Chicken in this class are medium sized good layers and the young are fast growers. They are not s nervous as the egg class but much more active than the meat class. Examples are: New Hampshire, Rhode Island Red, Plymouth rock, Lancaster, Nagoya, Cantonese. The general purpose breeds had its popularity period when the idea of the poultry breeder was to hit both products of eggs and meat in one kind of breed. Later developments proved that specialization of breed purpose is better goal for more efficient production. The general purpose class at present has been modified and developed by breeders in the production of broiler chicks. Fancy class The breeds under this class may be characterized as possessing decided beauty of plumage or form of having a rare unusual appearance. Most of them are raised chiefly as ornamentals or pets by hobbyists, regardless of their value as source of food. Example: Frizzle, Bantams, Long tailed. Fighting Class Since this sport is now legalized in the Philippines it should revolutionalize our original vision that fighting cock breeds has no place place for our study. There are groups of this kinds of chickens now developed by national and international aficionados in this game. Since there are no studies conducted on the breeding and raising of these game fowls, the LAS could not profess any knowledge of what kind and what process of raising will assure a cock to win in the fight. The popular ones are the Ruble, Hulsay, Claret, Oasis

>Broiler Poultry Production Guide Posted by EPa in Livestocks

Chicken broiler and egg production are the most progressive animal enterprises in the Philippines today. The poultry industry in fact began as the backyard enterprise but has shifted to the formation of very large integrated contract farming operations. The growth of poultry industry in the Philippines has been impressive but its problems include inefficient management and the prevalence of many destructive poultry diseases and parasites cannot be ignored. This manual provides technology and management know-how for poultry raising which we hope present poultry raisers and prospective poultry producers may find useful in effectively managing their poultry farms and also help them realize substantial financial returns from their enterprise in this period or high production cost inputs. The Chicken: Classes, Breeds and Varieties The chicken is the most exploited species of poultry, which is utilized for food production in the whole world. Scientific researchers have been done on this species for past centuries and it is still the focus of the present and future experimentation. In the Philippines chicken rank first, while ducks rank second in economic importance as source of meat and eggs. Breed of Chicken can be classified by its utility. This is based on the purpose for which the breed or variety is most efficient. Egg Class The breed belonging to this class is characterized by their comparatively small size. They lay large white shelled eggs, very active and nervous in temperament. They are non-sitters. The earlier selection of geneticist for this class showed record of early maturity that may not

Health and Diseases a. Avian Pest (New castle Disease) Cause: Virus

Transmission: Signs: In young birds gasping, coughing, rattling of the windpipe, hoarse chirping, paralysis, walking backyard and circling In adults, coughing and occasional paralysis, abrupt drop in egg production soft shelled eggs, greenish watery diarrhea Direct contact with the nasal and mouth discharges of infected birds Airborne transmission Through mechanical means such as being carried by sparrows (maya) predators or other birds Human being transmit the disease through infected clothes and shoes

Signs:

Airborne transmission

Tracheal rales, sneezing coughing watery or sticky discharged from the nostrils Foamy exudates in the eyes Feed consumption is reduced and the birds lose weight

Treatment: Broad spectrum antibiotics, either by injection or mixed with feeds or drinking water Pages: 1 2 3 Read Related Posts: Chicken Poultry Farming Business Guide Secrets to Successful Broiler Breeder Management Guide Producing Ready-to-Lay Pullets is Profitable Why Grass-Fed Poultry is Best

Prevention: Vaccination. Consult your veterinarian for a program suited to your operation Treatment: There is no treatment for the disease. In case of an outbreak, the following measures could be adopted to minimized its further spread and effect control of the disease. Isolate sick birds quickly Quarantine the area by regulating persons entering the disease-affected premises of from other farms as well as from one poultry house to another Re-vaccination of the birds if titer (detected by serological test) is already low Thoroughly disinfect the houses and premises. Allow to dry before occupancy Bury dead birds deeply or burn

>Chicken Poultry Farming Business Guide Posted by EPa in Livestocks

b. Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) Cause: Mycoplasma organism or pleuropneumonia like organism (PPLO) Transmission: CRD organism or is egg-borne; contracted exposure with infected flock

Chicken broiler and egg production are the most progressive animal enterprises in the Philippines today. The poultry industry in fact began as a backyard enterprise but has shifted to the formation of very large integrated contract farming operations.The growth of poultry industry in the Philippines has been impressive but its problems include inefficient management and the prevalence of many destructive poultry diseases and parasites cannot be ignored.

The following articles provide technology and management know-how for poultry raising which we hope present poultry raisers and prospective poultry producers may find useful in effectively managing their poultry farms and also help them realize substantial financial returns from their enterprise in this period or high production cost inputs. >Raising a Free-Range Sunshine Chicken Posted by EPa in Livestocks

Portable houses Pasture pens Integrated systems

Fixed Houses Advantages to a fixed house include the relative ease to provide electricity to power automated equipment. The house can also be large in size because it is not moved. Fixed houses open to yards to provide outdoor access, and birds are usually closed in the house at night. This type of production is done by most large free-range poultry companies in the U.S. and is sometimes called semi-intensive. On a small scale, it is the familiar chicken coop and yard. A major disadvantage of this system is that unless the birds are rotated from one yard to another, access to the same ground is continual. When birds stay on the same ground, they damage the vegetation and turn the yard into dirt or mud. Turf damage may be especially bad right around the house, and birds may track mud into the house and dirty the eggs. Excessive pathogens and nutrients can build up in the yard, contributing to disease and pollution. Pasture Pens Pasture pens are small floorless pens that are moved daily, usually by hand, to fresh pasture. These inexpensive shelters are set in a pasture, on a lawn, or in a garden. They are a favorite of small-scale producers due to their low cost and flexibility. Other sources For full article with photos and illustrations, visit this site. If you want to interact and ask questions with raisers and suppliers, visit this active forum. For sunshine chicks supply, materials and advice, check this site.

The reason free-range chicken tastes so good is they are raised outside on pasture rather than in crowded poultry houses. They have constant access to a natural diet and enjoy plenty of fresh air and sunshine. It does not use artificial growth promotants; does not feed meat or bone meal; and does not use antibiotics. Alternative poultry production involves specialty systems such as a cagefree environment or other access to the outdoors as alternatives to conventional poultry housing and cages. Alternative poultry production may be large-scale but is often small-scale and integrated into a diversified farm. Alternative poultry production is an important part of sustainable agriculture to boost farm income while protecting the environment and addressing consumer concerns. Outdoor access is an important feature of most alternative poultry production and allows the birds to express natural behaviors such as foraging and dustbathing. It allows extensive production in which the birds have access to ample space, sunlight, and fresh air a healthy environment that reduces stress. The birds have access to comfortable indoor housing as well as the outdoors and can choose an environment, to maximize welfare. Extensive production is in contrast to intensive production, where birds are permanently housed at a high stocking density. Free-Range Systems Free-range systems vary widely, from large fixed houses with yards to small portable houses that are moved regularly. The main free-range production systems are: Fixed houses

Read Related Posts: Free Seminar on Raising Free-Range Sunshine Chicken Free Seminar on Raising Grass Fed Chicken Seminar on Raising Free-Range Sunshine Chicken Healthy Benefits of Free-Range Chickens

Chicken Poultry Farming Business Guide

1. Egg production (Layers breeding) 2. Meat production (Broilers breeding) 3. Chicken breeding (Hatchery)

79 Responses 1. Yolanda B. Rivera says:

4. Poultry feed production 5. Poultry equipment manufacturing 6. Egg and meat processing, packaging and marketing 2. What type of bird will you be focusing on?

>Poultry farming is a viable business anytime any day; and to be sincere with you, its a business I have been considering for some time now. Below are reasons why I consider poultry farming a profitable business? 3 Factors that makes Poultry Farming a Profitable Business There are a lot of factors that make poultry farming business a profitable one but I will be highlighting only three major factors: 1. Food is one of the basic needs of man. Regardless of the economic situation, human beings must feed and since domestic birds are consumable; that makes poultry farming feasible. 2. My country Nigeria for instance has a population of over 150million and growing; bear it in mind that a huge population means a huge demand for food (egg and meat). 3. With the increased awareness on the health implications of red meat; theres an increased demand for white meat and birds are a source of white meat. But before I go into the details of starting a poultry farming business, I want to emphatically state that the information provided in this article does not in any way replace the need for you to conduct a feasibility study, write a poultry business plan and do your own due diligence. Secondly, the information shared in this article is applicable to any locality; be it USA, Canada, UK, Nigeria, Ghana, etc. Without wasting your time, below is a step by step guide on how to start your own poultry farming business. How to start your own Poultry Farming Business Plan 1. Select your Poultry Niche

Poultry farming can further be classified into the types of birds: 1. Domestic fowl (Broilers and layers) 2. Turkey 3. Guinea fowl 4. Pigeon 5. Duck 6. Goose But for this article, I will be focusing on poultry breeding for egg and meat purposes with respect to the domestic fowl. 3. Start-up Capital Investment

The poultry farming business is capital intensive; depending on the scale, location of your farm and the type of management technology used. A small scale poultry farm being run behind your house may require a capital of between $500 $1,500. A medium scale poultry farm may require $2,000 $5,000 and a large scale poultry farm may require a start-up capital of $10,000 and above. Like I stated earlier, scale is directly proportional to capital. 4. Poultry Location

The poultry industry is a broad niche. There are many sub-sectors in the poultry industry which you can tap into. Below are niches in the poultry business:

A good location is vital to the success and profitability of your poultry farm. An ideal poultry farm should be sited where theres a large availability of cheap land and at the same time; should be close to areas with high population density. Its not advisable to site your poultry farm within a residential area because of the offensive odour it produces.

5.

Housing your birds

There are three methods you can employ with respect to housing your birds. They are:

reside permanently in the farm to monitor and see to the well being of your birds. You will also need security personnel that will monitor the inflow and outflow of people around your farm; and most importantly, guard against theft. Aside these few mentioned, you can add more personnel to suit your business needs. 8. Projected return on investment

1. Extensive system: Range and fold unit 2. Semi Intensive system: Standard semi intensive unit and
straw yard

3. Intensive system:
floor,

i. iii. Straw yard,

Deep litter, ii. Wire and slated iv. Battery cage.

The incubation period of the domestic fowl is 21 days. You can start selling off your birds as early as 8 12 weeks but full maturity is reached between 20 24 weeks. The payback period of a poultry farming business is between 3 5 years. Five Challenges of Starting a Poultry Farming Business

If you are running a poultry farm for commercial purposes and you intend getting the best out of the business; with respect to high birds productivity and efficiency. Then you should consider housing your birds using the intensive system. Note that each of the three housing system has its own advantages and disadvantages. Lastly, your poultry housing structure should be built at a particular angle; taking sunlight and wind into consideration. 6. Poultry equipment and appliances

High start-up capital Longer pay back period Outbreak of diseases Labor intensive Pests and predators

The following equipment may be needed for your poultry farm: 1. Feeders 2. Drinkers 3. Perches 4. Nests 5. Crates 6. Lighting system 7. Waste disposal system 8. Incubator 7. Poultry Farm staffing and manpower

As a final note, if you are interested in learning how to setup and run a profitable poultry farming business in Nigeria, I have prepared a report covering every detail you need to know about operating a poultry business. The report cost N10,000. You can contact me on +2348022628615 to get your own copy. >Pasturing White Chickens Posted by EPa in Livestocks

Operating a poultry farm is not labor intensive if the use of technology is employed. With respect to staffing, the number of manpower needed is also dependent on the size of your farm. But some must haves should be admin officer or manager; who will oversee the day to day running of your business. Your manager can also double as your accountant to cut down cost. It is advisable you have personnel who will

There are a number of reasons why you should try pasturing white chickens. First, the prices of white chicks are far lower than those of colored chicks. If you get them by volume from commercial hatcheries, the price really drops. They are easy to find in poultry supply stores in your area. Accessibility and lower cost make them a winner as these considerations help all of us small farmers.

We used to pasture colored chickens ourselves, but problems with importing parent stocks from bird flu-infected countries caused instability in production. We had to find a solution, and so we experimented, using the white chickensthe same ones used by the commercial poultry industry. At the same time, we were already deep in our advocacy for sustainable organic agriculture, and this was the answer to providing affordable, clean chickens on our tables. Chickens are chickens. Surely, if they were raised naturally from being hatched, then they will learn to live that way. Sec how we did it. Preparing the Brooder First you have to prepare your brooder. This is where you keep the chicks for the first 21 days, until they have developed their feathers and are able to protect themselves. It is important to have good air circulation in your brooder. The design of the housing is important as you want it to be airy, to get a lot of sunlight, and provide easy access to the range for the chickens. We brood in the same housing that will shelter our chickens while they are on the range. Note the thin GI sheet around the housing. This is to protect them from predators like rats, which will slip when they try to climb it. The housing is screened all around so the chickens will be protected from other predators like cats. For beddings, we use fresh rice hulls as these absorb moisture and keep the chicks warm and dry. For heating, you may use gas heaters, infrared brooding bulbs, or charcoal-fed ones. How do you know when your chickens are getting the right temperature? Be observant and use your eyes. If they are far from the source of heat and seem to be trying to get air from outside, they are too hot. If they are cold, they will all snuggle together to maximize body heat and crowd around the source of heat. This is dangerous as they may trample each another, especially at night. The temperature is right when they are happily moving around and playing. Feeding the Chickens

From hatching until harvest, they are given probiotics in their drinking water. We make our own on the farm, and the sludge, after we harvest the fermented juice, is given to them to eat or added to their feeds. They are fed chick booster without the addition of antibiotics or hormones, ad libitum for 14 days. Then, the cages are opened so they will have access to living grass.They will want young and soft grass to cat, which arc high in nutrients. In the first few days, make them eat from flat surfaces like newspapers or basins. They are not yet familiar with feeders and by instinct, will peck at ground level. Their normal action is to scratch and look for food. The chicks will eat stone grits. This will help the gastric juices and the strong muscles of the gizzard to digest the food intake. (See photo above for what the gizzard of a newly slaughtered chicken looks like.) After 14 days, when they are let out onto the range, they are just fed with feeds in the afternoon. We supplement these with food with high nutrients and protein like azolla, kangkong, kamote, and alugbati. Starting on the 21st day, broiler starter will be introduced and fed until harvest time. Other Tips Give them a lot of shade and you will have happy chickens that will be healthy and able to fend for themselves in the range. We use nets (you can see some of them in the photos with this article). These make things easy when you rotate your ranging areas. You just transfer the nets and hang them from nearby posts or trees. Perching is a natural behavior for chickens of any color. Sand bathing is a natural way of eliminating external parasites and allows chickens to preen. Adequate numbers of feeders and sources of clean drinking water are critical. Make sure that there are enough,and that all chickens are able to eat the same amount at any given time. This is one of the causes of unequal growth, when some are left to eat after the others. Segregate the weak chicks. Make sure that your chickens get a good ranging area of about 1 square meter per head. The pasture should be easy for the chickens to get to. The door should be wide and easy to find.

Now, notice what healthy looking chickens you have? Their combs and wattles should be bright red. We harvest at 80 days as at that age, the taste has developed and they yield about 1.9 kgs live weight. When we shifted from colored to white, a number of people we know followed our example and have been very happy with results. Among them are the brother and sisters team of RJ Ranario, Rachelle Plaza, and Ritchel Ranario of Malipayo Lechon Manok in Butuan City. They grow their own chickens to 45 days. Author: Sandy & Doc Rey , Email: info@solraya.com Web: solraya.blogspot.com, FB: facebook.com/pages/SunshineChicken/68337656402?ref=ts eGroup: tech. groups.yahoo.com/group/sanshinechicken Read Related Posts: Duck Raising in the Tropics Various Tips in Raising Broiler Chickens White Chickens Now Free-Ranged How to Build a Homemade Automatic Chicken Feeder Alternative Feeds for Poultry and Pig

Maria Elena Gonzalez reports that in Cuba when there is a shortage of poultry feed, farmers look around their home and farm for wastes or any crops that arent being used. They try to find things that can replace expensive feeds and complete the birds diet. And they have some useful ideas. For example, they add pumpkin (squash, gourds) to the birds feed. They chop and dry pumpkins and feed them to laying hens with good results. Pumpkins have as much or more protein and fat as maize and cassava flours which are also used to feed chickens. Taro is another plant used to feed poultry in Cuba. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a tuber also known as dasheen or cocoyam. You can use taro as a substitute for maize or other grains. Grind the taro into flour. Add up to 15% of this flour to the diet of chicks between the ages of one day to four weeks. Of course you must also have enough protein, vitamins and minerals in the feed. Maria in Cuba also reminds farmers that to get a good start in life, chickens must eat well from an early age. Chickens gain weight quickly they can gain 10 times their weight in the first four weeks of life. And next, from Mr. Ignacio Obrero in the Philippines, a word about pig feed. Ignacio says that many farmers believe that pigs will only grow properly with commercial feeds. This is not true. In many areas where farmers cannot afford expensive feeds they are using local plants as feed substitutes. And they are getting good results. One of these plants is cassava (Mannihot esculenta). It can be used to replace maize or other grains. The farmers gather cassava tubers, leaves and the juicy parts of the stem. They boil them together in water. They add a little salt, and a little amount of fish meal. The fish meal provides protein which is an essential part of the pigs diet. So this becomes an easy, cheap feed for the pig. And to have a steady supply, some farmers plant cassava on a monthly basis. This way, they can harvest cassava any time of the year and use it as livestock feed Remember that your animal needs a variety of different feeds. Give animals plenty of grain or a grain substitute, a source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and adequate water at all times. source: farmradio.org, photo from walkcarmarthenshire.com

>Alternative Feeds for Poultry and Pig Posted by EPa in Livestocks

If you keep chickens or ducks or pigs, getting enough feed can sometimes be a challenge. There may be a shortage of feed in your country. Or it may simply be that animal feed is too expensive to buy. So you have to find some different, cheaper feeds.

Share Read Related Posts: Pork Sisig Recipe (Commercial Food Business) Duck Raising Business Guide Raising a Free-Range Sunshine Chicken Alternative Feeds for Beef Cattle Reasons Why Some Piglets Are Born Dead

Start-up costs for the farm Construction expenses Animal feeds Operational expenses that need to be paid urgently.

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It is also easy to apply for these loans, as there are lenders that can be found online aside from the local loan providers in your area. The terms and conditions of these loans can also be customized for your needs and your circumstances. You can also choose from secured and unsecured poultry loans. Some lenders will also offer you advice from experts on the poultry business, aside from the monetary aid that you will be getting. Getting Your Poultry Farm Compliant With Regulations Another important preparation is to comply with regulations. If you plan on engaging in free range farming, then you have to make sure that the operations of your farm and the treatment of your chickens comply with regulations that are formulated for businesses like yours. Check with your local government agencies regulating laws and regulations promulgated for poultry farms. Adequate Medical Coverage for Your Chickens Chickens are just like your children and other animals. To ensure continuous production of chicken and eggs, your chickens should be regularly checked by veterinarians to ensure their health. Sick chickens will negatively affect your production, so it is important to have adequate medical coverage for your poultry animals. FAQs Q. How much floor space required per chicken? A. It depends with the chicken type. 3 sq ft needed for light chicken and 4 sq ft required for general purpose chicken. Q. How many types of chicken sheds are used these days? A. Most popular ones are the cage sheds and floor sheds are the ancient ones. Q. What is the shed area required for 10,000 birds? A. 30,000 sq ft house is needed for 10,000 chickens, if you prefer cage type shed then the built-up area will be 4000 sq ft to 7500 sq ft depending on the type of cage you use in your poultry farm. Average space needed for a bird in cage type shed is from .4 - .75 sq ft.

>How to Start a Poultry Farm

Poultry farming has proven to be very lucrative; hence you might have been tempted to start one as a form of business and source of income. This article will help you go through the steps and will teach you how to start a poultry farm business and get a share on the market Chickens are already an integral part of human life. Chickens are one of the major sources of animal meat, aside from pork and fish. As a business, they offer an opportunity for people to earn big thats why there are many poultry farms out there. One of the major customers for poultry farms are the major fast-food companies, although some of them have their own chicken farms to supply their needs. Dont get behind the profits, and start setting up your poultry farms now. It is not hard to do so. Here are some useful tips that can help you along your way. Get Financing for your Poultry Farm to Start Quickly Setting up a poultry farm requires a lot of money, as poultry farming requires an expanse of land a hectare or more wide. You would also have to procure a large herd of chickens that are more than hundreds in number in order to generate the proper returns in income. Fortunately, you can avail yourself of loans that are offered to those that are starting or even those that are already in the business. The loans can be used to cover these aspects of the business:

>Layer Farm Business

Layer Farm Startup Cost Production farming, by the way, is a costly venture, entailing machineries, equipments, housing, medications, licenses and permits, not to mention buying the necessary layers (laying hens) in order to have a successful start. Must Know You need to know basic knowledge in bio-security (preventive and curative measures for chicken diseases,) breed choosing, chick placement, cooling systems, cooling temperatures, feeding, harvesting of layers, heating systems, heating temperatures, lighting conditions, molting, vaccines, vaccination schedules, waste disposal and of course, how to operate the machineries and equipments. You also need to know when and where you can market your eggs and how to transport them for delivery. There are also egg selling regulations, and details as to how you can price your products according to egg size, etc. This is hardly a one man operation. That means that your need to train your people with production farming as well. Farm sanitation and environmental impact of the egg farm are areas you should also look into, because there are federal laws regarding the disposal of animal waste. For small scale egg producers, organic chicken farming is a better option as opposed to non-organic chicken farming. For one thing, organic farm eggs can be sold at a higher price than non-organic eggs, and you have less competition from large-scale poultry farms. Also, there is an increasing demand for organic produce, as opposed for the decreasing popularity of commercial produce. And lastly, chickens organically raised are later harvested and sold as broilers, giving you organic chicken meat as by product of your organic chicken farming. If your farm intends to package your organic broilers as well, you would need additional equipment such as an eviscerator, defeatherer, stun baths, etc. On a more practical note, you might want to sell your live layers to other poultry merchants and let them do the chicken processing.

Egg farming is a pricey business venture, but it has its rewards. Eggs are always in demand, the market for organic eggs is growing, and at the end of their run, you can sell your laying hens to organic chicken merchants who process chicken meat. However, in order to start your own egg farm, you need to have substantial background in production farming, not to mention other necessities like machineries, equipments, housing, medications, licenses and permits. You will also need additional farm hands. Layer farming is more commonly known as chicken egg farming. The term layer is the shortened form for laying hens or for female chickens that are raised and housed specifically for their egg laying abilities. Although most farm fresh eggs come from large-scale poultry farms, a niche is opening now to those who are setting up small-scale organic chicken farms. If you are thinking of setting up your own business in egg production, there are a few things you have to know. Who Need Eggs First of all, eggs are always in demand, both from direct consumers and businesses that use eggs for their products. Direct consumers may include groceries, restaurants and even fast food outlets. Businesses that use eggs for their end-products include bakeries, dough makers, biscuit producers, and processed food developers. The market for eggs is never wanting. However, in order to start your own egg farm, you need to have substantial background in production farming. Egg Production Size Before the commercialization of egg products, chickens were allowed to wander freely in the farmers backyards, scratching at the ground during the day and housed in the barns at night. Only excess eggs were sold in the market, which left pricing at the sole discretion of the traders. These days, eggs are being sold by the millions in the US alone and this is on a daily basis. In order for you, as a new business owner, to acquire a respectable profit from the layer farming business industry, you need to produce enough eggs to sell enough that your potential clients can actually distinguish your product from the competition. Background in production farming is essential.