A large number of private farm owners are thinking about whether they should create a small poultry farm as a stable source of income. However, such an enterprise requires significant investments. Experts estimate that to open a mini-poultry farm, you will have to invest about 600,000, if there is already a place to keep poultry. The cost of the project will depend on the scale and volume of the farm. Let's look at the main aspects of such a business and what its profitability and costs are.
First steps
Starting a poultry farm usually starts with raising chickens, ducks or geese for meat and eggs. Experience shows that it is best to start on a small scale, say 1,000 birds, and gradually increase the number, focusing on demand and opportunities. The main thing is to provide customers with environmentally friendly products that meet high standards.
A farm can specialize or deal with several types of birds for a wider range. The most important thing is to properly equip the poultry house, organize the feed base, create comfortable conditions for the birds and take into account measures to maintain their health. Compliance with veterinary and sanitary standards is the basis of success, because the quality of the products depends on it.
What investments are needed to get started?
The size of the initial investment depends on the selected type of bird, the conditions of provision and the number of livestock. For example, quail breeding does not require large premises, but they are picky about food and require careful care, because small birds are more susceptible to diseases.
To start a poultry farm for 200 heads, it is necessary to provide:
| Cost items | Amount (UAH) |
| Document preparation | 5,000 |
| Purchase of young animals (200 pcs.) | 40,000 |
| Poultry house arrangement | 182,000 |
| In general | 227 000 |
In the process of breeding poultry, additional problems will arise every month. withbatons:
| Expense items | Amount (UAH) |
| Purchase of feed (200 heads) | 15 000 |
| Payment of utilities | 10 000 |
| Staff salary | 40 000 |
| In general | 65 000 |
These costs are sometimes supplemented by costs for veterinary services, vaccinations, or transportation of poultry.
What is the profitability of such a business?
Let's say you raise poultry to sell eggs. According to typical calculations, this plan can generate income:
| Sources of income | Number | Cost | Together |
| Egg sales | 6,000/year | from 80 UAH/dozen | 48 000 |
Selling poultry meat brings an even higher income, but the amount depends on the breed and the volume of farming.
Profitability and risks
Poultry farming is a business that pays off quickly, as the main costs are in the initial stages. Considering that the laying hens subsequently produce new offspring, the initial investment in chicks is reduced.
However, there are also certain risks - diseases. Each species of bird has its own weaknesses, and one disease can harm the entire livestock. It is also critically important to establish reliable sales of products at the start-up stage, because without regular buyers, the farm may find itself in a difficult situation.
Advertising and marketing strategy
Market research
One of the key stages in developing a marketing strategy is market analysis. This includes studying the target audience and demand for poultry farm products. It is important to take into account the behavioral characteristics of potential customers, their preferences and the specifics of the poultry market in the selected region. Analysis of competitors and key trends in this industry will allow you to form a strategy that will be as effective as possible for promotion.
Brand and unique offering formation
To stand out in the market, it is necessary to determine the core values of the brand and its competitive advantages. The uniqueness of the farm may lie in the high quality of products, ecological methods of raising poultry, the use of natural feed or other factors that will attract the attention of consumers. The formation of a clear and attractive brand will help build trust in the products among customers.
Choosing promotion channels
To reach your target audience, you need to choose the right marketing channels. The most effective tools include:
- Social media — advertising through Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms that are suitable for attracting attention to the farm.
- Website — creating a site with a detailed description, terms of cooperation, and contact information.
- Participation in exhibitions and fairs - direct contact with customers, demonstration of benefits.
- Print publications - publishing ads in specialized magazines or newspapers that are popular among the target audience.
Brand visualization plays an important role in attracting customers. It is worth creating high-quality advertising materials: brochures, videos, packaging with the farm logo. This should convey the core values of the brand and ensure attractiveness for buyers.
Cost/income calculation for a small factory with 60 chickens
Loman Brown laying hens start laying at 15 weeks of age. They are productive for two years, after which they are sold for meat. The main items of expenditure include:
- I will buy poultry. 60 chickens will cost about 10,000.
- Feed. The cost of compound feed is 2,000 per month for such a livestock.
- Additional expenses. Sawdust for bedding, vitamins, calcium, and other supplements require another 2,500 hryvnias per month.
Therefore, maintaining 60 heads will cost approximately 14,500 per month.
In terms of income, one chicken provides 25 eggs per month. At an average price of 10 hryvnias per egg, the total monthly income will be 15,000. The net profit is 8,500 per month. In two years, the livestock will provide additional income from the sale of meat.
Calculating income from a mini poultry farm
The calculations are based on 500 laying hens. This number seems quite realistic for a small farm. From this number, you can get about 430 eggs per day. Of these, 30 will remain for incubation or personal use. Thus, 400 eggs will remain for sale every day.
The average price for a home-made egg is approximately 10 hryvnias. Having sold the entire volume, you can get 4,000 daily income. For a month, this will be 120,000. However, regular expenses should also be taken into account, in particular for feed and maintenance. For 500 heads, these expenses will be approximately 40,000 per month. Therefore, the net profit will be 80,000. This is a rather significant amount, especially for residents of small cities, where average salaries are much lower.
Payback period
The initial investment usually pays off in two years. This depends on when the chickens start laying. If you buy young birds at the age of one month, profitability can occur even faster. However, before you rejoice in profitability, you should consider the risks. Among them are possible problems with sales or the death of the bird.
Ways to increase income
To increase the profitability of an enterprise, you can use the following methods:
- Sales of hatching eggs. They cost three times more than regular ones.
- Selling young stock. One-month-old chickens cost 120 per head.
- Increasing the scale of production. Expanding the livestock and reaching a new level will allow you to receive even greater income.
How to set up sales?
The sale of products grown on a poultry farm can be carried out through various channels, each of which has its own advantages.
One of the most common ways is to sell eggs and meat at local markets. Not many documents are required to obtain a place at the market, since all necessary certificates are issued during registration. The cost of renting such a retail outlet is usually not high.
The main advantage of this method is the ability to quickly find customers. If the product meets their expectations, then thanks to “word of mouth” you can get many new customers who will come on the recommendations of friends.
In addition to markets, it is profitable to cooperate with cafes and restaurants, supplying them with fresh meat or eggs. Another modern tool is to create your own website or pages on social networks so that more people learn about the farm. The Internet allows you not only to expand the range of customers, but also to receive orders remotely.
Care features and recommendations
To avoid losses, it is important to carefully monitor the condition of the bird. Problems with adaptation, malnutrition or disease can significantly reduce productivity. For prevention, it is recommended to use vitamin complexes and adhere to the feeding regimen.
During the first two months after the start of laying, you should be prepared for the fact that the eggs will be small in size. This is a normal process, because the birds are still young. Some buyers even prefer such eggs, considering them more useful.
To increase the profitability of the farm, you can gradually increase the number of chickens. For example, 120 chickens will provide twice as much income for the same cost of feed. It is also worth considering the possibility of selling young stock, which will open up additional sources of income.
Poultry farming is a promising area of business, the profitability of which reaches about 70%. Growing meat breeds, broilers or turkeys, is especially profitable. And the established sale of eggs and meat at the same time can significantly increase income.
