How To Start A Poultry Farming In Zimbabwe

Starting a poultry farm in Zimbabwe is very easy and fast irrespective of your low-budget or lack of knowledge.
You don’t need to be a graduate to do this business, neither would you need a year training to be equipped.
Poultry farming is one of the easiest and lucrative livestock farming out there.
The benefits of this business are in tons and we are definitely not kidding.
You don’t need any degree to do this business, you don’t even need anything at all.
Poultry farming is being ventured into by few, and believe us, they aren’t producing to meet market demand. You going out there to fill that gap will certainly make you huge cash at the end.
Benefits of Poultry Business
1. Rich in protein – Chicken is one of the most sought after white meat and will continue to be as long as meats are consumed.
It’s rich in protein for healthy mind and body..it’s essential for growth and body development, not discarding the fact that its consumption multiplies by ten during festive periods or special occasions as long as Africa is concerned.
Everyone is a potential customer and that alone makes the market a huge one. There are restaurants, eateries fast foods joints that will be more than glad to get someone who’s read to supply these chickens. This is just a tip of the iceberg.
2. Chicken grows fast – If there’s a livestock that grows the fastest, we will give it to chicken. Within 21 days, the eggs have already hatched.
Give them 28 weeks more, they are ready to tour round the market and make cash for you. This means that you’ll be recovering your capital and counting your gains within 28 weeks of starting up.
3. Large Market – The demand for chicken will never diminish. Instead, it’s fast growing beyond what could be predicted.
4. Egg market – Apart from the chicken, the egg is another money making machine of its own.
The price of egg is high above the ceiling, that gives more reasons why this business should be given a second thought
.
The benefits of poultry farming is uncountable.
How do one set up a poultry farm? What are the requirements for setting up a poultry farm?
1. Business plan –
This is definitely the first step that should be taken before every other thing. You need to put lots of things into consideration before setting out.
For instance, the type of birds to rear. Let’s presume it’s chicken cause that’s the focus of this article. For chicken, you’ll have to decide which aspect that might work for you.
Will you go for broilers (meat production), Layers (egg production), Hatchery (hatching new chicks) or poultry feed making? Depending on your capacity and ability, you can rear both broilers and layers at the same time.
But the same can’t be for hatchery. Choose your area of interest and kick off.
2. Get a land –
Once your business plan have been done with, then it’s time to get a land and be down to business.
The location of the site shouldn’t be far away from the city.
There have to be easy access to market. If you don’t have a land of your own, buying a land or using a little space in your compound is advisable provided it doesn’t cause any disturbance to the environment.
3. Getting a structure –
Structure is another important aspect. Here in Zimbabwe, the most popular is Deep litter, Half litter and half slats, Battery and Semi-fold. Your finance might decide the type to go for.
4. A day chicks –
The last step will be buying a day chicks for rearing.
Make sure you buy from a healthy poultry farm and that it’s breeds are of high yield and quality.
After 28 days, you’ll be able to recover more than the amount invested.
Cost of setting up a poultry farm:
1. Small scale poultry farm at the back of your resident, with over 30 birds will take about $50 to start.
2. A medium poultry farm, with land and structure, with numerous other materials will take about $3500 and above to start up.
3. Large scale or intensive poultry farming that requires high level of professionalism and expertise will take over $10,000 to set up.
Below are items you will need to kick off fully:
Feeders, Drinkers, Perches. Nests, Crates, Lighting system, Waste disposal system, Incubator, Heaters or brooders, Egg tray, Cages and coops.
These are steps to follow in order To Start A Poultry Farming In Zimbabwe