How To Start Chicken Farming In South Africa
What is Chicken Farming?
Poultry farming is the form of animal husbandry which raises domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese to produce meat or eggs for food. Poultry – mostly chickens – are farmed in great numbers. More than 60 billion chickens are killed for consumption annually.
How To Start Chicken Farming In South Africa
1. Select the sector that suits your interest, this includes-
- Meat production (through broilers breeding)
- Eggs production (through layers breeding)
- Production of poultry feed
- Equipment manufacture required in poultry farming
- Eggs and meat processing
- Chicken hatching
- Packaging and marketing of eggs and meat
Depending upon one’s interest and feasibility, the entrepreneur can select more than one section to start the business.
2. Select the type of birds you want to breed and raise in your farm. Initially, it is advisable to select from limited types of broilers and layers for meat and egg production. As the business grows, one can add more variety of birds depending upon the demand and profitability.
3. Select the poultry farm location. It is advisable to locate it not too far away from the place of consumption of goods instead of creating a logistic nightmare and increasing the cost of transportation. Finalize the place in advance from where the operations can be managed conveniently.
4. It is important to name your poultry farm and register it according to state laws. It also is necessary to create a logo and a website for your business, if you intend to market your products online and supply it to distant places.
5. Arrange the finances. Poultry business is not a capital intensive business and requires limited capital amount in the beginning. Funds are required for various purposes, including buying/renting land, equipment, hiring staff, birds, raw-material, manage cash-flow, paying salary, etc. To arrange funds, one can apply for loans from banks and other financial institutions, including government schemes like MUDRA.
6. Marketing your products among the target audience is necessary. Marketing is tricky, and different modes of communication can be employed to create a buzz about your product.
7. After marketing, supplying the product to consumers is essential. Consumers can be retailers, shop vendors, wholesale markets, restaurants, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is chicken business profitable in South Africa?
Starting a poultry farming business in South Africa is a very lucrative project. Demand for poultry is very high in South Africa, exceeding 2 million tons per year. In South Africa, the per capita consumption of broiler chicken is higher than all other meats.
How much does it cost to start poultry farming in South Africa?
On average, it could cost you between R20,000 to 50,000 to start your own chicken farm, depending on how big or small you’re starting. It costs between R38 to R40 to grow a day-old chick to a point of sale, and one box of 100 day-old chicks costs between R850 to R950.
How many bags of feed can 100 broilers consume?
How many bags of feed for 100 broilers? How many bags of feed for 100 broilers for 6 weeks? A broiler would consume an average of 4.25 kg from day old to the end of the 6th week. So, 100 broilers would consume (4.25 X 100) = 425 kg or 17 bags of feed for 6 weeks.
How do I register a poultry farm in South Africa?
Visit the DAFF website at daff.gov.za or register with PDMA at poultrydiseases.co.za, or phone 012 529 8298.
How much does it cost to raise 100 chickens in South Africa?
How much does it cost to raise 100 chickens in South Africa? Depending on where you are in the country, a box of 100 day-old chicks will cost you between R850 to R950. If you’re buying 500 chicks from Momubaghan – who hatches her own – you’d need R4,200.
Is egg farming profitable in South Africa?
Eggs are a key ingredient in many cooking processes thus making them a key feature of day to day meals. Starting a poultry egg farming business in South Africa is very profitable. The other beauty of the layers farming business lies in the fact that it’s not labour intensive.
How do I sell my chicken eggs in South Africa?
Farming chicken eggs is nice but how are you going to sell them? You will have to first package them into egg trays. Doing some branding like including your logo could be very beneficial to you. Approach grocery stores like Spar and Pick N Pay and try to sell them your eggs.
How long does a chicken take to grow?
Some chicken species grow more rapidly than others based on the genetics of the breed. For instance, many meat chickens grow quickly, while egg layers might be slower to develop. Ultimately, it depends on the hen—but the average length of time for growth is between 90 and 100 days.
Are broilers profitable?
Broiler poultry farming is a very lucrative and established business. Many people are doing this business in both small scale and commercially for making profits. Generally, the poultry birds which are raised for meat production is called ‘broiler’.
How many eggs does a broiler chicken lay per day?
The hens will lay 9 to 10 eggs each day. In this way you can even start your own small business. Of the 10 eggs you can sell 4 to pay for the feed of the hens.
How much is a live chicken in South Africa?
The real FTRPS of fresh whole chicken increased on average by 32.47% from R24. 15/kg in November 2020 to R31.98/kg in March 2021, while, the real farm value share of fresh whole chicken decreased by 14.44% from February 2021 to March 2021.
How much does it cost to slaughter a chicken in South Africa?
The average slaughter fee charged by abattoirs was R5.72 per bird.
How long should broilers eat starter feed?
Broiler chicks require broiler starter feed for the first four weeks of their life. The broiler starter feed should be at least 20 percent protein, preferably 23 percent protein. After four weeks, you should feed a 19 percent protein feed (broiler developer or finisher).