contract poultry farming business plan

Poultry Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Poultry Farm Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their poultry farms. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a poultry farm business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

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What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your poultry farm as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a poultry farm, or grow your existing poultry farm, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your poultry farm in order to improve your chances of success. Your poultry farming business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Poultry Farms

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a poultry farm are personal savings, credit cards, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans, bank loans, and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and USDA FSA loans are the most common funding paths for poultry farm.

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How to write a business plan for a chicken farm.

If you want to start a poultry farm or expand your current one, you need a business plan. We detail each section of a traditional business plan for a poultry farming business.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of poultry farm you are operating and its status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a poultry farm business that you would like to grow, or are you operating poultry farm businesses in multiple locations?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the poultry farm industry. Discuss the type of poultry farm you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of poultry farm you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of poultry farms:

• Breeder Farms : this type of poultry farm produces hatching eggs for delivery to the hatchery. After the 21 day incubation period, the hatchery then delivers the baby chicks to the broiler houses.
• Broiler Farms: this type of farm produces a 2.5 lb. to 8 lb. bird in 4 to 8 weeks which is processed for various types of retail sale to consumers, grocery stores or fast food chains as whole birds, cut-up breast, wings, thigh, drumsticks, deboned breast meat, or further processed pieces.
• Pullet Farms: this type of poultry farm produces pullets and roosters to be delivered to a breeder hen house at 20-22 weeks old when they are sexually mature to breed and lay eggs.

In addition to explaining the type of poultry farming business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of chickens and/or turkeys produced, number of production contracts, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the poultry farm industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the poultry farm industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your poultry farming business plan:

• How big is the poultry farm industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your poultry farm business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your target market.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your poultry farming business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: processors, grocery stores, and restaurants.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of poultry farm business you operate. Clearly, processors would respond to different marketing promotions than restaurants, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most poultry farm businesses primarily serve customers living in their same region, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other poultry farm businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes producers of other meat such as beef, pork, or fish, as well as producers of meat alternatives. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other poultry farms with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be poultry farms located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What kinds of poultry do they produce (breeders, broilers, pullets)?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you use superior production methods?
• Will you provide services that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a poultry farm business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of poultry farm company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to traditional poultry, will you provide organic or cage-free poultry?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the products and services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your poultry farm company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your poultry farm located near a processing facility, near a transportation hub, etc. Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your poultry farm marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in trade papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local agriculture extension offices
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your poultry farm, including animal care / feeding, flock supervision, animal transportation, sourcing feed, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sign your 20th production contract, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your poultry farm to a new location.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your poultry farm’s ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing poultry farms. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing farms or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you supply 50 restaurants, or produce 2,000 birds for processing each month? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your poultry farming business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a poultry farm business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your farm title or lease, or blueprints of the production facility.  

Putting together a business plan for your poultry farm is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the poultry farm industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful poultry farming business.  

Poultry Farm Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my poultry farm business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Poultry Farm Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of poultry farm business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a poultry farm business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of poultry farm businesses?

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Poultry Farm business plan?

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Poultry Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Poultry Farm Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Poultry Farm business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Poultry Farms.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Poultry Farming business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Smith Poultry Farm is a new farm business located in Mason City, Iowa. The business is a newly established farm founded by John and Sue Smith. As native Iowans, the couple has spent their life in the farming industry as their families have established farms throughout Iowa. Currently, there is a poultry shortage throughout the midwestern United States as some farms have been forced to shut down their business due to rising costs, labor shortage, and higher technology standards. John and Sue have decided to take this opportunity to alleviate the poultry shortage as well as finally establish the farm they have been planning to do for the past six years.

As native Iowans, John and Sue have already recruited a team of farmhands that have extensive experience working in poultry farms. Most of them have been recently laid off from other poultry farms that have shut down their operations.

John and Sue plan on starting with 5,000 chickens, 500 turkeys, and 100 ducks on 10 acres of land. Their business operations will be centered around daily processes and procedures to tend to the chickens and prepare them for packaging for resale and distribution.

Product Offering

The following are the products that Smith Poultry Farm will provide:

• Chicken for consumption
• Turkey for consumption
• Ducks for consumption

Customer Focus

Smith Poultry Farm will target all residents residing in northern Iowa and throughout the state. They will target families, individuals, supermarkets, large retail chains, and restaurants.

Management Team

Smith Poultry Farm will be owned and operated by John and Sue Smith. They will recruit a very experienced and knowledgeable operator to manage the day-to-day operations of the poultry farm.

John Smith was born and raised on a local farm and has been working in farms most of his life. He left to pursue his agriculture degree from Iowa State and returned to work full-time at his father’s large farm. That farm produces beef, poultry, pork, and vegetables. Once he married Sue, the couple decided that they would begin to save up to pursue a farm of their own.

Sue Smith was raised on a farm as well. Once she graduated from high school, she attended Iowa State to pursue a degree in Business Administration. It was there where she met John and planned for their future farm where he would manage the farm operations and she would be in charge of the financial management and administration of the poultry farm operations.

Success Factors

Smith Poultry Farm will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Ownership has extensive experience and knowledge in the poultry farming industry.
• Owners will invest in the latest technology and equipment to make their poultry farm the most superior in the Midwest.
• Smith Poultry Farm will breed high quality chickens, turkeys, and ducks in order to produce the freshest and quality poultry.

Financial Highlights

Smith Poultry Farm is seeking $500,000 in debt financing to launch its property management business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the farm land and purchasing the necessary equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, mortgage, and marketing costs for the poultry farm. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Purchase 10 acres of farmland: $100,000
• Farm equipment, supplies, and materials: $100,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $50,000
• Working capital: $100,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Smith Poultry Farm.

Company Overview

Who is Smith Poultry Farm?

Smith Poultry Farm is a new poultry farm business located in Mason City, Iowa. The business is a newly established poultry farm founded by John and Sue Smith. As native Iowans, the couple has spent their life in the farming industry as their families have established farms throughout Iowa. Currently, there is a poultry shortage throughout the midwestern United States as some farms have been forced to shut down their business due to rising costs, labor shortage, and higher technology standards. Growing up in the farming industry, John and Sue have decided to take this opportunity to alleviate the poultry shortage as well as finally establish the farm they have been planning to do for the past six years. The couple plans to raise chickens, turkeys, and ducks to produce poultry for food consumption as well as eggs. Once the business is established, the couple will add more birds to the farm and purchase additional land.

As native Iowans, John and Sue have already recruited a team of farmhands that have extensive experience working in poultry farms. Most of them have been recently laid off from other poultry farms that have shut down their operations. John and Sue have already identified the lead farmhand who will assist John in the day to day farm operations oversight.

Smith Poultry Farm History Smith Poultry Farm is owned and operated by John and Sue Smith, Iowa natives who have extensive experience in farm operations and business administration. John has worked for his father’s large farm for most of his life and wants to finally pursue his own poultry farm since a number of poultry farms have ceased operations due to increased labor and distribution costs. John has already pursued a number of local grocery stores, large retail stores, and restaurants to have contracts to be their sole poultry distributor.

Since incorporation, Smith Poultry Farm has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Smith Poultry Farm, LLC to transact business in the state of Iowa.
• Has 6 contracts in place to provide poultry for local restaurants, grocery stores, and large retail chains.
• Reached out to numerous individuals and households to purchase their household’s poultry directly from Smith Poultry Farm.
• Began recruiting a staff of farmhands to assist in the day to day operations of the poultry farm.

Smith Poultry Farm Products

The following will be the products Smith Poultry Farm will provide:

Industry Analysis

Customer analysis, demographic profile of target market.

Smith Poultry Farm will target all residents of  Mason City and the surrounding states. The target market will consist of households, grocery stores, restaurants, and large retail chains.

The precise demographics for Mason City, Iowa are:

• 503,642 residents
• 310,000 households
• 1,000 restaurants
• 500 grocery stores
• 6 large retail grocery stores

Customer Segmentation

Smith Poultry Farm will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Individuals and households
• Grocery Stores
• Restaurants
• Large Grocery Chains

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Smith Poultry Farm will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Myson Poultry Farm

Myson Poultry Farm is a modern, multi-national, protein-focused food company that produces approximately 20% of the beef, pork, and chicken in the United States. Along with its subsidiaries, the company operates a food company worldwide. The company began during the Great Depression when the eldest Myson began selling chickens. A few decades later, Myson’s son grew it into the large company it is today and is one of the largest poultry producers and distributors in the world.

By investing in technology, Myson was able to grow the brand. Through the development of better feeds and better disease control methods, chickens were maturing more quickly. These improvements, combined with increased competition, meant lower prices for consumers and households were able to purchase their poultry products in larger quantities.

Iowa Poultry Farm

Iowa Poultry Farms started in the 1920s when Liam Nelson sold and traded eggs by the dozen as a means to put food on the table for his family. Four generations later, the Nelson family has grown the business year-over-year to continue to meet the changing needs of the egg and pullet industry. More than 90 years of experience has established Iowa Poultry Farm as a well-respected pullet and hatching business as well as a reliant commercial egg producer under the current leadership.

The strength of Iowa Poultry Farm began when master plans for growth from the late 1980s to present day have produced new and improved pullet production facilities that have the capacity to accommodate the growth of the majority of the pullets in NPF’s proprietary facilities. Recent capital development has been invested in hatchery and breeder facilities that have the capacity to produce up to 9 million female chicks per year as well as supplementary aviary growing facilities for both cage-free and floor-grown conventional pullets.

Iowa Poultry Farm continues to innovate as a pullet and hatching business under the leadership of Frank and his son, Brett.

Good Cluck Poultry Farm

Good Cluck Poultry Farm maintains more than 50,000 breeders on its company owned farms. The company currently hatches and sells 79 standard chicken breeds/varieties, 58 breeds/varieties of bantams, 9 breeds of ducks, 3 breeds of geese, and 4 breeds/varieties of guineas. In addition, Good Cluck has available, as a service to its customers, 9 heritage breeds of turkeys, pheasants, and chukar.

Good Cluck certainly has good luck. While many hatcheries have been forced to close, Good Cluck Poultry Farm has become a leader in producing non-commercial poultry annually, selling more than six million items of baby poultry.

Good Cluck’s full list of products are white egg layers, brown egg layers, colored egg layers, standard assortments, broilers, crested chickens, feather legged bantams, bantam assortments, clean leg bantams, ducks, geese, guineas, turkeys, pheasants, chukar, and supplies.

Competitive Advantage

Smith Poultry Farm will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Ownership has extensive experience and knowledge in the poultry farming industry and has over 20 years of experience managing poultry farm operations
• Smith Poultry Farm will breed high quality chickens, ducks, and turkeys in order to produce the freshest and quality poultry.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Smith Poultry Farm will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• All farming practices will utilize the latest technology and equipment for safe breeding practices, production, and distribution of all farm animals.
• The farm will only breed the highest quality poultry.
• Unbeatable pricing to its clients and customers – Smith Poultry Farm does not mark up its poultry products at a large percentage. All poultry will be on par with competition.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Smith Poultry Farm is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

John Smith has built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by living and working in the midwestern farming industry. Since a number of local poultry farms have ceased operations, they have committed to John that Smith Poultry Farm will be their poultry supplier. They trust his work ethic and commitment to the local community.

Professional Associations and Networking

Smith Poultry Farm will become a member of American Farmland Trust, Farming NGO, National Farmers Union, and the Iowa Chamber of Commerce. They will focus their networking efforts on expanding their client network and marketing their new brand.

Print Advertising

Smith Poultry Farm will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events.

Website/SEO Marketing

Smith Poultry Farm will hire a third-party marketing company to design their print ads and design their website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the poultry products they plan to offer. The website will also list their contact information and directions to the poultry farm. The marketing company will also include SEO tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “Iowa poultry farm” or “poultry farm near me”, Smith Poultry Farm will be listed at the top of the search results.

Zero po, hindi rin po kami mahilig malabas ng mga panood.

The pricing of Smith Poultry Farm will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing their poultry products.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Smith Poultry Farm.

Operation Functions:

• John Smith will be the Owner and President of the company. He will oversee all staff and manage client relations. John, along with Sue, has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Sue Smith – will oversee all administrative aspects of running the poultry farm. This will include bookkeeping, tax payments, and payroll of the staff.
• George Hargrove – Head Farmhand who will oversee the farming staff and day to day operations.
• Ben Loya – Assistant Farmhand who will assist George.
• Frank Johnson – Distribution Manager who will oversee the packaging and distribution of all poultry products.

Milestones:

Smith Poultry Farm will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

1/1/202X – Finalize purchase of farm land

2/15/202X – Purchase farm equipment, supplies and materials

3/1/202X – Finalize contracts for grocery store, chain, and restaurant clients

4/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events

5/1/202X – Purchase initial set of poultry animals

5/15/202X – Hire and train farm staff

6/1/202X – Smith Poultry Farm begins farm operations

Smith Poultry Farm will be owned and operated by John and Sue Smith. John will manage the oversight of all farm operations with the help of his lead farmhand. Sue will manage all administrative and financial aspects of the farm business.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Smith Poultry Farm are the revenues it will receive from poultry products, eggs, and the breeding fees they will charge to individuals who have high-quality chicken, turkeys, or ducks they want to breed.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff and maintain successful farm operations. The expenses will be the payroll cost, mortgage payment, utilities, farming supplies, equipment maintenance, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Smith Poultry Farm is $500,000 in debt financing to launch its property management business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the farm land and purchasing the necessary equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, mortgage, and marketing costs for the poultry farm. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of Poultry Animals: 5,600
• Average Revenue per Animal: $20
• Number of Poultry Products Sold Per Year: 1,000,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, poultry farm business plan faqs, what is a poultry farm business plan.

A poultry farm business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your poultry farm business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your poultry farm business plan using our Poultry Farm Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Poultry Farms?

There are a number of different kinds of poultry farms , some examples include: Breeder Farms, Broiler Farms, and Pullet Farms.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Poultry Business Plan?

Poultry farms are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.  Having a chicken farming business plan will help show investors you are well-prepared to start your own business.

What are the Steps To Start a Poultry Farm Business?

Starting a poultry farm business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Poultry Farm Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed poultry business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your poultry farm business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your poultry farm business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Poultry Farm Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your poultry farm business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your poultry farm business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Poultry Farm Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your poultry farm business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your poultry farm business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful poultry farm business:

• How to Start a Farm Business

Additional Helpful Template

Farm Business Plan

How to Start a 7-Figure Poultry Farm (2024)

• 2 years ago

Did you know the average poultry farm provides over a million dollars of chicken for people to eat every year? John Mathia and Geoff Scott showed us how to start a poultry farm and turn it into a vertically integrated award-winning business. You can too!

Geoff and John started Marion Acres in 2012 so they could eat healthier food than they could buy at the supermarket. Their first attempt at growing their own food went horribly wrong: tractors broke, rains made the land unusable, and the landowner sold the land out from under them––but they persevered. They went from 32 chickens in Geoff’s garage to a poultry farm with different animals, a grocery store, a slaughterhouse, and award-winning chickens.

We’ll share how they developed one of the northwest’s most successful poultry farms! You’ll learn about government subsidies, partnerships, and building a vertically integrated business.

They’ve got information any poultry business can use. Let’s start by learning about the poultry industry. 

Step 1. Learn About Poultry Farming

Don’t try to just jump straight into the chicken business and expect to make a million dollars overnight. There’s a lot to learn about the chicken farming business. You will have federal, state, and local laws to follow. In addition, there are lots of capital expenditures. Plus, you’re raising animals, so without proper hygiene, your whole farm could die.

Don’t be scared, though. You can start small. Geoff told us:

Geoff recommended Reading Pastured Poultry Profits by Joel Salatin, plus we added some other best sellers on Amazon for avid readers.

Here are some interesting reads I found while researching the topic:

• Why poultry is better than beef
• Different feeds for different chickens

We’ll help you understand the poultry business so you can decide the best strategy for your chicken farm. Let’s start by looking at the poultry industry.

How much to start a chicken farm?

Geoff and John started off with:

• 32 broiler chickens : $75
• One chicken tractor : $220
• 150 pounds feed : $100
• Gravity water dispenser : $60
• Total : Under $500

So, you don’t need a lot of money to start raising chickens. If you don’t have land, that’s another story. Let’s look at how much it costs if you need land.

How much does it cost to start a chicken farm if you don’t own land?

Poultry farming will be more expensive if you don’t already have land to use. Chickens need space and a healthy environment. Chickens require at least three square feet per chicken plus space for storage, vehicles, home, etc. 

That means the first acre will hold a maximum of 4500 chickens and each additional acre can hold around 5,000 chickens.

If you don’t have land, you can expect at least $100K startup costs for poultry farming. Some resources even say a poultry farmer should expect to spend $250K. The number of chickens you can hold will depend on the number of acres you buy. Check out the table below for an idea of how land will impact the costs and revenue.

Of course you don’t have to start off with 5,000 chickens. You can start smaller and build your way up. But realistically expect to spend the cost of a down payment and the first two to six months of the mortgage right away. Then, with every 100 chickens expect to spend $1.500.

Is chicken farming profitable?

A poultry farm business can sell both chicken and eggs on the commodity markets or direct to consumers (DTC). Let’s look at each. 

Poultry companies selling DTC

Egg production and meat production can be highly profitable if you sell directly to consumers. Marion Acres sells most of its meat to people and local restaurants, which differs from many farms that sign contracts with major poultry corporations. Geoff told us:

Chicken is about a 30% margin.

Check out the rest of our interview with Geoff and Josh.

They sell their meat at $13.99 per pound (lb) because it is non-GMO, pasture-raised broiler farming. That means they make about $50 per chicken and $15 is margin.

Unless a poultry farmer processes the meat onsite, they shouldn’t expect to get such high margins, though.

Selling as a commodity

A poultry farm business might sell on the open market as well. In this scenario, you’ll need to register with the USDA . You’ll be selling to companies that process the live chickens and turn them into breast, wings, thighs, and other meat for consumption. In this scenario, your profit would be:

Broiler Companies Gross Profit = (market rate per pound x pounds of live chickens) – (costs of chicks + feed + labor caring for chickens + transportation costs).

Egg Laying Companies Gross Profit = (market rate of eggs x number of eggs) – (feed + labor caring for chickens + transportation costs).

You’ll want to compare current pricing for broilers versus eggs to decide which is more profitable. Alternatively, you could do a mix of broiler meat and egg laying.

Geoff told us about how a lot of farmers operate:

Bring on a bunch of debt, get all your equipment, and then farm for the rest of your life. You hope to pay off that debt. John and I took a little bit more measured approach.

During many years farmers will run at a loss and have to be subsidized by the government, so make sure you talk to a financial advisor before you jump into the poultry farm business.

Poultry Industry

According to IBISWorld , the average American eats approximately 112 pounds of chicken, eggs, turkey, and other farm fowl each year. They expect Americans to increase their consumption by about half a pound per year. 

Chicken farms sell chicken and other birds based on the commodity market rates, which have ranged from 59 cents per pound at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdowns to an all-time high of 99 cents per pound on June 17, 2022. Estimates expect that this inflation will level off and return to approximately 1% increases in the prices paid for full birds.

From the poultry farm, the birds will go to:

• A processing plant (or slaughterhouse)
• A wholesale processor
• Supermarkets and retailers
• The final consumer

As a result, a bird that sold for 99 cents per pound, increases to about $5.99 to $7.99 for a whole chicken in the supermarket. Breasts and tenders can go for over $4 per pound according to the USDA . 

However, Geoff and John reap most of the profits from their poultry farming because they own the processing and supermarket. Let’s look at each of the players in the poultry farm business to see how it quadruples in price from the farm to the consumer.

A farmer’s main costs include:

• Land : It’s best to be near but not in big cities. Prices of land can vary dramatically. For example, you might find two to five acres ranging from $5,000 per acre to $2.5 million per acre.
• Chicken coop : Later on, we’ll explain how to build a chicken coop, but if you’re building with three square feet per chicken, you’ll probably end up spending a ton on your chicken house.
• Chickens: You might find day-old chickens for approximately $1 to $2.50 per chick based on the quantity, sex, and whether they are GMO-raised.
• Feed: You’ll need to feed the chickens, and you’ll probably want to buy in bulk. Per pound, smaller bags are much more expensive than when you buy a ton of feed.
• Transportation costs : IRS mileage deductions change each year, but have been over $.50 per mile since 2008. You can deduct actual costs instead.
• Employees: If you have over 500 chickens per owner, plan to spend $15 per hour according to the BLS .

Poultry and other meats require processing, which is an industry worth approximately $227.6 billion with a 4.8% profit margin according to IBISWorld . Poultry processing is included in US Industry (NAICS) Report 31161 . I strongly suggest you pay for the report if you’ll be involved in processing, especially if you need a loan.

Using current market rates, the spending breaks down to:

• Purchase price per pound: $.99
• Additional expenses per pound: $.75
• Profit per pound: $.09
• Sell to the wholesaler by the pound: $1.83

Processing is where most of the additional costs in the industry occur, but not where most of the profits are. At the time of writing, there are 5,486 processing companies, and the major players get 57% of the revenue and 98.25% of the profits. The major players are included in the chart below:

That means the average company can expect to achieve a maximum of $18,000,000 revenue and up to $867,000 per year. There are a lot of industry participants operating at losses.

Once the meat has been processed, it is sent to the wholesaler.

Poultry Wholesalers

These are the companies that sell to grocery stores and restaurant chains. There are between 700 and 800 businesses in this category, but the industry is dominated by Sysco and Cal-Maine foods, which get a combined 52% of the revenue. 

Interestingly, smaller wholesalers seem to perform better with a higher profit margin of 3.19% on a little over $8 million revenue on average.

• Purchase price per pound: $1.83 
• Additional expenses per pound: $.40 per pound
• Profit per pound: $.57
• Sell to supermarkets by the pound: $2.80 

Supermarkets

The supermarket industry makes $757 billion in revenue with 21.3% of that attributed to meat, poultry, cheese, and eggs. The purchase of food items accounts for almost 70%. They also average 1.8% profit , but Publix manages to hit a 27.6% profit margin.

• Payment to wholesaler: $2.80
• Profit: $.07
• Other expenses: $1.13
• Consumer price per pound: $4

Why does this matter to a poultry farm?

It means that by the time the food gets to the customer, three other companies are adding $3.01 to the price of the chicken, of which 75 cents is profit.

That’s why John and Geoff’s business model is so brilliant. Instead of being a commodity that gets the short end of the stick, they’ve built their poultry farm into a slaughterhouse, packager, retailer, and online store.

While this comes with additional costs, they effectively make 2.5 times the revenue while increasing the costs by approximately $2.28 per pound with potential profit margins of 10%. 

Governing Laws

There are a lot of laws covering poultry farming and egg production. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with:

• EPA rules on animal feed operations
• USDA policies regarding livestock
• Farmers Service Agency (FSA, a division of the USDA specifically to help farmers succeed)
• State agencies may have policies about farming permits, licensing, or inspection. Check the FSA map to find experts on your state regulations.
• Many cities and counties may have regulations that apply to starting a chicken farm. I would suggest talking to your local SBA office and health district.

Don’t forget to register your farm. Marion Acres is a multi-member LLC, but it operates similarly to a partnership. Read our blog that walks you through how to register an LLC . 

Market Forces

Weather, unemployment, and disposable income all have an impact on farming poultry. Chickens don’t sweat, so temperatures above 90 degrees can jeopardize their health. Make sure to take that into consideration if you are considering how to start poultry farming.

Choose a Poultry Sector Next

Now that you know a little about the types of businesses involving poultry, what kind of poultry business are you going to start?

• Sell chickens for meat
• Create feed to sell for poultry farmers
• Hatchery and breeding chicks
• Egg and meat processing

Whichever one you choose, your focus should be on how to maximize the output for the lowest cost. Given the primary variable cost is feed, you want to focus on the following ratios:

• Broiler farm : meat per pound of feed 
• Laying eggs : Eggs per pound of feed 

Let’s look at the different breeds of chickens you can choose for your own poultry business.

Type of Bird

Were you raised on a chicken farm?

If you weren’t, I bet you’ll be surprised by the number of chicken breeds available. Fortunately, Chicken Breeds List has an extensive knowledge-base about chickens. It’s basically a one-stop-shop about poultry farming for beginners, with over 31 different breeds ranked based on:

• Number of eggs per year
• Growth potential
• Aggressiveness
• Space requirements 
• And other considerations

They rate the Leghorn as the best egg-laying chicken and the Cornish Cross as the best for producing fast and plentiful chicken meat production.

Look for their awards on sites that educate, breed, or cook chicken. If you see one of them, this means they are a poultry company focused on excellence.

Oops! I spent half the blog educating us on the chicken industry. Let’s carry on with how to start a poultry farm in the USA.

Step 2. Write a Poultry Farming Business Plan

Poultry farming business plans help you keep yourself focused on your goals. Whether you just want enough to feed family and friends, you want to sell eggs or chicken meat locally, or you have dreams of becoming a major chicken farming business, a business plan will help.

Check out our blog about business plan writing and write your own. If that’s not your style, we understand. Marion Acres has never had an official business plan. They told us;

I would say we’re kind of unofficial. A lot of the growth that we have had is just kind of the market driving us that way. The goals we have are probably how to become more sustainable as a farm, and how to become more self-sufficient down the road. And that could be a one to two-year venture.

After you have a business plan for your poultry farm, you’ll know whether you need extra funding or not. If you do, you might want to consider business loans.

Step 3. Poultry Business Loans

If you don’t already have land to start a poultry farm, you’ll need to get some. That means you probably need to buy it. Most landlords won’t love a chicken coop in their garage.

Plus, there’s other poultry farming equipment you’ll need. In addition to the standard loans available for most businesses, the FSA has farming loans that help people buy land, invest in equipment, and make it until the next harvest. 

There’s even youth funding to help 10 to 20-year-olds do farming projects. Put your kid to work raising chicks! Teaching them young is great for when they want their own business.

Next, choose a location for your poultry farm.

Step 4. Find a Location of Chicken Farm

Where are you going to raise chickens? 

Well, that depends on how many you have. Raising chickens can be a space-consuming venture. The poultry farm business can consume three to ten square feet per chicken meaning you can fit about 33 chickens in a 10 x 10 space. 

That means an acre can hold between 4k and 14k chickens, but that doesn’t leave room for much else. That would also be a massive chicken house. 

Chickens also do best in 70° to 75° weather, and they can have heat strokes when temperatures get above 90°. Geoff told us:

They’ve gotta have water. They’ll die pretty quick if they don’t. Especially in the heat.

You also want to create a farm where the cost of land plus transporting poultry products is balanced to minimize costs. 

Step 5. How to Make a Chicken Farm 

Poultry farm design is focused on creating effective layouts and processes to help chicken farms become more profitable and efficient. Check out the Big Book Project . 

You’ll need to do things like:

• Establish how to position everything on your land.
• Decide how to make the most of your space.
• Build a chicken coop.
• Manage your supply chain.
• Purchase and care for your chickens.
• Process and sell your poultry products.

We’ll look at a few, but I strongly advise checking out the Big Book Project and talking to other poultry farming businesses to learn more about designing a small farm. Acclimating to the setting in person will give you a powerful perspective on chicken farming.

How to start a poultry farm: Build a Chicken Coop

Marion Acres uses what they call a Chicken Tractor with a Gravity Water Delivery System for their broiler chickens. It’s an 8-foot by 8-foot enclosure made from:

• Nine 2” x 2” wood beams : $4 each = $36
• Seven 8’ x 2’ corrugated steel panels : $22 each = $154
• Chicken wire : $39 (should be approximately 1 roll)
• Nails and screws: $5
• Estimated Total: $234 + tax, shipping, and handling

When they built it, the total cost would have been about $220 for the coop and $60 for the gravity water delivery system. 

This makes it where they can easily move the chicken coop to different spots on the poultry farm. Watch the video below to view how they built the chicken tractor.

Almanac.com has a good read on how to make a chicken house. They suggest keeping the poultry house near where people are at all times of day so that someone can hear if a fox tries to enter the chicken house.

Farm innovations have created intensive poultry housing systems. With automated feeders, watering systems, and other improvements, you can more easily care for your chickens. You’ll have to establish the proper settings for your poultry house because chicken breeds vary on their needs. Learn about some of the best feeding systems.

How to start a poultry farm: Buy Feed

Every chicken will need to eat. Without poultry feed, you’ll have a hard time keeping your chickens healthy. Chicken feed is made with specific purposes in mind. You can buy poultry feed for:

• Baby chickens: Starter food is best for ages that range from day old chicks to 20 weeks.
• Chicken broilers: If you’re just trying to raise chicks to sell the meat, get food specifically for broilers.
• Teenage chickens: If you want to keep your chicks properly cared for until they each become an adult chicken, you might want to change from starter food to grower food at six weeks. You’ll want to change this when they start laying eggs.
• Egg layers: Once chickens start laying eggs, they need layer feed to help produce healthier eggs. It’s like grower feed but with more calcium and minerals.

When you’re just getting started, you can buy feed from Amazon or Walmart, but you may want to buy in bulk. When comparing a 40 to 50 lb bag to a 2,000 lb order, you can save up to $1,000 by buying in bulk based on online pricing. 

Check out this blog to learn more about feeding chickens .

You’ll want other equipment, too. 

How to start a poultry farm: Other Equipment

You will need equipment based on the chicken products you sell, the space you have, and your budget. Some of the items you might need before you buy your chicks include:

• Waste removal system(s)
• Lighting instruments
• Brooders (for breeding)
• Heaters (for cold weather)
• Crates (for collecting eggs)
• Egg trays (for handling and selling eggs)
• Perches (for laying hens)
• Nests (for laying hens and breeding)
• Incubator (for breeding)

Once you have all the equipment setup, it’s time to find dependable breeders.

Get Your Chickens

It’s time to buy some quality chicks from a reputable breeder. You can buy locally or online, but be careful when buying online. There are two ways to get new chickens and it sounds like a joke. You get to choose between the chicken or the egg.

Geoff told us:

You definitely wanna buy day-old chicks. Leave the hatching of the eggs to the hatchery.

Based on my research, it seems that eggs and chickens sell for about the same price, which means you are better off with the chicks. If you decide to expand your business to incubate your own eggs later, you can potentially increase your profit. You’ll need to learn poultry science first, though.

Some breeders are more honest than others, so make sure they have a guarantee. You might also ask if they have an American Poultry Association flock certification .

Some of the ones consistently mentioned include:

• Jenks : Business success is often measured by profitability, but longevity is also important. As the longest operating poultry company supplier, they know they understand the poultry farm business.
• Cackle Hatchery : If you are looking to buy from only one supplier, Cackle is probably the place. They sell pretty much everything you need for raising and selling chickens. Plus, they’ve been around for over 80 years.
• Privett Hatchery : If you are on the west coast, you might consider getting your chickens from Privett. It’s in New Mexico making it more convenient for a farmer located in the southwest United States.

You can find more breeders and fertile egg suppliers on Chickens and More .

Step 6. How to Run a Chicken Farm

Poultry farming is a delicate business. You have to:

• Feed your birds the proper nutrients: We discussed this in the section on feed. This will help promote chicken health.
• Treat against poultry diseases: If your flock catches a chicken disease, you need to separate the sick ones and care for them. You may also have to hire a vet. Learn more about diseases chickens catch .
• Protect against predators: We discussed this during the section on design.
• Dispose of their waste: You’ll need a waste disposal system to help keep the chicken coop clean. 
• The deep litter system is a method of composting inside the coop. 
• You can also use an automated system.

Geoff and John use manual processes. They told us:

We move the chicken tractors around so their waste fertilizes the land. Every animal plays a role in the ecosystem.

• Treat against poultry diseases : If your flock catches a chicken disease, you have to separate sick ones and care for them. You may also have to hire a vet.
• Maintain documentation of care: You’ll need a great system to document your date of purchase, care, date of processing, and more. Check out USDA documentation requirements .

Author’s note: During my experience in the building automation industry, I found that automated systems make documentation of anything much easier. When you can easily check a log to see when feed was distributed, water consumed, temperatures, and other relevant data, it is much easier to comply with government regulations.

Step 7. Process the Birds

Once the birds have matured to an age you can sell them (typically six to 20 weeks), you need to turn them into meat. Most people will do this using an external processing company, which we discussed in the industry overview, but Geoff and John do it themselves. They told us:

I wish we would’ve known more about how it was going to go with the county in developing the processing facility. I think we probably would’ve just hired a project manager and said, “Deal with the county, make sure everything is taken care of. Let us focus on the stuff we’re good at. 

And I don’t wanna be distracted by explaining to the county about our storage tanks… In the end, I think it (hiring a land-use consultant) probably would’ve saved us a lot on (the) schedule.

Step 8. Sell the Chickens or Eggs

There are several ways for a poultry farm business to sell their chickens and eggs. The business can sell its products to:

• Consumers: Reach this target market through websites, social media, your own retail location, and farmers’ markets.
• Restaurants: Get in touch with restaurant owners through similar channels as consumers but also through trade organizations.
• Poultry processors and wholesalers : Join trade associations or keep reading to find out how to farm for Perdue or Tyson.

How to start a chicken farm for Perdue

If you want to learn the benefits of poultry farming with Perdue, check out the links on their poultry initiatives . As a Perdue farmer, you get access to:

• Some of the most advanced systems in the industry
• A consistent supply of industry best practices
• A regional vet dedicated to helping provide care for your poultry
• Flock advisors to help you maximize gross income and profit
• Technical assistance to maintain your systems

They’ll guide you through the process of how to start a poultry farm for Perdue.

How to start a chicken farm for Tyson

If you’re wanting to contract with Tyson, check out their prospective farming partners page. They use guidelines from the University of Georgia and contract with more than 6,000 contract farmers. Contact the nearest live operations manager if you’d like to discuss how to start a poultry farm with Tyson.

How to start a chicken farm to sell eggs

Egg-selling poultry farms have many of the same requirements as broiler farms, but they are focused on getting the most eggs per unit of feed. You’ll be trying to keep your chickens healthy for a longer period of time because layers often start egg production near 20 weeks and can produce eggs daily for three to four years .

Step 9. Other Business Functions

In addition to the basic equipment and chicken care, you’ll need to have your systems in place for standard business operations like:

• Bartering (unique to farming)

Fortunately, John and Geoff gave us a ton of information on what they use to operate their business selling broiler chickens.

How to start a poultry farm: Hiring

Marion Acres, LLC emphasizes two aspects when hiring:

• Skill: Do they at least somewhat understand the job?
• Personality: Are they fun to be around? Similar values? Work Ethic?

For processing employees, they told us:

It’s called Poached. I think that attracts more of the food service industry, people that are used to handling knives and processing things, stuff like that. So we use that for the processing facility.

They also explained most other positions are easily filled with walk-ins and “now hiring” signs.

How to start a poultry farm: Accounting 

Marion Acres uses a variety of tools for accounting. John told us:

Geoff does (accounting), but we do use QuickBooks Online, a lot of spreadsheets.

You can connect QuickBooks to most software, so you might be able to integrate it with other software you love. Geoff and John told us:

We use Clover for here in the store. Shopventory, which handles our inventory. And we do use Square for some of our online .

Make sure you understand your accounting processes because you’ll need to have sufficient funds or be well documented for the farm programs. Learn about other accounting software for farmers and have a professional accountant help you set it up properly.

How to start a poultry farm: Marketing

John discussed their marketing strategy with us:

We have mainly my wife who oversees that team, Rachelle. There (are) about two people right now, besides her. So three total. 

We use Wix, which is very user-friendly, and a very simple platform. It just uploads some pictures and types in some things and they make it look good. So kudos to Wix.  

The team that manages that also manages the inventory.

Marion Acres uses social media because it’s so powerful. Check out their Instagram and LinkTree . Like most business owners, they have found that their search engine optimization is what truly helps drive awareness.

They also mentioned that customer service is a big part of their value. They treat people like family and have a beautiful view with picnic tables. Geoff and John have created such a pleasant experience that some customers come almost daily.

Go start your own business!

Chicken is a staple of most people’s diets. Now you have an idea of how to start a poultry farm, so take a training course with poultry farming for beginners, buy some baby chicks, and get farming today!

Which type of farming would you rather do, broilers or egg-layers?

Brandon Boushy

Brandon Boushy lives to improve people’s lives by helping them become successful entrepreneurs. His journey started nearly 30 years ago. He consistently excelled at everything he did, but preferred to make the rules rather than follow him. His exploration of self and knowledge has helped him to get an engineering degree, MBA, and countless certifications. When freelancing and rideshare came onto the scene, he recognized the opportunity to play by his own rules. Since 2017, he has helped businesses across all industries achieve more with his research, writing, and marketing strategies. Since 2021, he has been the Lead Writer for UpFlip where he has published over 170 articles on small business success.

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Poultry Farming Business Plan

Starting a poultry business in Louisville, Kentucky , presents a lucrative opportunity for those looking to venture into the world of chicken farming business. With the right management, a poultry farming business can be highly profitable, making it one of the most rewarding endeavors in the agricultural industry.

In today’s scenario, the demand for poultry products is consistently growing, indicating the vast potential for success in the chicken farming business. This article aims to guide beginners on how to start chicken farming, from its initial stages as a small farm to the strategies involved in scaling it into a thriving and profitable enterprise.

Whether you’re considering a poultry business plan , interested in the nuances of poultry farming, or seeking guidance for a beginner poultry farming business plan, this article will provide valuable insights into the processes, challenges, and opportunities associated with poultry farming in Kentucky. Discover how to transform a small poultry farm into a successful venture, capitalizing on the thriving market for poultry products.

What is Poultry Farming

Poultry farming is about raising birds like chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys for their meat and eggs. It can be small or big – there’s a lot you can do.

Starting a chicken farm, whether it’s a small one or a larger operation, is what we call poultry farming. It’s all about growing birds for their meat, eggs, and sometimes feathers. Chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks are the main focus in this kind of farming. People also sometimes raise other birds like guinea fowl and squabs, but not as often.

So, if you have chicken business ideas and want to start a chicken farm, there are many possibilities. You can go for a small poultry farm design or think big – it’s up to you. Poultry farming offers different options for people who dream of having their own chicken farm business, no matter the size.

How to Start a Poultry Farming Business

If you are interested in being a poultry farm owner, our team of business plan writers in Louisville has crafted a sample business plan for poultry farming below to serve as your guide on how to start poultry farming. It is designed to assist you in making informed decisions and gaining insights into the details of poultry production, a crucial aspect of the animal industry in agriculture. This chicken farming business plan provides a starting point for your journey in planning and navigating the complexities of poultry farming.

Executive Summary

“Feather Grove Farm” (herein also referred to as “Feather Grove” or “the company”) was established on May 1, 2019 by Co-Founders, Mr. John Farmer and Ms. Emily Young. The company is strategically located to initiate a dynamic poultry farming venture in Louisville, KY.

In 2018, the United States imported and exported substantial amounts of poultry products, creating a notable gap in the market for locally produced, sustainable poultry. Feather Grove Farm aims to address this gap by establishing itself as a leading supplier of high-quality poultry products, reducing the reliance on foreign imports, and contributing to the growth of the domestic poultry industry.

Both Co-Founders bring unique skills to the venture. Mr. John Farmer, with a background in agricultural management, has successfully overseen various farming projects. On the other hand, Ms. Emily Young, with a wealth of experience in marketing and sales, will assume the role of Sales and Marketing Manager.

Feather Grove Farm is actively exploring opportunities in Kentucky for acquiring suitable agricultural land. The company is open to collaborations with local communities, government bodies, and fellow agriculture enterprises. This business plan outlines the strategic vision for Feather Grove over the first 5 years of operation, emphasizing positive contributions to the local community and economy.

Operationally, the business will encompass two core activities: (1) the breeding and sale of various poultry breeds and (2) the establishment of an educational farm experience, projected to launch in year 5. The breeding strategy involves constructing three state-of-the-art poultry houses, maximizing production capabilities and ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality poultry throughout the year. The educational farm experience, while contributing to community engagement and awareness, is seen as an integral part of Feather Grove’s broader impact strategy.

Currently, Feather Grove Farm is seeking a $1,340,000 loan to support the first year’s startup costs. The company projects breaking even within the first 18 months of operation and anticipates significant profits from the second year onwards. With support from stakeholders, Feather Grove aims to address the gap in locally produced poultry, create jobs, and establish a sustainable and profitable farming business that brings various benefits to the local community and the broader poultry industry.

Company Overview

Feather Grove Farm is not your typical farm – we’re all about poultry. We’re on a mission to set up a big poultry farm that will be a go-to place for chicken lovers. Our founders, Mr. John Farmer and Ms. Emily Young, each bring their own special skills to the table. John knows his way around farms, and Emily is a pro at selling and marketing.

Our mission is clear – we want to provide leading, locally raised poultry to our community and create a space where everyone can appreciate and enjoy chickens.

We dream of becoming the number one spot in town for amazing, high-quality poultry. And we want our farm to be a place that everyone talks about and can’t wait to visit.

Core Values

Here’s what we’re all about:

• Always Innovate: We love new ideas that make our farm better.
• Provide Unique Experiences: Your experience with our chickens matters the most.
• Build a Diverse Team: Teamwork makes everything run smoothly.
• Attention for Detail: Planning and paying attention to details are the keys to our success.
• Build a Better Community: We want to do good things. That means creating jobs, educating folks, and sharing lots of delicious poultry.

Goals and Objectives

Short-term Goals (Next 6-12 months)

• Get $1.5M USD to start everything up.
• Find the perfect piece of land for our farm.
• Build our first chicken coop and get our first batch of chicks.
• Hire a team to help us kick things off.

Medium-term Goals (Next 1-2 years)

• Start selling our poultry and break even by the 16th month.
• Make friends with local grocery stores, markets, and restaurants.
• Get our second chicken coop going and raise more chickens.

Long-term Goals (Next 2-5 years)

• Have three big chicken coops running smoothly.
• Open our farm to the public for everyone to enjoy.
• Welcome more than 47 awesome staff members to the Feather Grove family.

With everyone’s support, we believe we can turn this dream into a reality, bringing amazing poultry to the people and making our farm a special place for everyone.

Market Analysis

Feather Grove aims to navigate the challenges faced by the poultry industry, drawing inspiration from lessons learned in poultry farming.

Market Trends and Adaptations

• Local and Sustainable: Following the trend in poultry farming, there’s a rising demand for locally produced poultry. At Feather Grove, we prioritize sustainable and ethical farming practices, ensuring our community has access to fresh, locally sourced eggs.
• Digital Presence: Like the poultry farming sector’s shift to online platforms, Feather Grove embraces technology. We offer online ordering, home delivery, and even curbside pick-up to make it convenient for our customers.
• Technological Integration: Modern poultry farming involves smart monitoring systems. At Feather Grove, we leverage technology to monitor the well-being of our flock, ensuring they are healthy and happy.

Sales and Production

• Broiler Chicken Production: We specialize in the production of broiler chickens, ensuring they are raised in comfortable and well-maintained poultry houses. Our investment in optimal conditions reflects in the quality of our poultry.
• Egg Production: At Feather Grove, we concentrate on egg production. Our laying houses provide a conducive environment for hens, resulting in best-quality eggs.

Market Distribution

• Local Markets and Partnerships: Similar to the poultry farming sector, Feather Grove targets local and regional markets. We establish partnerships with local grocery stores, participate in farmers’ markets, and collaborate with restaurants to bring our products directly to consumers.
• Community-Centric Approach: Much like the emphasis on community impact in poultry farming, Feather Grove actively engages with the local community. We offer farm tours, educational programs, and explore opportunities to collaborate with local businesses.

Integration and Services

• Diversification of Income Streams: Taking a cue from the integrated approach in poultry farming, Feather Grove aims to diversify income streams. In addition to selling poultry products, we explore value-added services like processed chicken products, poultry manure for fertilizing, and educational programs.
• Holistic Farming Experience: Feather Grove aims to offer a holistic farming experience. Our farm is not just a place to buy eggs; it is  a community hub where people can learn about sustainable farming practices, participate in events, and connect with the journey of their food.

Products and Services

Our farm produces organic and free-range eggs. We prioritize the health and natural behavior of our laying hens, resulting in superior-quality eggs with rich flavors and nutritional benefits.

Broiler Chickens

Our broiler chickens are raised in spacious, well-ventilated environments. We provide them with a balanced diet, ensuring the production of tender and flavorful meat. Our commitment to ethical farming practices extends to the entire lifecycle of our chickens.

Additional Services

In addition to our poultry products, we offer services such as poultry farming consultation and educational programs. These services aim to share our expertise with aspiring farmers and raise awareness about ethical farming practices.

Marketing Plan

Feather Grove Poultry Farm takes pride in being the exclusive representative of the Kentucky Poultry Club (KPC), an esteemed company in the poultry industry. This strategic partnership positions us to source unique, patent-protected chicken breeds, providing FGPF with a distinct advantage over competitors in the market. Our primary revenue streams will be generated through the sale of these exclusive poultry breeds and visitor admissions to our innovative poultry farm.

Pricing Model

Feather Grove is committed to offering good-quality and exclusive poultry breeds to our customers. The pricing model for our products and services will be designed to reflect the uniqueness and value of these breeds. As we set out, our focus will be on providing transparency and fair pricing to our customers, ensuring accessibility while maintaining the exclusivity of our offerings.

Competitive Advantage

Our competitive edge lies in the exclusive partnership with the Kentucky Poultry Club (KPC), offering us access to unique and patent-protected chicken breeds that set Feather Grove apart in the market.

Unique and Proprietary Chicken Breeds

Through our collaboration with KPC, we gain access to chicken breeds that are not only unique but also protected by patents. This exclusive access allows FGPF to introduce a variety of chicken breeds to our customers that they won’t find elsewhere. The distinctiveness of our poultry breeds enhances our brand reputation and market positioning.

Poultry Farm Experience Center

Feather Grove will leverage the exclusive chicken breeds to create a unique and innovative poultry farm experience center. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness and interact with these special breeds, making their visit to Feather Grove memorable and educational. Revenue from visitor admissions will complement our sales of exclusive poultry breeds, creating a diversified income stream.

Key Success Factors

The success of Feather Grove is underpinned by various factors critical to our performance, profitability, and our ability to make the most of the exclusive offerings from the Kentucky Poultry Club.

• Effective Marketing and Branding: Communicating the exclusivity of our poultry breeds and the unique experience at our farm.
• Visitor Engagement and Experience: Providing a memorable and educational experience for visitors to the poultry farm.
• Efficient Operations: Ensuring efficient farm operations for the breeding and care of exclusive chicken breeds.
• Strategic Pricing: Implementing a pricing strategy that reflects the value of our exclusive offerings while remaining accessible to customers.
• Collaboration with Kentucky Poultry Club: Maintaining a strong and collaborative relationship with KPC for a continuous supply of unique poultry breeds.
• Customer Satisfaction: Prioritizing customer satisfaction through transparent practices and excellent service.
• Community Engagement: Actively engaging with the local community to foster support and awareness of our exclusive poultry farm.
• Feather Grove Poultry Farm is poised to redefine the poultry farming experience, offering customers and visitors something truly special through our exclusive partnership with the Kentucky Poultry Club.

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Sales and Marketing Plan

At Feather Grove Poultry Farm, our sales approach centers around a “direct to source” strategy. Establishing robust relationships with key customers is our priority, complemented by our commitment to delivering top-notch poultry products and impeccable execution.

Target Customers

Our target customers are strategically categorized based on revenue potential, with a focus on establishing strong connections and delivering quality products.

United Poultry Association (UPA): We aim to secure substantial revenue through strategic collaboration with UPA, leveraging their network to sell our premium poultry breeds to various stakeholders, with a primary focus on exporters.

Local Grocers:

Louisville Grocers: To build partnerships with local grocers to feature our exclusive poultry products.

Educational and Social Events: Targeting local event planners involved in educational and social events provides an opportunity to showcase our poultry farm as a unique and engaging venue. By forming partnerships with event planners, we aim to cater to their specific poultry-related needs.

Sales Strategies

Direct Relationship Building: To forge direct relationships with key customers, understanding their unique needs and preferences.

Product Showcase Events: To host events showcasing our poultry breeds, inviting potential customers like exporters, grocers, florists, and event planners to experience the quality firsthand.

Educational Workshops: To conduct workshops for local grocers and educate them on the distinct features and benefits of our poultry breeds.

Customized Offerings: To tailor our offerings to meet the specific requirements of each customer segment, ensuring a personalized and impactful approach.

Marketing Strategies

Online Presence: To establish a professional and user-friendly website to showcase our poultry breeds, pricing, and farm-related activities.

Social Media Campaigns: To leverage social media platforms to create awareness and engage with potential customers. Regular updates, promotions, and customer testimonials will be shared.

Local Collaborations: To collaborate with local associations, such as the Kentucky Poultry Club, to enhance our visibility in the community.

Participation in Local Events: To actively participate in local fairs, farmers’ markets, and community events to interact directly with potential customers.

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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

SWOT Analysis

Operational Plan

Feather Grove Poultry Farm aims to create a seamless operational process, offering both products and services to cater to retailers, wholesalers, and direct consumers. The combination of the farming area and the innovative visitor center is designed to attract a diverse range of customers, making it a popular destination for those seeking quality chicken products.

Operational Process

Farming Area 

Service Offering: Growing a variety of chickens for sale.

Products Sold: Eggs and chicken products.

Feed Source: Direct sourcing of chicken feeds from Kentucky Poultry Club (KPC).

Payment Method: 100% upfront payment in cash.

Visitor Center 

Service Offering: Visitor center with unique landscape and design.

Features: Walking paths

Target Audience: Tourists, potential chicken and egg buyers, and the general public.

Payment Methods: 100% upfront payment accepted in cash.

Equipment & Inventory

Farming Area: Chicken coops, feeding equipment, farming tools.

Visitor Center: Seating arrangements and visitor amenities.

Inventory: Chicken feeds, eggs, poultry-related merchandise.

Business Operation: 6 days a week (Monday to Saturday).

Hours: 8 am to 5 pm

Management Team

John Farmer 

Co-Founder & Farm Manager

John Farmer is an accomplished and results-driven agricultural professional with over 15 years of experience in managing and optimizing farm operations. Mr. Farmer’s expertise lies in crop cultivation, precision farming, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices. John has a proven track record of increasing yields and profitability through strategic planning and innovative technologies. As a hands-on leader, Mr. Farmer has successfully overseen large-scale farming operations, ensuring efficiency and adherence to quality standards. John is passionate about harnessing technology for agricultural advancements and is committed to contributing to the growth and sustainability of the farming industry.

Emily Young

Co-Founder & Marketing & Sales Officer 

Emily Young is a dedicated agricultural scientist specializing in farming and poultry. With a Master’s degree in Agricultural Science, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge in crop genetics, soil health, and sustainable farming practices. Ms. Young’s research contributions have been published in leading agricultural journals, showcasing strong dedication to advancing the field. Emily excels in designing and conducting experiments to enhance crop resilience and productivity. Emily’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement aligns with the vision of creating more sustainable and resilient agricultural landscapes, especially in the poultry farming sector.  Ms. Young is poised to make lasting contributions to the farming and poultry sectors working towards a more sustainable and promising future for agriculture.

Key Personnel 

The following section outlines each individual role, and their respective responsibilities:

Farm Manager

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the poultry farm. This includes managing the care and health of the poultry, overseeing feeding programs, and monitoring environmental conditions are in place. The farm manager is also responsible for coordinating staff, maintaining equipment, and implementing health and safety protocols on the farm.

Marketing & Sales Officer 

This role involves developing marketing strategies, establishing relationships with retailers, wholesalers, and distributors, and ensuring that the poultry products reach the intended customers. The coordinator may also be involved in market analysis, pricing strategies, and promotional activities to boost sales.

Quality Assurance Specialist

Responsible for maintaining and improving the quality standards of poultry products. The specialist may also be involved in implementing quality control measures throughout the production process, from breeding and raising poultry to processing and packaging.

Poultry Care Specialist

Responsible for the direct care and health of the poultry.

Equipment Maintenance

Manages the maintenance and upkeep of farm equipment.

Organization Structure

Financial Plan

The financial projections presented here is a result of careful planning by the management team at Feather Grove Poultry Farm. These projections look ahead and are subject to securing the required funding. It is the responsibility of the audience to conduct their own thorough investigation.

Considering the current state of the market and the specifics of our business, we outline the expected funding needs for the initial year of operations in the following financial plan. This plan serves as a transparent guide, showcasing our commitment to sound financial practices and strategic management.

INCOME STATEMENT

The Pro Forma Income Statement outlines the company’s anticipated financial performance for the next three years, with gross revenue projections of $456,795 in Year 1, $629,776 in Year 2, and $813,124 in Year 3. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) show positive growth, reaching $111,548 in Year 1, $180,456 in Year 2, and $248,423 in Year 3. The Pro Forma Income Statement provides key insights into the company’s profitability and financial trajectory.

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

The Pro Forma Cash Flow Statement is a vital component of the business plan, projecting cash inflows and outflows over the next three years. It anticipates a strong start in Year 1 with an opening cash balance of $10,000, followed by significant growth in Year 2 with an opening balance of $33,388. By Year 3, the business is poised for continued success, starting with an opening cash balance of $69,756. The statement serves as a critical tool for financial planning, providing insights for strategic decision-making and ensuring effective management of cash resources .

BALANCE SHEET

The Pro Forma Balance Sheet provides a snapshot of the company’s financial standing over the next three years, showcasing a progressive increase in total assets from $80,100 in the opening year to $760,612 in Year 3. Shareholders’ equity, a combination of invested equity, cumulative retained earnings, and dividends paid, is anticipated to grow from $70,100 in the opening year to $271,492 in Year 3, indicating a positive trajectory for the company’s financial health.

Creating a plan for your chicken farm is a wise step, especially when applying for funding. By utilizing a business plan format , you will gain valuable insights. As you learn about the chicken farming industry, your competitors, and your customers, you can develop an effective and strategic marketing plan . This process will help you understand what it takes to start and grow a successful chicken farming business.

In the US, more and more business owners are looking for business plan templates using phrases like sample poultry business plan pdf, poultry farming business plan pdf, poultry business plan pdf, and even poultry business plan pdf South Africa. This indicates that entrepreneurs recognize the significance of having a well-organized business plan outline , including an operational plan , for their chicken farms. These templates are valuable because they offer insights into the specifics of the chicken farming industry and help in developing a robust marketing strategy. As more individuals seek guidance in starting successful chicken farms, these templates become essential for making informed decisions and ensuring sustained growth in the industry.

If you’ve been exploring a chicken business plan, poultry farm business plan, or chicken poultry business plan and you’re still looking for an easy way to create your own, you are in the right place. BSBCON offers business plan writing services across different industries, and many businesses have achieved great success with our help.

Our expert business plan writers specialize in simplifying the process of how to start a poultry farm with winning business plans. Whether you are starting a chicken farm, a larger poultry project, or a combination of both, our expertise in creating effective plans can be a significant help.

Take your poultry farm dreams to new heights with a business plan that sets you up for success. Reach out to us today.

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Poultry Farming Business Plan Sample

OCT.12, 2016

Do you want to start a Poultry Farming business plan?

Starting a business in the food sector requires an ambitious plan. For a poultry farm business, a good business plan for poultry farming will be needed to make it successful. 

The primary step to starting this business is to learn how to write a business plan for poultry farming. You can go for food delivery service business plans if the major focus of your startup will be to deliver poultry products. 

However, if you are looking to open a farming business in the poultry sector, reading an organic farm business plan or reading this example is a great start. Just like any other business, you will need to develop a solid business plan for a poultry farm. It can help you get required permits as well as investors in situations of need. Here, we will be presenting the business plan for Chuck’s Produce Farm.

Executive Summary

2.1 about the farm.

Chuck’s Produce Farm will be a poultry farm started by Henry Chuck. The primary objective of the business will be to provide poultry products such as chicken meat and eggs to supermarkets as well as nearby restaurants. 

2.2 How will the Farm be Managed?

According to its Chicken Farming business plan , Chuck’s produce farm will be managed through a detailed plan. The business plan of the poultry farm will include management guides for all aspects of the business, from finances to operations. Henry read through many business plan poultry farming samples to ensure that his chicken poultry farm business plan address all the possible tricky aspects of the business. 

In this business plan online template, we will show you how to make a poultry farm business plan for your business. 

2.3 Customers of Poultry Farming Company

Our customers will primarily be other businesses to whom we will provide our products and services to be transferred to the general public. Thus, our main customer groups will include:

• Supermarket Chains
• Small Produce Businesses 
• Food Factories
• Restaurants 

2.4 Business Target

The target of Chuck’s Produce Farm will be to become the major supplier of poultry products to businesses in and around Dallas. The business will aim to gain at least a 60% share in the local market by the end of the second year. 

The financial targets that the business is aiming to achieve are demonstrated below:

Company Summary

3.1 farm ownership & management.

Henry Chuck will be the owner and primary manager of Chuck’s Produce Farm. He studied biology and biochemistry as a student and then worked with many organizations to manage product dissemination operations. His father had a farm, and it was always his dream to make use of the farm to create an organic business. 

3.2 Why is the Farm Being Started?

Henry noticed that with an increase in the consumption of food, especially poultry products, industries had started to resort to harmful chemicals just to meet demands. He wanted to change the narrative by providing organic and healthy poultry substitutes so that local people could consume poultry products without the added harm of chemicals. 

3.3 Basic Steps to Start Poultry Farm Business

Step1: Refine Your Idea

The first step to the start of anything new is an idea. So, before Henry even thought about how to set up a poultry farm , he needed a basic business idea. Refining the idea before he developed a business plan on poultry farming was a great advantage as it helped him limit the scope of his planning. 

Step2: Develop the Uniqueness 

The next step before writing a poultry farming business plan is to develop the unique areas of your business. Henry used this step as a build-up of the idea. He knew the importance of marketable businesses and products, so he created a brand around the unique propositions of his farm. 

Step3: Location Selection and Permits

Henry already had a location for starting Chuck’s Produce Farm. However, since one cannot start a commercial farm on a whim, he worked to get the required permissions from local authorities. This will allow him to run his business smoothly without any legal complications. 

Step4: Online Presence

Since Henry’s business idea is focused on commercial customers instead of the public, so most of the orders will be in bulk. In order to manage such orders and keep up to date with customers and their demands, Henry decided to invest in the development of an online portal with which his customers could put in orders. Henry also decided to develop social media profiles for his business for a greater audience reach about organic products. 

Step5: Follow the Plan

One cannot learn how to run a poultry business or any other business without dedicating research to a developed plan. After developing the business plan for poultry farm pdf, Henry will follow the guidelines to establish a sustainable farming business.

When thinking about how start a poultry farming business , Henry zoned in on the services he would be providing to his customers. This helped him filter out what operations needed planning and which ones didn’t. To start a poultry farm business or any other business for that matter, a refined list of marketable products and services is needed. In his small scale poultry farming business plan, Henry decided to add all the services that his produce farm aimed to provide. To learn how to open a poultry farm, you can look at the list of services we are providing in this poultry farm business plan. You can also refer to a cattle farming business plan to understand what scale of services is best to start a business. 

• Chicken and Turkey Products

The first set of products offered by Chuck’s Produce Farm will be chicken and turkey. We will offer clean meat that is processed in different ways. Our customers will be able to buy full chickens or turkeys ready for roast, boneless meat, and so on. 

Chuck’s Produce Farm will also rear chickens for laying eggs. This will be an added facet to Henry’s pdf on poultry farming business plan. The farm will provide these eggs to our customers regularly at a wholesale price. 

• Poultry Rearing Services

The farm will also aid other smaller poultry farms with proper rearing of poultry and chickens for both eggs and meat. In this regard, our farmers will give training sessions and tips to the locals.  

• Chick Shipments

Our last service will be to provide chicks to poultry farms in other parts of the country. This is to promote the development and rearing of own meat and poultry in all parts of the country. This service will help in the sustainable consumption and rearing of poultry in the industry.

Marketing Analysis of Poultry Farming Company

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Starting a poultry farm business requires the collection and use of a lot of information. No business can be started without knowing about your target market. Whether you are developing a dairy farm business plan or a business plan for a poultry farm pdf, you need to learn about the target market. 

Therefore, Henry decided to do some research into the poultry farm industry when learning how to set up a poultry farm business. He learned that the business plan of poultry farming should include its products and services along with its unique propositions over the market. It should inquire into the previous trends and predicted future trends to invest in operations that are useful in figuring how to establish a poultry farm. 

After looking into the industry, Henry knew the major trends which he decided to utilize in developing his business plan for poultry farm . Through these trends, Henry identified the target customers for his business as presented in the poultry farming business plan template below.

5.1 Market Trends

According to IBISWorld, chicken and turkey meat production has a market share of around $30 Billion in the United States alone. And according to Reportlinker’s “Poultry Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030” report, the industry has a growth rate of 3.8%. This means there is significant room in the industry for another player like Chuck’s Produce Farms.   

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The target customers of Chuck’s Produce Farm are as follows:

5.2.1 Supermarket Chains

Our primary customers will be the supermarket chains in Dallas. We will provide the products for their meat and produce sections. We will also provide eggs and other meat options for these chains. Thus, they will be our indirect link to the public. 

5.2.2 Small Produce Businesses

The second set of customers we expect to serve will be small produce businesses. Smaller businesses have a harder time setting up their operations and properly rearing poultry. Thus, Chuck’s Produce Farm will offer training and shadowing services to these new businesses to promote the production of poultry on a local scale. 

5.2.3 Food Factories

Our third target group of customers will be food factories in the nearby areas that need poultry like chicken and turkey along with eggs to create their products. We expect to have contracts with quite a few of these factories. 

5.2.4 Restaurants

Our final target group will be restaurants in Dallas. Usually, restaurants look for the wholesale rate of poultry products to save expenses. Therefore, Chuck’s Produce Farm will reach out to many restaurants for an exclusive contract to supply organic poultry products.

5.3 Business Target

• To achieve the status as the best organic poultry farm in Dallas.
• Promote the production of clean poultry products across the country.
• To provide chemical-free meat and poultry products to our customers.
• To increase the preference for organic, chemical-free poultry over regular one.

5.4 Product Pricing

Since our products have to compete with industrial products at a commercial level, our prices will be similar to the market competitors. However, at the same price, we will be providing chemical-free products that can be checked for health benefits against competing products.

Marketing Strategy

To write a business plan on poultry farming, Henry ventured to search for his target market. This allowed him to develop a business plan sample for poultry farm that could focus on marketing for these particular customers.

A marketing plan is an essential element of a farming poultry business plan. In fact, it is a very important part of every business plan, whether it is a pig farm business plan or a broiler poultry farming business plan.

Therefore, in this business plan, we are presenting the marketing plan and strategies for Chuck’s Produce Farm.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• We will provide meat that is free of chemicals usually used to increase the growth rate or size.
• We will offer organic products that stem from proper poultry grooming.
• We will aid local poultry farms and focus on a helping business model.
• We will use organic and eco-friendly feed and products that harm neither the poultry nor its consumers.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will offer organic products as compared to the chemically treated ones in the market.
• We will reach contracts with local restaurants and businesses.
• We will advertise through word of mouth and local training and guide sessions held throughout Dallas.

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6.3 sales monthly.

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

If you have hen business ideas or something of the like, you may be trying to learn how to start a small poultry farm. Henry had the idea of an organic farm business plan which is how he developed the idea of Chuck’s Produce Farm. To ensure the success of his business, Henry added an employee section in his business plan for a poultry farm . The workforce needed to start Chuck’s Produce Farm can be found below for reference. 

7.1 Company Staff

• 1 Co-Manager to help in overall operations
• 10 Trained Poultry Farmers
• 8 General Cleaners
• 1 Technician to maintain machines
• 3 Sales and Marketing Executives
• 1 Accountant

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

Starting a poultry farm requires much more than a food idea. It requires consistent effort and planning to maintain the business. In order to develop a successful business plan for poultry farming, Henry put in a significant amount of effort in the financial analysis section. 

To start and run a sustainable business, Henry planned out the costs for different operations of the farm along with expected sales and product prices. This kind of financial analysis is necessary for every business plan, may it be a goat farming business plan . For making a financial plan for your startup, you can follow the example below for guidance.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

• How do I start a poultry farm business plan?

You can start chicken farm by looking at poultry farming business ideas and developing a good business plan like the one above. 

• How much profit does a poultry farm make?

According to ChickenFeedMachinery, a poultry farmer can make up to $2000/month for 300 egg-laying chickens, but it varies from one type of business to the next. 

• Is poultry farming a profitable business?

A poultry farming business can be highly profitable if you have a commercial poultry farm business plan like the one shown above. 

• Which poultry is most profitable?

The success of a poultry business depends more on its management than its type. So, you can download a poultry farm business plan like the one above to sharpen those skills.

Download Poultry Farm Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Agriculture Commercial Guide

Poultry farming business plan – amazing a comprehensive guide.

Updated on: August 14, 2023

Are you considering starting a poultry farming business? A well-thought-out business plan is essential for success in this highly lucrative and rewarding industry. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of creating a solid poultry farming business plan that sets you up for success.

Table of Contents

Introduction to poultry farming business plan, 1. executive summary, 2. business description, 3. market analysis, 4. products and services, 5. marketing and sales strategy, 6. poultry faming business plan management and organization, 7. financial projections, 8. funding and financing, 9. poultry farming business plan risk analysis and mitigation, 10. implementation plan, poultry farming business plan conclusion.

Poultry farming is a thriving sector that involves the raising of domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese for their meat, eggs, and feathers. It is a significant contributor to the global food supply and offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs and farmers alike. However, like any business venture, starting and running a poultry farm requires careful planning and execution.

The executive summary is a concise overview of your poultry farming business plan. It highlights the key points and provides a snapshot of your business vision. Include the following elements:

a. Business name and location

Start your executive summary by clearly stating the name of your poultry farming business and its location. This information provides an immediate context for your readers and helps them understand the scope of your operations.

b. Mission and vision statement

Include a compelling mission and vision statement that encapsulates the purpose and long-term goals of your poultry farm. These statements should reflect your commitment to providing high-quality poultry products and your dedication to ethical and sustainable farming practices .

c. Overview of products (meat, eggs, etc.)

Provide a brief overview of the poultry products your farm will offer, such as meat, eggs, or specialized poultry products. Highlight any unique or niche offerings that differentiate your farm from competitors. Emphasize the quality, freshness, and nutritional value of your products.

d. Target market and customer demographics

Clearly identify your target market and describe the customer demographics you aim to serve. Explain the size and growth potential of the market for poultry products in your chosen area. Discuss any specific market trends or consumer preferences that support the demand for your products.

e. Financial projections (revenue, expenses, and profitability)

Present an overview of your financial projections, including revenue, expenses, and profitability estimates. Use clear and concise language to outline your projected sales growth, production costs, and anticipated profit margins. Consider incorporating charts or graphs to visually represent your financial data.

This section delves deeper into your poultry farming venture. Describe your business in detail and provide essential information such as:

a. Business goals and objectives

Clearly outline the specific goals and objectives of your poultry farming business. Are you aiming to become a leading supplier of organic eggs in your region? Or do you plan to specialize in breeding rare poultry breeds? Define your short-term and long-term goals, and explain how you intend to achieve them.

b. Legal structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, etc.)

State the legal structure of your poultry farming business, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or another type of business entity. Each structure has its advantages and implications, so choose the one that best aligns with your business objectives.

c. Farm size and capacity

Provide details on the size of your poultry farm and its capacity. Mention the number of poultry birds you plan to raise, be it chickens, ducks, quails, or turkeys. Elaborate on your expansion plans if you intend to scale up the farm in the future.

d. Location and facilities

Explain the location of your poultry farm and the facilities available. Discuss the advantages of the chosen location, such as access to target markets, availability of resources, and proximity to suppliers. Describe the housing and equipment you will use to ensure the comfort and well-being of your poultry.

e. Overview of poultry breeds to be raised

Highlight the specific breeds of poultry you plan to raise and sell. Provide information about each breed, including their unique characteristics, growth rates, egg-laying capacity (if applicable), and suitability for your farm’s environment.

Example of Poultry Breeds:

• Rhode Island Red: Known for their hardiness and excellent egg production.
• Leghorn: A prolific layer of white eggs and well-suited for commercial egg production.
• Cornish Cross: Preferred for meat production due to their fast growth and robust size.
• Pekin Duck: A popular choice for meat production with tender and flavorful meat.

Understanding the market dynamics is critical for your poultry farming success. Conduct a thorough market analysis and cover the following aspects:

a. Demand for poultry products in your target area

Determining the demand for poultry products in your specific target area is the first step towards building a successful poultry farming business. Consider the following factors:

• Population Density: The number of potential consumers in your area plays a vital role in determining the demand for poultry products.
• Consumer Preferences: Understand the preferences and buying behaviors of your target customers. For example, do they prefer organic, free-range eggs, or conventionally raised chicken meat?
• Seasonal Variations: Be aware of any seasonal fluctuations in demand, such as increased egg consumption during festive seasons.

b. Competitor analysis (existing poultry farms in the region)

Identify and analyze existing poultry farms in your region. Thoroughly research your competition to gain insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. This analysis can help you identify gaps in the market that you can capitalize on. Key points to consider:

• Product Range: Evaluate the types of poultry products your competitors offer. Are they focusing on egg production, meat, or both?
• Pricing: Study the pricing strategies of your competitors. This will help you set competitive and profitable prices for your products.
• Market Share: Assess the market share of each competitor to gauge their dominance in the region.

c. Pricing strategy for your products

Developing an effective pricing strategy is vital to strike the right balance between profitability and customer appeal. Consider the following aspects when setting your prices:

• Cost of Production: Calculate the cost of raising poultry, including feed, housing, labor, and other operational expenses.
• Competitive Pricing: Determine how your prices compare to those of your competitors.
• Value Proposition: Highlight the unique qualities of your poultry products that justify a premium price.

d. Identification of potential marketing channels

Discovering the most suitable marketing channels to reach your target customers is essential for effective promotion and sales. Explore the following avenues:

• Local Markets: Consider selling your poultry products at local farmers’ markets, where consumers often prefer fresh, locally-sourced produce.
• Online Platforms: Establish an online presence through a website and social media platforms to tap into the growing trend of online shopping.
• Collaborations: Partner with local retailers, restaurants, and grocers to expand your reach and boost sales.
• Community Engagement: Participate in community events and initiatives to create brand awareness and foster trust among potential customers.

Clearly outline the poultry products you plan to offer, whether it’s broilers for meat production, layers for egg production, or other specialty products like organic eggs. Provide details about:

a. Breeds selected and their characteristics

Selecting the right poultry breeds is fundamental to the success of your poultry farming venture. Each breed has unique characteristics that influence factors such as egg production, meat quality, and adaptability to specific environmental conditions. Clearly state the breeds you have chosen for your poultry farm and highlight their key characteristics:

• Broilers: If your focus is on meat production, choose broiler breeds known for rapid growth and high meat yield.
• Layers: For egg production, opt for layer breeds that are prolific in laying eggs and exhibit good feed-to-egg conversion ratios.
• Specialty Products: If you plan to offer specialty products like organic eggs, research and outline the specific breeds suitable for this purpose.

b. Production volume and timelines

Clearly define the intended production volume for each poultry product and establish realistic timelines for production cycles. This information will help you gauge your farm’s capacity and plan for scalability:

• Meat Production: Specify the number of broilers you aim to raise for meat production per cycle and estimate the frequency of production cycles per year.
• Egg Production: Outline the expected number of eggs to be produced per day or per week by your layer flock.
• Specialty Products: If you are producing specialty products, determine the quantity you plan to produce within a given timeframe.

c. Quality assurance and food safety measures

Quality assurance and food safety are paramount in poultry farming. Consumers demand products that meet stringent safety and quality standards. Describe the measures you will implement to ensure the safety and quality of your poultry products:

• Sanitary Practices: Outline the sanitation protocols for poultry housing, equipment, and handling to prevent disease outbreaks and food contamination.
• Feed Management: Describe how you will ensure the nutritional quality and safety of the feed provided to your poultry.
• Health Monitoring: Explain the regular health monitoring procedures you will undertake to identify and address any health issues promptly.
• Biosecurity Measures: Detail the biosecurity measures you will implement to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases on your farm.

A robust marketing and sales strategy will help you reach your target audience effectively. Include the following in your plan:

a. Branding and unique selling proposition (USP)

Establishing a strong brand identity and defining your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is crucial to stand out in a competitive market. Here’s what to consider:

• Brand Identity: Develop a compelling brand story, logo, and overall visual identity that resonates with your target audience.
• USP: Clearly define what sets your business apart from competitors and how your products or services address customers’ pain points uniquely.
• Value Proposition: Communicate the value customers will gain from choosing your brand, highlighting the benefits and advantages.

b. Promotional activities (online marketing, local advertising, etc.)

Promotional activities are key to creating awareness and generating interest in your offerings. Consider the following strategies:

• Online Marketing: Leverage digital platforms such as social media, content marketing, email campaigns, and search engine optimization (SEO) to reach a broader online audience.
• Local Advertising: Connect with your local community through targeted advertising, flyers, or participating in local events.
• Influencer Marketing: Collaborate with influencers or industry experts to promote your products or services to their followers.
• Offer Special Deals: Attract customers with limited-time offers, discounts, or exclusive promotions.

c. Sales channels (direct selling, partnerships with retailers, etc.)

Choosing the right sales channels is vital for reaching customers and converting leads into sales. Consider the following options:

• Direct Selling: Sell directly to customers through your website, physical store, or by phone.
• Retail Partnerships: Collaborate with retailers or distributors to reach a wider customer base.
• E-commerce Platforms: Utilize popular e-commerce platforms to showcase and sell your products online.

Detail the structure of your poultry farming business and introduce key team members and their roles. Discuss:

a. Your expertise and experience in poultry farming

Creating a well-defined business structure is vital for the smooth functioning of your poultry farming venture. Consider the following:

• Choose the Right Legal Entity: Select a suitable legal structure, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation, that aligns with your business goals.
• Ownership and Management: Clearly outline the ownership percentages and roles of each owner in the business’s management.
• Mission and Goals: Define your poultry farming business’s mission and long-term objectives, providing a guiding framework for your team.

b. Roles and responsibilities of each team member

Introduce the core team members who will play a significant role in your poultry farming business plan enterprise:

• Founder/Owner: Present yourself as the visionary leader with a passion for poultry farming, highlighting your expertise and experience in the industry.
• Farm Manager: Introduce the farm manager responsible for overseeing daily operations, flock management, and farm productivity.
• Veterinarian: Highlight the expertise of your veterinarian, who plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of your poultry.
• Sales and Marketing Specialist: Introduce the team member responsible for promoting your products and identifying new market opportunities.
• Accountant: Mention your accountant, who will handle financial matters, budgeting, and profitability monitoring.

c. Hiring plan for additional staff (if applicable)

If your poultry farm requires additional staff beyond the core team, here’s a guide to planning your hiring process:

Assessing Staff Needs : Determine the areas where additional staff is required, considering the growth projections of your poultry farming business.

Defining Roles : Clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of the new hires. Define the specific skills and qualifications needed for each position.

Recruitment Strategy : Devise a recruitment strategy to attract top talent. Utilize online job portals, social media, and industry networks to reach potential candidates.

Screening and Interviews : Conduct thorough screening and interviews to assess candidates’ suitability for the roles. Consider their experience, qualifications, and alignment with your business values.

Training and Onboarding : Once you’ve selected your new team members, provide comprehensive training and a smooth onboarding process to integrate them into your poultry farming operation seamlessly.

The financial projections section is crucial for demonstrating the viability and profitability of your poultry farming business. Provide the following financial data:

a. Start-up costs (land, infrastructure, equipment, etc.)

When starting your poultry farming business plan, you’ll need to invest in several key areas. Here’s a breakdown of the start-up costs:

• Land : The first significant investment is the acquisition of suitable land for your poultry farm.
• Infrastructure : Building necessary structures such as poultry houses, feed storage, and processing facilities.
• Equipment : Purchasing essential equipment like feeding systems, watering systems, and egg collection systems.
• Licensing and Permits : Costs associated with obtaining the required licenses and permits to operate your poultry farm legally.
• Initial Livestock : Acquiring your initial batch of chicks or hatching eggs.

b. Operational expenses (feed, labor, utilities, etc.)

As your poultry farm becomes operational, there will be ongoing expenses to sustain daily operations. Here are the main operational expenses:

• Feed : One of the most significant expenses in poultry farming is the cost of feed for your flock.
• Labor : Salaries and wages for farm managers, workers, and other staff members.
• Utilities : Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and cooling for your poultry houses.
• Veterinary Care : Budget for regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments.
• Marketing : Costs associated with promoting and selling your poultry products.

c. Income projections based on sales forecasts

Forecasting your poultry farm’s income is crucial for understanding the revenue potential of your business. Consider the following aspects:

• Pricing Strategy : Determine the pricing of your poultry products based on market research and competitors’ pricing.
• Sales Volume : Estimate the quantity of eggs or poultry meat you expect to sell based on your production capacity and market demand.
• Market Analysis : Research market trends, consumer preferences, and potential buyers to make informed sales projections.

d. Breakeven analysis and return on investment (ROI)

Breakeven analysis and ROI are vital financial metrics that help you gauge the health of your poultry farming business:

• Breakeven Analysis : Calculate the point at which your total revenue matches total expenses. This will show how much you need to sell to cover costs.
• Return on Investment (ROI) : Measure the profitability of your poultry farming venture by comparing the net profit to the initial investment.

If you require external funding to start or expand your poultry farm, this section is essential. Outline your funding needs and potential sources of financing, such as:

a. Personal savings and contributions

One of the primary sources of funding for your poultry farm may come from your personal savings and contributions. This demonstrates your commitment to the business and shows potential investors or lenders that you have a personal stake in its success.

b. Bank loans and credit lines

Traditional financing options, such as bank loans and credit lines, are popular choices for funding poultry farming ventures. Here’s how they can be beneficial:

• Flexibility : Banks offer various loan options tailored to suit different business needs.
• Competitive Interest Rates : Depending on your creditworthiness and business plan, you may qualify for favorable interest rates.
• Established Relationships : If you have an existing relationship with a bank, it may work in your favor during the loan application process.

c. Investors or venture capital

Another avenue to explore is attracting investors or venture capital for your poultry farming business. These sources of financing can bring more than just funds:

• Expertise : Investors often have experience in the industry and can provide valuable insights and guidance.
• Networking Opportunities : Partnering with investors can open doors to valuable industry connections.
• Long-Term Partnerships : Investors may be interested in a long-term partnership, adding stability to your business.

d. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding has gained popularity as an alternative funding option for small businesses, including poultry farms. Key benefits include:

• Wide Reach : Crowdfunding platforms allow you to reach a broad audience of potential backers.
• Engagement : Crowdfunding campaigns offer a chance to engage with your target market and build a community around your brand.
• Pre-Selling Opportunity : You can pre-sell your poultry products, generating revenue before the farm is fully operational.

e. Government Grants and Subsidies

Depending on your location, there might be government grants or subsidies available to support agricultural businesses like poultry farms:

• Research : Research and identify relevant grants or subsidies that align with your poultry farming activities.
• Application Process : Understand the application requirements and deadlines to increase your chances of success.
• Compliance : Ensure your business plan meets the criteria set forth by the granting agency.

f. Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an innovative way to secure funding while building a loyal customer base:

• Community Engagement : CSA fosters a sense of community and support for your poultry farm.
• Pre-Selling : Customers pay upfront for a share of the farm’s produce, providing capital for operations.
• Relationship Building : CSA members feel connected to your farm and are more likely to become repeat customers.

Every business has its risks, and poultry farming is no exception. Identify potential risks and challenges and explain how you plan to mitigate them. Key areas to consider include:

a. Disease outbreaks and biosecurity measures

Poultry farms are susceptible to disease outbreaks that can quickly devastate the entire flock. Mitigate this risk with these proactive measures:

• Strict Biosecurity Protocols : Implement rigorous biosecurity measures to control the spread of diseases. Limit access to your farm, disinfect equipment, and have designated areas for visitors.
• Regular Health Monitoring : Conduct frequent health checks on your poultry to detect any signs of illness promptly.
• Vaccination Programs : Stay updated on vaccination protocols recommended by veterinarians to prevent common poultry diseases.

b. Market fluctuations and price volatility

The poultry industry is influenced by market fluctuations and price volatility . Protect your business from market uncertainties with these strategies:

• Diversification : Consider diversifying your poultry products to cater to various market segments. For instance, focus on both broilers and layers.
• Long-Term Contracts : Establish long-term contracts with buyers or suppliers to secure stable pricing.
• Market Analysis : Stay informed about market trends and demands to adjust your pricing and production accordingly.

c. Environmental and regulatory risks

Environmental factors and regulatory compliance can pose risks to your poultry farming business. Take these steps to manage them effectively:

• Environmental Impact Assessment : Conduct an environmental impact assessment to identify potential hazards and their impact on your farm.
• Compliance with Regulations : Stay updated on local, state, and federal regulations related to poultry farming and ensure full compliance.
• Sustainable Practices : Implement sustainable farming practices that promote resource conservation and minimize environmental impact.

d. Natural Disasters and Climate Change

Natural disasters and climate change can disrupt poultry farming operations. Here’s how to enhance resilience:

• Emergency Preparedness : Develop an emergency response plan to safeguard your flock during natural disasters.
• Insurance Coverage : Consider comprehensive insurance coverage to protect your farm from unforeseen damages.
• Climate-Resilient Infrastructure : Build climate-resilient infrastructure to withstand extreme weather conditions.

Lay out the step-by-step implementation of your poultry farming business plan. Include:

a. Timeline for establishing an organic poultry farming and obtaining necessary permits

• Securing Permits and Licenses : Initiate the process of obtaining the necessary permits and licenses to operate a poultry farm in your location. Seek guidance from local authorities to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Land Acquisition and Infrastructure Development : Purchase or lease the appropriate land for your farm. Develop essential infrastructure, including poultry houses, feed storage, and waste management systems.
• Selection of Poultry Breeds : Research and choose suitable poultry breeds that align with your farm’s objectives, whether it’s egg production, broiler meat, or specialty products.
• Sourcing High-Quality Organic Feed : Establish relationships with reputable suppliers of organic feed and ensure a consistent supply for your flock.
• Building Biosecurity Protocols : Implement strict biosecurity measures to protect your birds from diseases and external threats.

b. Purchase and installation of equipment and infrastructure

• Poultry Equipment : Invest in high-quality equipment, including feeders, waterers, heating and ventilation systems, and egg collection facilities.
• Farm Vehicles : Purchase necessary vehicles for transporting feed, eggs, and other materials.
• Electricity and Water Supply : Ensure a reliable electricity and water supply for your farm’s operations.
• Waste Management System : Set up an efficient waste management system to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.

c. Hiring and training of staff

• Recruitment : Hire skilled and dedicated staff to manage various aspects of your poultry farm, including farm managers, caretakers, and administrative personnel.
• Training : Provide comprehensive training to your team members on poultry farming best practices, biosecurity protocols, and animal welfare.
• Employee Benefits : Offer competitive employee benefits to attract and retain talented individuals.

d. Launch date and initial marketing activities

• Soft Launch : Before the full-scale launch, conduct a soft launch to test operations, assess customer feedback, and make necessary adjustments.
• Marketing Strategy : Develop a marketing strategy to promote your organic poultry farming products. Utilize online platforms, social media, and local advertising to reach your target audience.
• Branding and Packaging : Create a distinctive brand identity and attractive packaging for your poultry products.
• Partnerships and Collaborations : Explore partnerships with local retailers, restaurants, and markets to expand your distribution channels.

Summarize the key points of your poultry farming business plan , emphasizing your unique strengths and advantages. Reiterate your commitment to the success of the venture.

Starting a poultry farming business can be a fulfilling and profitable venture. By following this comprehensive guide to creating a well-structured business plan, you increase your chances of success in the competitive poultry industry. Remember, careful planning, diligent execution, and continuous adaptation are essential to achieving your poultry farming goals.

Remember to regularly review and update your business plan to accommodate changing market conditions and new opportunities. With dedication and hard work, your poultry farming business can thrive and become a significant player in the agricultural sector.

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How to write a business plan for a poultry farm?

Writing a business plan for a poultry farm can be an intimidating task, but with the right pointers it doesn't have to be.

This guide is designed to provide aspiring and existing poultry farmers with the information they need to create a comprehensive and effective business plan that covers all of their bases. 

Whether you are starting up or looking to grow your current operation, this guide will walk you through the steps necessary to write a successful business plan for your poultry farm. 

We'll cover why writing a business plan is necessary, what information is needed, what should be included in your business plan, and which tools can help make the process easier. 

With this guide as your roadmap, you'll have everything you need to create an effective and comprehensive business plan for your poultry farm!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a poultry farm?

• Information needed to create a business plan for a poultry farm
• What goes into your poultry farm's financial forecast?

The written part of a poultry farm business plan

• What tool should I use to write my poultry farm business plan?

Writing a business plan for your poultry farm is an essential exercise because of the following reasons:

• A business plan acts as a roadmap for your business
• A business plan is indispensable if you want to secure financing
• A business plan helps you keep track of the progress of your poultry business

A business plan as the roadmap for your poultry business

A good business plan will clarify how your business should move forward, what steps are necessary to ensure success, and how best to use the available resources. 

It also helps identify potential risks before they become problems that might detract you from meeting your business goals.

A business plan helps you to secure financing for your poultry company

Writing a poultry farm business plan is essential if you need to raise capital to start or expand, as investors and banks will use your business plan to determine if an investment in your poultry farm can generate a good return on their investment. They want to see healthy growth, profitability and cash generation outlined in your business plan.

Financiers look at your revenue projections, costs, assets, liabilities, and cashflows to make informed decisions about investing in your business. If the figures in your business plan are not persuasive, your hope of securing financing may become a distant memory. 

Therefore, your poultry business plan must be comprehensive and convincing enough to get the attention of investors and banks.

Tracking the progress of your poultry business

A well-thought-out poultry business plan allows you to evaluate your financial performance to your initial objectives: this enables you to identify any discrepancies between your expectations and reality so that corrective measures can be taken.

For example, if the operating expenses of your poultry business go up 5% more than what is in your business plan: you could make adjustments to correct the situation. 

You may also define goals and targets for the next 3 to 5 years and use your business plan to track your progress.

Now that we've covered why it's vital, let's look at the information you need to construct a business plan for a poultry farm. 

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What information is needed to create a business plan for a poultry farm?

Carrying out market research for a poultry farm.

Carrying out market research before writing a business plan for a poultry farm is crucial to forecasting revenues and devising an effective strategy. 

Market research offers insightful information on the state of the sector, including competitor analyses, consumer preferences, and trends that could influence upcoming sales. 

You should seek to answer critical questions like:

• How has the poultry sector fared in recent years?
• Who is the competition? What is my competitive edge?
• Which market segments - production, processing, and breeding - are the most lucrative?
• What are pricing and profit margins like?
• What have been the upcoming trends in consumer behaviour in the poultry sector?
• How long does it take from breeding to bird sales?
• Is the poultry sector highly seasonal? Putting into consideration festive periods.

Knowing these details will allow you to make informed decisions when creating your poultry business plan and ensure your goals are realistic and achievable.

Developing the marketing plan for a poultry farm

Before writing a poultry business plan, you must develop a comprehensive marketing plan. This will account for the budget allocated towards sales and marketing activities such as advertising, promotion, and pricing strategies.

Your marketing plan should also outline strategies you will use to sell your products/services to your target customers and any measures put in place to track progress.

The staffing and equipment needs of a poultry farm

It is critical to consider all necessary investments, such as staffing and equipment requirements, and any potential overhead costs.

For a startup entrepreneur in the poultry business sector, some of the initial costs required to bring the idea to life may include:

• Cost of renting land
• Construction costs
• Cost of buying the birds
• Vaccination
• Hiring a veterinary doctor
• Labour costs
• Equipment costs

Once you have gathered the information needed to create a business plan for a poultry farm, it is time to take the next step and make a financial forecast. This will help you determine how much money you need to invest in your farm and what kind of returns can be expected from your investments. 

What is the financial forecast for a poultry farm?

The financial forecast for a poultry farm includes the Profit and Loss (P&L) statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. 

The projected P&L statement

A projected P&L statement for a poultry business plan provides an estimate of how much money the farm may make in the near future (3-5 years). 

It tells investors and banks if your business is expected to be profitable and by how much it is anticipated to grow. This information helps your financiers decide if they want to finance your poultry farm.

The projected balance sheet of your poultry farm

The balance sheet for a poultry business plan is an essential financial statement that helps to examine a company's present financial situation. 

It provides a snapshot of all the assets a business owns, such as cash, inventory, equipment, buildings, and property; as well as all of its liabilities like loans and accounts payable (an account that tracks credit purchases). 

This information assists lenders and investors in understanding how the poultry farm is spending its finances and evaluating your company's ability to pay its long-term debt (solvency) and short-term debt (liquidity).

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow statement for a poultry business plan shows how much money comes in and goes out of the farm during the period under observation. 

A projected cash flow statement helps you plan and ensure that you have enough cash to operate the farm. In addition, Investors are interested in seeing how their cash will be used to grow your business.

The initial financing plan

An initial financing plan helps you keep track of the money needed to start a poultry farm. It shows how much money you need and where it should come from. The initial financing plan is also called the sources and uses table. 

The table shows all the different sources of funds, like loans or investments, and how they will be used for expenses such as buying equipment. 

A trustworthy financial forecast is a necessary component of any business plan for a poultry farm, but it is not the only piece of information needed. 

To get a holistic view of your business, readers will also need to understand the context behind the numbers - and that comes from the written part of your poultry farm business plan, which we are going to be looking at next.

The written part of a poultry business plan is composed of seven main sections:

The executive summary

The presentation of the company, the products and services section, the market analysis, the strategy section, the operations section.

• The financial plan

The executive summary section of your poultry business plan should give an overview of the other six sections of the business plan (above) and should cover the following:

• A thorough overview of the poultry business
• Your goals and objectives
• Your business strategy
• The target market
• The organisational structure of your business
• Key financials and funding requirements

The executive summary section of your business plan should grab the attention of readers and encourage them to read the rest of the business plan

When writing this section of your business plan, you should cover the structure and ownership of the farm, its location, and its management team. 

The legal structure of the farm, such as whether it is a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc., as well as any ownership details, such as who owns what stake in the business and how that might influence decision-making, should be clearly described.

Next, information regarding the poultry farm's location must be presented to give readers a better understanding of its potential customer base. Providing location data, such as the street address and nearby cities and transport infrastructure will give potential investors an idea of how accessible the farm is for customers.

Lastly, a description of the management team and each individual's qualifications and experience in operating a poultry farm should be included. 

Through this information, potential investors will be able to assess the level of expertise and experience that exists within the team. 

For potential investors and lenders, the products and services component of your poultry farm's business plan is critical.

It should provide detailed information on what types of poultry (chicken, duck, turkey, etc.) your farm will be raising, how many birds it plans to produce, how much land and equipment is needed to run the operations and any other relevant details about production capacities.

This section should also include an analysis of the market for your products or services to demonstrate that there is enough demand for your business to be profitable. 

This includes researching competitors’ prices and marketing strategies, understanding customer needs, identifying areas where there may be untapped potential markets, and developing a strategy to differentiate yourself from the competition.

Additionally, this section should discuss any long-term goals or objectives related to product development or expansion into new markets that may help increase profitability over time.

When writing the market analysis section of your poultry business plan, it is vital to include information about demographics and segmentation, target markets, barriers to entry and competition. 

Demographics and segmentation should focus on the characteristics of the different customer segments in your target market. This information demonstrates to lenders and investors that there is demand for what you offer, that demand is sufficient, and that you have a reasonable grasp of the market.

Additionally, including information about your target market in your business plan ensures that the products and services your business offers are in line with market demands.

Finally, the competition analysis, when effectively presented, shows how viable your target market is and how well-positioned you are to compete.

When writing the strategy section of your poultry farm business plan, it is essential to include information on your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales and marketing plan, milestones and risks and mitigants (how you will reduce risks). 

The competitive edge should explain why customers would choose your poultry farm over other businesses offering similar services, and discuss factors such as location, quality of product or customer service standards. 

Also, the pricing strategy should detail how you intend to price products for maximum profitability while remaining competitive within the market. 

It may also be useful to explain your sales and marketing strategy, which should describe how you intend to reach your potential customers and raise brand awareness through various channels, such as social media and print advertising. 

Furthermore, milestones that demonstrate to investors that you have defined growth and development objectives should also be mentioned. 

Lastly, describing potential risks with mitigations shows that you are aware of potential difficulties and have strategies in place to deal with them.

Presenting this information clearly in a business plan helps demonstrate that you have thoroughly considered all aspects of running your poultry farm successfully before launching operations.

The operations section of your poultry farm business plan should include detailed information about your staffing team, roles of staff members, and recruitment plan. It is also vital to list the specific positions that need to be filled, including those necessary for daily operations and those needed for administrative tasks. 

This section of the business plan should also include:

• The operating hours and any shifts or required rotations.
• The essential resources and intellectual property the company needs to run, such as permits and licenses.
• Information about which suppliers you plan to partner with, what kind of services they will provide and their commercial terms. 

When you provide investors with a comprehensive overview of the operations of your poultry farm, they will be better informed about how the business is expected to run and can make an educated decision about whether or not to invest in it. 

The presentation of the financial plan

In the financial plan section, you should talk about the financial forecast that we talked about earlier in this guide. 

This section is crucial because it contains all the facts necessary to demonstrate how much cash you will require and the costs associated with operating a poultry farm.

Now that you know what to include in a poultry farm business plan, it's time to discuss the tools and resources that can be used to create one. 

What tool should I use to write my poultry farm's business plan?

The three main options for drafting a business plan for a poultry farm are: using Word and Excel, paying a consultant to write the plan, or using online business plan software.

Create your poultry farm's business plan using Word or Excel

Creating a poultry farm business plan using Word or Excel might look like a cheap solution, but these programs have their challenges. 

• You start from a blank screen with no guided instructions
• It can’t be used to construct a financial forecast
• You have to be an expert in financial modelling to come up with an accurate forecast
• It takes a long time to create a complete forecast with Excel

Even if you successfully employ Word and Excel to create your company strategy, the problem of trust still exists. Will investors trust the outcome of your forecasts? That brings us to the next point.

Hire a consultant to write your poultry farm's business plan

Outsourcing a poultry farm business plan to a consultant or accountant is a viable option that can provide you with useful assistance while developing your business plan. 

Consultants are often experienced in writing business plans and accountants can create accurate financial forecasts. 

The only drawbacks to this solution are:

• Hiring a consultant or an accountant is expensive. The bare minimum for hiring a consultant is usually $2,000 (£1,500), excluding any additional changes required after the first version.
• An accountant will only help with the financial forecast section of your plan (you’d have to hire a consultant separately).
• There is the risk of them not understanding the poultry industry adequately to make recommendations or make a strong case to your financiers.

This leaves us with the third option.

Writing the business plan for a poultry farm yourself with an online business plan software

You might want to take matters into your own hands and write your poultry business plan using online business plan software. After all, nobody understands and is more passionate about your business than you do.

Some of the advantages of using an online business plan software are:

• It makes creating a financial forecast that will wow investors a breeze
• You don’t have to start from a blank screen (like in Word) and step-by-step instructions are provided for you for each section
• Helps you to confidently create your plan without worrying that you left out a crucial part
• Detail outline ensures that everything is covered
• Ensures that your plan follows the structure that investors and lenders expect
• You save time with the clear instructions provided
• Relevant examples are provided
• No knowledge of accounting required
• You don’t have to be a financial modelling expert
• No confusing Excel formulas
• A professional business plan template is provided, in which you could replace the texts and numbers with your business details to make it your own.

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try our software for free by signing up here .

We hope that this article has helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a poultry farm. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• Business plan steps
• How to write a five-year business plan?
• Mistakes to avoid in a business plan

Know someone in the poultry farm industry? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Poultry Farming: 9 Tips on Making Your Business Plan

Before you go to market with your top-quality eggs or meat, put your poultry farming business plan in writing to ensure financial success., 1. what makes a poultry farm profitable.

• Poultry chicks are inexpensive.
• Feed costs can be reduced if opting to raise free-range birds or by supplementing with food scraps.
• Many existing buildings can be converted with minimal alterations to successfully engage in poultry farming.

2. Creating a Farm Mission Statement

3. what to consider when setting up your poultry farm, poultry breeds, flock management style.

• free-range : your flocks will have essentially unfettered access to forage around your property at will
• floor-raise: your flocks are not confined to a cage, but may not have access to the outdoors and forage
• cage-raise: the birds live in cages for the duration of their lives

Poultry Equipment

Poultry health maintenance, 4. where to find investors, traditional lending sources, alternative funding sources, 5. staffing your operation, 6. accounting & record-keeping, 7. finding your niche & analyzing your market, 8. marketing your chicken/eggs, 9. following poultry-farm regulations.

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Professional guide on how to make your poultry farm business plan

Starting poultry farm business requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. A well-developed poultry farm business plan is essential for success in this industry. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a professional poultry farm business plan while highlighting the benefits of incorporating battery chicken cage systems.

Understanding the Importance of a Poultry Farm Business Plan

A business plan is crucial for poultry farming success as it serves as a roadmap for your venture. It outlines your business goals, strategies, and the steps you’ll take to achieve them. Key components include market research, feasibility studies, financial projections, and risk assessments.

Conducting thorough market research and feasibility studies helps you understand the dynamics of the poultry industry, identify potential challenges, and assess the demand for poultry products in your target market.

Defining Your Poultry Farming Goals and Objectives

Identifying your target market and customer segments is vital. Understanding consumer preferences allows you to tailor your products and marketing strategies accordingly. Set realistic production and sales targets based on market demand and your production capacity.

Develop a clear mission statement and vision for your poultry farm. This not only guides your business decisions but also communicates your values to customers and stakeholders.

Choosing the Right Poultry Housing System Battery Chicken Cage Systems

Battery chicken cage systems provide a modern and efficient housing solution for poultry farming. These systems offer several advantages over traditional methods, including space optimization, improved cleanliness, and better disease control.

Enhance productivity, efficiency, and animal welfare with battery chicken cage systems. These systems allow for easier monitoring of individual birds, optimized feeding, and waste management.

Financial Planning and Analysis

Estimate startup costs, including the purchase of battery chicken cage systems, construction, and initial operating expenses. Create a detailed budget for ongoing costs such as feed, veterinary care, and utilities.

Project revenue and profit margins based on your production and sales forecasts. A sound financial plan is essential for securing funding and ensuring the long-term viability of your poultry farm.

Marketing and Sales Strategies

Develop a strong brand identity for your poultry farm. A compelling brand helps distinguish your products in the market. Identify effective marketing channels to reach your target audience, such as social media, local markets, and partnerships with retailers.

Building customer loyalty is crucial. Offer quality products, excellent customer service, and consider loyalty programs to retain customers. Expand your sales network by exploring new distribution channels and partnerships.

Operational Considerations

Select the right breed and age of chickens based on your production goals and market demand. Implement proper biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks. Efficient feed management and waste disposal practices contribute to the sustainability of your poultry farm.

Risk Management and Contingency Planning

Identify potential risks such as disease outbreaks, market fluctuations, and adverse weather conditions. Develop contingency plans for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. Implement proper insurance coverage to mitigate financial risks associated with poultry farming.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track your progress. Regularly review and update your business plan to adapt to changing market conditions and industry trends. Seek professional advice and support to optimize your business operations and stay ahead in the dynamic poultry farming industry .

Developing a professional poultry farm business plan is a crucial step towards building a successful and sustainable venture. By incorporating battery chicken cage systems into your plan, you can enhance productivity, improve animal welfare, and maximize profitability. Remember, continuous learning and adaptation are essential in this dynamic industry, so stay informed and seek expert guidance when needed. Best of luck on your poultry farming journey!

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Feeding the World with America’s Poultry Farmers

Tyson Foods began as a chicken business, nearly 90 years ago, and today, we are one of the leading supporters of U.S. poultry farmers. We depend on our network of small and independent farmers to supply our plants – and we only succeed when they also succeed. 

We have been working with poultry farmers on a contractual basis since the late 1940s. We supply the birds and feed, as well as technical expertise, while the poultry farmer provides the labor, housing and utilities to support the birds. This benefits the farmers because it insulates the farmer from the risk of changing market prices for chicken and feed ingredients such as corn and soybean meal, which represents most of the cost of raising a chicken. So, farmers’ compensation is not dependent on what the feed costs or prices at the grocery store. This benefits American consumers because the incentive-based pay system helps keep the price of nutritious chicken affordable for millions of families and the foodservice industry.

This system has been successfully helping feed America – and the world – for nearly a century. Today, as demand for chicken goes up, it is to our benefit to help all of our partner farmers deliver healthy birds to help meet this demand. When they succeed, our own business does better.  In fact, a 2022 study by Agriculture Economist, Dr. Thomas Elam found that the median income of contract poultry farmers was significantly higher than both all farm households and all U.S. households.

Today, we pay nearly $820 million annually to the more than 3,600 poultry farmers who contract with us. Traditionally, companies like Tyson provide incentives to farmers to deliver safer, healthier and better quality chickens: while every farmer gets paid a base rate, farmers who deliver birds above the average standard can receive a bonus that’s based off a points system. Simply put, Tyson pays more for better performance – a concept shared across many industries.

However, we recognize there are other ways to incentivize performance, and so we’ve been piloting different types of payment systems. For example, at our Humboldt, Tennessee facility, farmers get a base rate depending on the size of their poultry barns. They can also receive bonuses depending on the quality and efficiency of their flock. 

Respecting our Partners

We respect and value the contribution of the farmers we work with, and have detailed guidance for our relationship in the Tyson Foods’  Contract Poultry Farmers’ Bill of Rights , which we launched in in 2018. Highlights include farmers’ right to:

• Information detailing how much they are paid. • Discuss their contract with outside parties, including legal counsel. • A fixed length contract that can only be terminated for cause. • Join an association of contract poultry farmers.  • Industry leading poultry welfare standards and training on those standards.

We also established a Contract Poultry Farmer Advisory Council so we could have open, transparent communications between poultry farmers and Tyson. One of the outcomes of this council was the creation of an app that gives farmers access to real time information on when the company will deliver chicks from the hatchery or feed to their farms, allowing them time to properly prepare their facilities for the birds.

Vinh and Jeremy - A Family Farm

We proudly work with thousands of independent poultry farmers across the country every day, bringing quality protein from family farms to family tables. Some families, like Jeremy and Vinh’s, have been raising chickens for us for generations. For them, it's more than just a reputation; it's about producing good, quality product for the consumer. And Vinh says farming is one of the best decisions he’s made!

William and Leah - Feeding the World

William and his wife Leah grew up farming. They know the value of hard work and wanted to pass that on to their kids. Leah is thankful for their working relationship with Tyson and the service techs that assist them daily. For them, farming is a source of pride – a labor of love to help feed the world.

Doug and June - Dedicated to Quality

Meet Doug and June, a family that has put their heart and soul into farming for over 40 years. Doug says he’s proud to be a poultry farmer for Tyson Foods, a name that represents fair, competitive pay, animal welfare standards and everyone working together to ensure a quality product.

American Made: Is Tyson Chicken Produced in the USA? 

Meet Bill and Jeff. Bill is a Truck Driver for Tyson Foods and Jeff is a poultry farmer. They’ve been friends for 5 decades. They grew up together and spent their whole life in the same community. Jeff is thankful for the oversight, technology and advancements in the American farming industry. As Jeff says, farmers are important and he’s built something pretty special.

We’re Committed – Grant

Farmer Grant is looking forward to passing down his farm to his son. Poultry farming has made his diversified operation financially stable enough to do that. He believes you get out of it what you put into it with poultry farming. He takes good care of his chickens and he sees the results when he sells them. He takes pride in feeding the world. He knows chicken doesn’t just come from grocery stores, it comes from farms.

Scott - A Third Generation Grower

Scott's family has been raising chickens for us for generations. For them, it’s a source of pride - and a labor of love. Thank you for helping feed the world.

Tyson Poultry Farmer – Jacque

Farmer Jacque and her husband grew up farming. They know the value of hard work and wanted to pass that on to their kids. She’s keenly focused on animal welfare.

We're Committed - Vinh

Farmer Vinh left a job as a systems administrator for the opportunity to farm so that he could see his efforts pay off and to have something to leave to his children.

The practice of farmers raising chickens under contract for poultry processing companies has been around since the 1930s and is the industry standard. Tyson Foods has been working with poultry farmers on a contract basis since the late 1940s and it’s been a relationship we believe works well for both the farmer and the company. We supply the birds and feed, and provide technical advice, while the poultry farmer provides the labor, housing and utilities. This cooperation between Tyson Foods and family farms increases efficiency and quality, while maintaining affordable prices for consumers.

The average farmer has been raising chickens for Tyson Foods for 17 years. Some farm families have been raising chickens for us for three generations.

Contract farming insulates the farmer from the risk of changing market prices for chicken and feed ingredients such as corn and soybean meal, which represents the majority of the cost of raising chicken. So, farmers’ compensation is not dependent on what the feed costs or prices at the grocery store.

The average contract poultry farmer has been raising chickens for Tyson Foods for nearly 17 years. Nearly 30% of our contract poultry farmers have been raising birds for us for three generations, speaking to the strength of the relationship with Tyson. And we often receive inquiries from other famers, also interested in raising chickens for us.

The average contract we have with our poultry farmers is for 10 years.

We use a performance-based incentive system that rewards poultry farmers for raising high quality birds. The details are outlined in the written contracts with the farms. All farmers get paid a minimum base rate for the chickens they raise and can also earn a premium for bird quality. The incentive system rewards poultry farmers who safely and effectively raise chickens that meet our customers’ demands – while meeting all standards of animal welfare.

The payment formula includes such factors as the number of birds, amount of feed used, the performance of their flock compared to those raised by other contract farmers and the weight of the birds delivered to the processing plant.

No. It’s used by many poultry processing companies in the U.S to determine farmer compensation and keep nutritious chicken affordable for millions of American families and restaurants.

Income from chicken farming varies and depends on a number of factors. For some farmers, it’s a sole source of income. For many, it’s supplemental income to another job or the raising of crops or other livestock. In fact, a 2022 study by Agriculture Economist, Dr. Thomas Elam found that the median income of contract poultry farmers was significantly higher than both all farm households and all U.S. households. The farmers we work with are also paid in a timely manner—receiving their first payment promptly before the close of the 15 th day following the week in which they were delivered to the plant.

The poultry processor-broiler chicken farmer relationship is extensively regulated by federal law. For example, by law farmers are entitled to:

• A written copy of their contract with the poultry company.
• Information detailing how much they are paid.
• Information explaining how a contract can be cancelled.
• Right to a 90-day written notice of the processor’s intention to terminate the contract.
• Right to terminate the contract with the processor by giving a 90-day written notice.
• Right to discuss their contract with outside parties.
• Right to join an association of farmers.

Chicken farming is like any other business; people often have to borrow some money to start, improve or expand their operations. Each of our contract chicken farmers must decide on their own the size and scope of their operations and how much debt they are willing to take on.

Other than improvements, maintenance, or repairs to address animal well-being issues, we do not require equipment or housing specification upgrades in the middle of contracts. In recent years, the technology to modernize chicken housing has become more widely used in the industry and benefits are better known, so we require farmers to meet a set of housing specifications that are outlined in the contracts. The benefits of more modern housing include a more comfortable living environment for the birds with improved ventilation and more uniform temperatures through the barn. It also saves energy to heat and cool the house which is a savings for the farmer.

We work closely with our farmers, including regular visits from our service technicians to provide support and technical expertise. In fact, we invest more than $30 million every year to help small, independent farmers implement agricultural best practices, including animal welfare. If a farmer is not performing well, we have a program in place designed to help get them, and their small business, back on track.

All farmers who grow chickens for Tyson Foods have rights, which are part of their contract. The rights are outlined in the  CONTRACT POULTRY FARMERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS .

At facilities like Humboldt, Tennessee, farmers get a base rate depending on the size of their poultry operation. They can also receive bonuses depending on the quality and efficiency of their flock.

Additional Resources

A Birds Eye View of How Chicken Farmers Are Paid :

This structure – based on the most fundamental elements of any business atmosphere – is the best way to ensure that chicken farmers are rewarded for producing quality chickens in an environmentally sustainable way. It also ensures that the welfare of the birds is the farmers’ top priority.

Building A Future in Rural Arkansas: A Tyson Farmer Story

by Cheyenne Autry Striefler

When Alex, our videographer, and I got to Brian’s house in Arkansas, he pulled out mugs and started heating up water for tea. He said he had coffee, too, if we preferred, and his wife Lisa would soon be back with breakfast. The sun had just come up.

Brian had already done his morning checks at the chicken houses while Lisa took their three daughters to school. Their youngest, Victoria, was starting kindergarten and nervous about her first day. Lisa later told me over sausage rolls and donuts how Victoria had changed her dress three times that morning. 

Committed to Enhancing Communications with Poultry Farmers

by Doug Ramsey

As part of our journey to continually live our purpose, we’re launching several initiatives aimed at enhancing communications and transparency with the thousands of independent farmers who grow chickens for our company.

Yesterday we mailed every farmer a copy of the  CONTRACT POULTRY FARMERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS  along with a note explaining that we’re developing an advisory council made up of farmers and we’ll be investing in new communications technology with our growers in mind.

From Farm to Family Table: Butler and Geurin Family Farms

by Morgan Watchous

Family farms are more than a business, they are a livelihood, and they are raising the next generation of farmers.

To learn more about how the families we work with operate, we sat down with the Butlers and Geurins–two families who have owned and operated their own family farms for multiple generations in Northwest Arkansas.

From Farm to Family Table: Stoni Jo, Poultry Breeder

Where does the food we put on our family tables come from? Who grows, harvests and prepares it for us?

More of today’s consumers want to know the story behind our food. Beginning at the farm and emerging as a culinary creation on our tables, there’s a journey to maintaining a robust and sustainable food system. To dive deeper into the story, we sat down with poultry farmer Stoni Jo, whose family-owned farm contracts with Tyson Foods, to hear how her role as a poultry breeder contributes to the food system–and how she plays a fundamental role in preparing good food for family tables.

• TYSON FOODS’ FARMERS PAGE
• CHICKENCHECK.IN – AN INDUSTRY SOURCE
• A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CHICKEN
• Contract Poultry Farmers’ Bill of Rights
• Poultry Farmer Advisory Council
• www.FarmWithTyson.com
• FarmCheck® Program
• What is a contract grower? How and why do farmers and chicken companies partner to raise chickens?

How To Write a Business Plan for Chicken Farm in 9 Steps: Checklist

By alex ryzhkov, resources on chicken farm.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan

Welcome to our blog post on how to write a business plan for a chicken farm! Whether you're looking to enter the thriving chicken farming industry or expand your existing farm, this comprehensive checklist will guide you through the essential steps for success. With the demand for poultry products steadily rising in the US, now is a great time to explore this lucrative venture.

Did you know? The chicken farming industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade. According to the latest statistics, the market size for poultry farming in the US reached an impressive $52.1 billion in 2020, demonstrating a steady annual growth rate of 3.4% since 2015.

Now, let's dive into the nine crucial steps that will help you create a winning business plan for your chicken farm.

• Research the chicken farming industry
• Identify the target market
• Assess the competition
• Determine the legal and regulatory requirements
• Calculate the initial investment and financing options
• Conduct a feasibility study
• Define the business goals and objectives
• Develop a marketing strategy
• Outline the operational and management plan

By closely following each of these steps, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the chicken farming industry and establish a successful and sustainable business. Let's get started!

Research the Chicken Farming Industry

Before starting a chicken farm, it is essential to thoroughly research the chicken farming industry. This step will provide valuable insights into the market, industry trends, and potential challenges that may arise. Here are some key points to consider during your research:

• Familiarize yourself with the different types of chicken farming operations, such as broiler production, egg production, or both.
• Understand the overall demand for chicken products in your target market. Analyze factors like population size, income levels, and consumption patterns.
• Identify the various distribution channels for chicken products. Determine whether you will sell directly to grocery stores, restaurants, or local markets.
• Learn about the regulations and requirements specific to the chicken farming industry. This includes understanding the necessary permits, licenses, and certifications needed to operate legally.
• Stay updated on industry trends, such as the increasing demand for organic or free-range chicken. Assess the potential market for specialty chicken products to identify niche opportunities.
• Study the potential challenges and risks associated with chicken farming. Consider factors like disease outbreaks, feed costs, and market fluctuations.

Tips for Researching the Chicken Farming Industry:

• Attend industry conferences or seminars to network with experienced chicken farmers and gain valuable insights.
• Read industry publications, market reports, and online resources to stay up to date with the latest trends and best practices.
• Connect with local farming associations and organizations for guidance and support.
• Visit existing chicken farms in your area to observe their operations and learn from their experiences.

Identify The Target Market

Identifying the target market is a critical step in developing a business plan for a chicken farm. By clearly defining your target market, you can effectively tailor your products and marketing strategies to meet their needs and preferences. Here are some key considerations when identifying your target market:

• Demographics: Start by examining the demographics of your potential customers. Consider factors such as age, gender, income level, and location. These details will help you understand who your target audience is and how to reach them.
• Consumer Behavior: Understand the habits and preferences of your target market. Are they health-conscious individuals looking for organic or free-range chicken? Do they value locally sourced products? By understanding their buying behavior, you can align your products and marketing efforts accordingly.
• Competition: Analyze the existing chicken-focused businesses in your target market. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and find opportunities to differentiate your farm from the competition. This will help you position your products effectively and attract customers.
• Niche Market: Consider focusing on a specific niche market, such as organic or free-range chicken, to differentiate yourself from larger-scale poultry farms. Niche markets often have dedicated customers willing to pay a premium for specialized products.
• Market Size and Growth Potential: Evaluate the size of your target market and its growth potential. Are there enough customers in your target market to support your farm's production capacity and expansion plans? Understanding the growth potential will help you plan for future expansion and potential market changes.
• Conduct market research and surveys to gather data on consumer preferences, needs, and buying behavior.
• Utilize social media platforms and online forums to engage with your target market and gather insights from potential customers.
• Consider partnering with local restaurants, grocery stores, or food retailers to understand their specific needs and requirements.
• Regularly monitor industry trends, customer feedback, and market dynamics to adapt and refine your target market strategy accordingly.

Assess The Competition

When starting a chicken farm, it is essential to assess the competition in your target market. Understanding your competitors' strengths and weaknesses will help you develop strategies to differentiate your business and stand out in the market.

1. Research Existing Chicken Farms:

• Identify other chicken farms in your area or region.
• Look for farms that offer similar products or target the same market segment.
• Study their business models, pricing strategies, and marketing tactics to gain insights.

2. Identify Competitive Advantages:

• Determine what sets your chicken farm apart from the competition.
• Highlight unique selling points such as organic or free-range products, high-quality standards, or sustainable farming practices.
• Consider how you can leverage these advantages to attract and retain customers.

3. Analyze Pricing and Profitability:

• Compare the pricing strategies of your competitors.
• Evaluate whether their pricing aligns with the quality and value they offer.
• Assess the profitability of their business models to determine if there are opportunities for cost optimization or product differentiation.
• Visit local grocery stores, restaurants, and food retailers to observe which chicken products they stock and at what prices.
• Consider conducting customer surveys or focus groups to gather insights on their preferences and experiences with competing chicken farms.
• Stay updated on industry trends and innovations to anticipate and respond to changes in the competitive landscape.

4. Evaluate Customer Feedback:

• Research online reviews or customer feedback about competing chicken farms.
• Identify areas where competitors may be falling short in meeting customer expectations.
• Strive to address those gaps and provide superior customer satisfaction.

By thoroughly assessing the competition, you can position your chicken farm as a strong and appealing option for customers. Keep in mind that ongoing monitoring of the competitive landscape is essential for staying ahead in the market.

Determine The Legal And Regulatory Requirements

When starting a chicken farm, it is important to understand the legal and regulatory requirements that apply to your business. These requirements may vary depending on your location, so it is crucial to research and comply with both state and federal laws.

Some of the key legal and regulatory considerations for a chicken farm include:

• Obtaining necessary permits and licenses: Check with local authorities to determine the permits and licenses required to operate a chicken farm. This may include zoning permits, environmental permits, and health permits.
• Complying with food safety regulations: As a producer of poultry products, you must adhere to food safety regulations to ensure the quality and safety of the chicken you sell. This includes following proper handling, storage, and processing procedures.
• Meeting animal welfare standards: Animal welfare is an important aspect of operating a chicken farm. Familiarize yourself with the animal welfare guidelines and regulations enforced by your state or country, and ensure that your farm provides an appropriate and humane environment for the chickens.
• Understanding labor laws: If you plan to hire employees, it is important to comply with labor laws such as minimum wage, working hours, and workplace safety regulations. Consult with an employment attorney or HR specialist to ensure you are meeting all legal requirements.
• Consult with an attorney: It is always a good idea to seek legal counsel to ensure that you are fully informed about all the legal and regulatory requirements specific to your chicken farming business.
• Stay updated on regulations: As regulations and requirements may change over time, make it a priority to stay informed about any new laws or guidelines that may affect your operations. Join industry associations and subscribe to relevant newsletters or publications for updates.
• Maintain thorough records: Documentation is vital in demonstrating compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Keep detailed records of permits, licenses, employee training, food safety processes, and any other relevant documentation to easily prove your adherence to regulations.

Calculate The Initial Investment And Financing Options

Calculating the initial investment required for your chicken farm is a crucial step in starting your business. It is important to have a clear understanding of the financial aspects to ensure that you are adequately prepared and have sufficient resources to get your farm up and running.

1. Assessing Start-up Costs:

Begin by estimating the various costs involved in setting up your chicken farm. This may include acquiring land or leasing a suitable space, constructing chicken houses, purchasing equipment and machinery, buying chicks or eggs to hatch, and acquiring necessary permits and licenses. Break down these costs to get a comprehensive understanding of the initial investment required.

2. Research Financing Options:

Once you have calculated the initial investment, explore different financing options available to you. This can include personal savings, loans from banks or credit unions, investments from partners or investors, or even government grants or programs specifically tailored for agricultural ventures. Research the requirements, terms, and interest rates associated with each option to determine the most suitable and feasible choice for your business.

• Consider approaching agricultural lending institutions or organizations that specialize in financing for farming businesses.
• Prepare a well-crafted business plan to present to potential lenders or investors to showcase the profitability and sustainability of your chicken farm.
• Explore local or state-level agricultural programs that offer financial assistance or grants to support new farm ventures.

3. Cash Flow Management:

Additionally, it is crucial to consider the management of your farm's cash flow. Anticipate the expenses required for ongoing operations, including feed, veterinary care, utilities, labor, marketing, and insurance. Ensure that you have sufficient capital to sustain your business during the initial stages when profitability may be lower.

4. Seek Professional Guidance:

If you are unsure about how to calculate the initial investment or explore financing options, consider seeking guidance from professionals in the field. A financial advisor or consultant experienced in the agricultural sector can provide valuable insights and assist you in making informed decisions.

By thoroughly calculating the initial investment required for your chicken farm and exploring available financing options, you will be better equipped to kick-start your business with a solid financial foundation.

Conduct A Feasibility Study

Conducting a feasibility study is a crucial step in determining the viability of your chicken farm business. This study helps you evaluate the potential risks, challenges, and opportunities associated with starting and running a chicken farm. It allows you to assess whether your business idea can be translated into a profitable venture.

During the feasibility study, you need to analyze various factors that can impact the success of your chicken farm. These factors may include the market demand for fresh or frozen chicken, the availability and cost of resources such as feed and chicks, the competition in the poultry industry, and the regulatory requirements imposed by the local authorities.

When conducting a feasibility study for your chicken farm, consider the following key points:

• Market Demand: Determine the demand for chicken products in your target market. Analyze the current market trends, consumer preferences, and potential growth opportunities.
• Resource Availability and Cost: Evaluate the availability and cost of resources required for chicken farming, such as chicken feed, chicks, and housing facilities. Determine whether you can source these resources locally or if there are any logistical challenges.
• Competition: Research and analyze the existing competition in the poultry industry. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate how your chicken farm can differentiate itself to attract customers.
• Regulatory Requirements: Understand the legal and regulatory requirements for starting and operating a chicken farm. Ensure that you comply with all the necessary permits, licenses, and health and safety regulations.
• Financial Viability: Determine the financial feasibility of your chicken farm business. Calculate the initial investment required, including the cost of purchasing land, constructing facilities, buying equipment, and covering operational expenses. Assess the potential return on investment and the profitability of your venture.
• Consult with industry experts or experienced chicken farmers to gain valuable insights and guidance.
• Visit other chicken farms and observe their operations to learn from their practices and identify areas for improvement.
• Consider conducting surveys or interviews with potential customers to gauge their preferences and willingness to buy your chicken products.
• Create a comprehensive financial analysis, including cash flow projections, to assess the financial viability of your business.

By conducting a feasibility study, you can make informed decisions about starting and operating your chicken farm. It will help you identify potential challenges, mitigate risks, and develop strategies to maximize the profitability and sustainability of your business.

Define The Business Goals And Objectives

Defining clear and specific business goals and objectives is crucial for the success of your chicken farm. These goals and objectives will serve as a guiding framework that helps you stay focused and aligned with your overall vision for the business.

When defining your business goals, consider what you want to achieve in both the short-term and long-term. This could include financial targets such as revenue and profit margins, as well as operational goals like expanding your customer base or improving productivity.

To ensure that your goals are achievable and realistic, it is important to make them measurable and time-bound. This means setting specific targets that can be easily tracked and evaluated. For example, aiming to increase sales by 10% within the first year or reducing production costs by 5% in six months.

A crucial aspect of defining your business goals and objectives is aligning them with your unique selling proposition (USP) and market positioning. Determine what sets your chicken farm apart from the competition and how you plan to leverage those strengths to achieve your goals.

• Set realistic and achievable goals: Avoid setting goals that are too ambitious or unattainable within the given timeframe. This will help you maintain motivation and track progress effectively.
• Break down larger goals into smaller milestones: Breaking down big goals into smaller, manageable milestones can make them more attainable and easier to track.
• Regularly review and revise your goals: As your business evolves, it's important to regularly review and update your goals to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with your current circumstances.
• Communicate goals with your team: Clearly communicate your goals and objectives with your team members, so everyone is aligned and working towards a common purpose.

By defining your business goals and objectives, you will have a clear roadmap to guide your actions and measure your progress. This will ultimately contribute to the long-term success and growth of your chicken farm.

Develop A Marketing Strategy

Developing an effective marketing strategy is crucial for a chicken farm business to reach its target market and attract customers. Here are some key steps to consider:

1. Identify your target market: Before you can effectively market your chicken farm, you need to identify your target market. Determine who your ideal customers are, such as grocery stores, restaurants, or individual consumers, and understand their needs and preferences.

2. Establish your unique selling proposition: Differentiate your chicken farm from competitors by highlighting what sets you apart. This could include offering organic or free-range chicken, ensuring high-quality standards, or providing excellent customer service.

3. Craft your brand: Develop a strong brand identity that resonates with your target market. This includes creating a compelling logo, designing visually appealing packaging, and developing a consistent brand voice and messaging.

4. Create a digital presence: In today's digital age, it's essential to have a strong online presence. Build a professional website that showcases your farm, products, and values. Utilize social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to engage with your audience and promote your business.

5. Use targeted advertising: Identify the most effective advertising channels to reach your target market. This could include placing ads in local newspapers, magazines, or relevant websites. Consider utilizing online advertising platforms, such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads, to target specific demographics and geographic locations.

6. Build relationships with customers: Focus on building long-term, trusted relationships with your customers. Offer exceptional customer service, respond to inquiries promptly, and provide personalized experiences. Consider implementing loyalty programs or offering incentives to encourage repeat business.

Marketing Strategy Tips:

• Attend local food and trade shows to showcase your chicken farm and establish connections with potential customers.
• Collaborate with local restaurants or food retailers to offer exclusive products or promotions.
• Utilize content marketing by creating informative blog posts, videos, or recipes that highlight the benefits and versatility of your chicken products.
• Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of your marketing efforts through metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and sales data.

By developing a well-planned marketing strategy, you can effectively promote your chicken farm and attract customers who appreciate the quality and values your business offers.

Outline The Operational And Management Plan

The operational and management plan is crucial for the success of a chicken farm business. It outlines how the farm will be organized and managed on a day-to-day basis, ensuring the smooth running of operations and maximizing efficiency. Here are the key elements to include in the operational and management plan:

• Organizational structure: Define the roles and responsibilities of each member on the farm, including owners, managers, and farm workers. Clearly outline the reporting structure and communication channels to ensure effective coordination.
• Facilities and equipment: Detail the infrastructure required for the farm, such as the chicken coops, feeding systems, and waste management facilities. Specify the equipment needed, such as feeders, waterers, and temperature control systems, ensuring they meet industry standards and comply with regulations.
• Supply chain management: Explain how the farm will manage its supply chain, including sourcing feed and chicks from suppliers, and coordinating with hatcheries. Describe the processes for ordering, receiving, and storing inputs, as well as managing inventory to ensure an uninterrupted supply of chickens.
• Animal care and health: Outline the protocols for maintaining the health and welfare of the chickens, including feeding practices, biosecurity measures, and disease prevention strategies. Include a plan for regular veterinary care and vaccinations to ensure the well-being of the flock.
• Quality control: Emphasize the importance of maintaining high-quality standards in all aspects of the farm's operations. Describe the procedures for inspecting and grading chickens, handling and packaging, as well as maintaining cleanliness and hygiene throughout the farm.
• Marketing and sales: Explain how the farm will promote and sell its products to the target market. Outline the marketing channels and strategies, such as advertising, social media, and direct sales to local retailers or restaurants. Include a sales forecasting plan to estimate demand and optimize production accordingly.
• Financial management: Discuss how the farm's finances will be managed, including budgeting, record-keeping, and financial reporting. Outline the pricing strategy, cost management measures, and key performance indicators to ensure profitability and sustainability.
• Develop a comprehensive operating manual that documents all the farm's processes and procedures. This will serve as a valuable resource for training new employees and ensuring consistency in operations.
• Regularly review and update the operational and management plan to adapt to changing market conditions and industry trends. Stay informed about new technologies and best practices in chicken farming to continuously improve efficiency and productivity.

Writing a business plan for a chicken farm requires careful research and consideration of various factors. By following the nine steps outlined in this checklist, you can create a solid foundation for your chicken farm business. Remember to thoroughly analyze the industry, identify your target market, and assess the competition. Additionally, be sure to understand the legal and regulatory requirements, calculate your initial investment, and conduct a feasibility study to ensure your business is viable.

Defining clear goals and objectives, developing a strong marketing strategy, and outlining an effective operational and management plan are crucial to the success of your chicken farm. It is important to continuously monitor and adjust your plan as needed to stay competitive in the market. Building trusted relationships with customers and maintaining high-quality standards will help you establish your farm as a reliable supplier of fresh or frozen chicken to grocery stores, restaurants, and other food retailers. Consider diversifying your offerings by specializing in organic or free-range chicken and selling eggs to cater to a niche market.

Writing a comprehensive business plan will not only guide you in starting your chicken farm, but it will also help you secure financing and attract potential investors or partners. With careful planning and execution, your chicken farm can thrive and contribute to the growing demand for poultry products in the US.

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By Samuel Ansah

February 4, 2022

First things first, you need to create a poultry farming business plan. It is vital for your poultry farm. A poultry farming business plan can help you define your goals and strategies so that you’ll know where to start and where to go next. Even though it’s just poultry farming, a poultry farming business plan will definitely help you a lot.

In this Article;

What is business plan in entrepreneurship / poultry farming business.

Sometimes the hardest part of building a business is figuring out where to start. Whether you’re launching a new product, expanding into a new market, or making a big hire, a business plan can help you get from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. But where to begin? Well, by definition, a poultry farming business plan is a road map for the direction your business is heading.

How to write a business plan for poultry farming

When it comes to starting a poultry farming business, the first thing most people think of is developing a business plan. But a business plan isn’t just a document that gets stashed away on a shelf; it’s a tool that helps you shape and prioritizes the direction of your business. A well-written business plan can help you secure funding, keep you on track, and identify gaps and opportunities. But how do you go about writing a poultry farming business plan?

Here are some poultry farming business plan basics:

Introduction.

What is a poultry farming business plan? Your poultry farming business plan should start with an introduction about the poultry industry, poultry farming, and how it can be profitable. You can also explain why you chose to go into this business as well as what problem your poultry business will solve. You can list numerous problems like people meeting the demand for protein products such as chicken meat or chicken eggs at a lower price.

Executive Summary

What you need to include here is the poultry business idea, poultry farming systems, poultry farming benefits, and how you plan on making this poultry farm profitable. Note: The executive summary should always be the last thing to work on as this will give a summary of your whole business plan but in presenting the plan, the executive must follow the introduction.

Company Description

Some might call this the company profile or “who we are.” Here is where you can give more information about your poultry farming company. You can say what poultry business you’re in, how you came up with the poultry farm idea, who’s involved in the poultry farming business and why the poultry business is important to you, and possible problems the poultry business will tackle in society.

Market Analysis

This will help you determine if there are poultry market opportunities available where you live or not. If the poultry business is already being done in your area, then you might as well know how the poultry business is doing. If poultry farming isn’t being done where you’re located, poultry farming can be a great opportunity for you. Market analysis also helps you to determine the poultry products to focus on. These major products include poultry meat, eggs, and day-old chicks.

This part of the poultry farm business plan should have some interesting statistics or facts that will interest your readers or potential investors or business partners. You can try to list poultry farming facts from your local poultry association, poultry government websites, or poultry farming experts who have been in the poultry business for a very long time.

Poultry Business Strategy

This part of the poultry farm business plan should focus on how poultry farming can be profitable to you and others. You have to think about what you need to do in the poultry farming business in order for you to make a profit.

Poultry Business Summary

This poultry farming business section can be about your poultry farm goals, poultry farm main poultry farming activities, poultry farming facilities, or anything else that is related to the poultry business.

• Medication and Vaccination
• Hygeine practices
• Eggs collection, cleaning and storage

You can include a list of activities that will take place on your poultry farm to guide you on the number of farmhands to employ and how to schedule farm work.

Poultry Farm Business Location And Secure The Necessary Permits For Poultry Farming

Choosing your poultry farm business location isn’t something to be taken lightly. It’s important to choose a poultry farming business location where the poultry farms won’t be too close together to other poultry farms just to avoid disease outbreak infection, and also to residential areas due to the odor poultry farms emit. You also need to know about poultry farming laws pertaining to poultry farming business permits, poultry business zoning, and other poultry farm limitations in your area.

If you’re just starting out in the poultry farming business, then it’s highly recommended that you consult with local poultry farming consultants. They can guide you through poultry farming business permit processes, poultry business zoning, and other poultry farm laws in your area.

Financial Analysis

Businesses need to make tough decisions. They need to weigh the costs and benefits of different decisions in order to maintain a healthy balance sheet and continue to exist. But how can a business make decisions when it doesn’t understand the realities of the situation? Financial statements provide a snapshot of the health of a business, but they don’t show the big picture.

Financial analysis in writing a poultry farming business plan can very challenging. This guide is designed to give you a high-level overview of the core concepts and practices of business financial analysis. It provides a cursory treatment of topics such as accounting, financial statements, and the role of the financial analyst, as well as a more in-depth look at topics such as accounting for intangibles, deal and investment analysis, and financial modeling.

In this document, I will be discussing the main points of a business plan for poultry farming. This paper will be discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the plan and how it can be improved. The plan will also be broken down into different sections such as background information, financial projections, operations, and finally growth strategies. The background information will provide an overview of the company, its mission, and its competitors. This will lead to the financial projections which will show the profitability of the company.

How To Become A Contract Poultry Grower

A brief recap on writing a poultry farming business plan

• The introduction which tells a brief story of your vision, values and goals
• The excutive summary follows the introduction but should be the last thing to work on as discussed above.
• Company description; the name of your business, contact details, problems likely to solve and so on.
• Market analysis; it’s best to know much about the market you diving into in order to strategies well to meet business demand and make profit.
• Your business poultry farming business plan strategy talks about your profit to earn at the end of the day.
• Poultry business summary should list your activities, goals and major things you will do.
• One important feature of this poultry farming business plan is to also look at the location of the business and laws in your locality.
• What will keep your business moving is finances and that also need to be considered when writing your business plan.

Poultry farming is a business that has increased in demand over the past few years. It’s an industry with many opportunities, but it can also be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing.

More resources:

• The Importance Of Farm Records Keeping
• How To Start A Poultry Farm Business
• A Must Have Poultry Equipment
• How To Increase Poultry Egg Production

Samuel Ansah is a seasoned agriculture professional with over a decade of experience researching, sharing, and publishing news and opinions. He is passionate about using his knowledge to help farmers and other agriculture stakeholders make informed decisions. Samuel has focused on publishing his work on agriculture, including articles and blog posts. Contact: [email protected]   More about Bio

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Poultry Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Agriculture Industry » Livestock Farming » Poultry » Poultry Business Plan

Are you about starting a poultry farm ? If YES, here’s a complete sample poultry farming business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE to raise money .

There are quite a great number of things that are highly needed by man as a nutritious source of food that is gotten from the poultry. Chief amongst them is them the egg. Poultry farms all over the world has egg as one of its primary produce and that is why people will continue to look to poultry farms to churn this out.

To start a poultry related business, you will first need to learn the ropes. Undertaking a thorough and exhaustive research is also one of the tasks that you will be saddled with.  Thereafter you might be required to do some apprenticeship so as to have firsthand experience on how to run a poultry farm.

A Sample Poultry Farming Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The agricultural industry of which poultry farming and egg production is a subset of is no doubt among the leading industry in most countries of the world; it is the industry that produces chicken and eggs for the populace.

Because of the significant role the agriculture sector plays, the government of most countries ensures that they go all the way to subsidize seedlings, fertilizers, and farming implements and machinery for farmers and also encourage entrepreneurs to go into commercial farming (poultry farming inclusive).

Hens, various birds, quails, guinea fowls, ducks et al are all birds that can be comfortably reared in a poultry farm. Chicken and birds are widely consumed in all parts of the world hence there is a large market for poultry farmers. If you are looking towards starting a livestock breeding business, then one of your options is to settle for poultry farming.

Poultry farming is a highly thriving and profitable business venture. Aside from the fact that people consume birds and chickens et al, supply of eggs is also a major source of revenue generation for poultry farmer. Players in the poultry farming and egg production industry basically raise chickens for meat, and egg production. The eggs produced may be sold for use as table eggs or hatching eggs.

The Poultry Farm and Egg Production Company Industry is indeed a very large industry and pretty much thriving in all parts of the world especially in developed countries such as United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Italy et al.

Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 30,000 licensed and registered poultry farm and egg production company directly responsible for employing about 280,800 employees and indirectly responsible for employing roughly 1,339,900.

The industry rakes in a whooping sum of $10 billion annually with an annual growth rate projected at 6.1 percent. It is important to state that the establishments with a lion share of the available market in this industry are Cal – Maine, Land O’Lake, Inc., Michael Foods and Rose Acres Farms.

Statistics also has it that an estimate of about 35 companies are involved in the business of raising, processing and marketing chickens on a  commercial level; they export chickens, processed chickens and eggs to other countries of the world.

It is on record that Americans consume more chicken than anyone else in the world – more than 90 pounds per capita in 2015 – the number one protein consumed in the United States. So also, in 2015, almost 9 billion broiler chickens, weighing 53 billion pounds, live – weight, were produced. More than 40 billion pounds of chicken product was marketed, measured on a ready-to-cook basis.

The United States has the largest broiler chicken industry in the world, and about 19 percent of egg and chicken production was exported to other countries in 2015.Research conducted shows that the top 5 broiler producing states in the US are Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina and Mississippi.

If you are looking towards leveraging on the agriculture industry to generate huge income, then one of your best bet is to start a poultry farm and egg production business.

One thing is certain about starting poultry farming and egg production business, if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies , you are more likely not going to struggle to sell your eggs and chickens because there are always food processing companies and consumers out there who are ready to buy from you.

2. Executive Summary

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a world – class and licensed poultry farm and egg Production Company that will be based in the outskirt of Santa Fe, New Mexico – United States. We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure a hundred hectares of land to start our poultry farm and egg production business.

Our poultry farm is going to be standard commercial poultry farm hence will be involved in raising, processing and marketing chickens and eggs ( Table eggs produced by battery chickens (white ), Table eggs produced by battery chickens (brown), Hatching eggs, Specialty eggs, and Table eggs produced by free-range chickens ) on a commercial level; we export chickens, processed chickens and eggs to other countries of the world.

We are in the commercial poultry farm and egg production line of business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the agriculture industry, to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food production, and also to export chicken and eggs from the United States to other countries and over and above to make profit.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is well positioned to become one of the leading commercial poultry farms and egg production business in the United States of America, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands and machines to run the company with.

We have put process and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to commercial poultry farms and egg production processes as required by the regulating bodies in the United States of America. At Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC, our customer’s best interest will always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a private registered commercial poultry farm and egg production company that is owned by Mr. Noble Ernest and his immediate family members. The poultry farm will be fully and single handedly financed by the owner – Mr. Noble Ernest and his immediate family members at least for a period of time.

Before starting Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC, and Mr. Noble Ernest was the Head of a renowned Agriculture Research Institute in The U.S. he worked in the industry for well over 10 years before resigning to start his own commercial poultry farm and egg production business. He is of course well experienced and highly qualified to run this type of business.

3. Our Products and Services

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a standard commercial poultry farms and egg production company that is committed to raising chickens and producing eggs for both the United States’ market and the global market. We are in the commercial poultry farms and production line of business to make profits and we are going to do all we can to achieve our business goals, aim and objectives.

These are the areas we will concentrate on in our commercial poultry farms. If need arises we will definitely add more poultry produce to our list;

• Raising, processing and marketing chickens on a commercial level; we export chickens, processed chickens and eggs to other countries of the world.
• Table eggs produced by battery chickens (white)
• Table eggs produced by battery chickens (brown)
• Hatching eggs
• Specialty eggs
• Table eggs produced by free-range chickens

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to become one of the leading commercial poultry farm and egg production brands not just in the United States of America but also on the global stage.
• Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a world class and registered commercial poultry farms and egg production company that is committed to raising chickens and producing eggs for both the United States’ market and the global market.
• We want our chickens and eggs to flood the nooks and crannies of the United States and other countries of the world.

Our Business Structure

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a privately owned and managed commercial poultry farms and egg production business that intend starting small in Santa Fe – New Mexico, but hope to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading commercial poultry farms and egg production companies in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hire the best hands within our area of operations.

At Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, and creative, result driven, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stakeholders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Operating Officer

General Farm Manager

Human Resources and Admin Manager

• Accountant / Cashier
• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Field Employees
• Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities across the various sections on behalf of the organization
• Supervises other section manager
• Ensures compliance during project executions
• Provides advice on the management of farming activities across all section
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Uses IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of the growth of chickens and other birds
• Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of poultry farm produce
• Represent the organization’s interest at various stakeholders meetings
• Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient resources (manpower, equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied. Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office.

Accountant / Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC
• Serves as internal auditor for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Creates new markets cum businesses for the organization
• Empowers and motivates the sales team to meet and surpass agreed targets

Field Workers / Contract Staff

• Responsible for daily collection of eggs
• Responsible for feeding chickens and other birds as instructed by the supervisor
• Responsible for cleaning poultry and the entire environment
• Changes the water for the birds as instructed by the supervisor on a regular basis
• Handles poultry farm implements and machines (hatchery) as instructed by the section manager / supervisor
• Assists in handling the chicken and other birds et al
• Carries out task in line with the stated job description
• Assists in transport working tools and equipment from the poultry farm and back to the designated store room
• Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

Front Desk / Customer’s Service Officer

• Welcomes clients and potential clients by greeting them in person, online or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the creative director in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries

6. SWOT Analysis

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC do not intend to launch out with trial and error hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis.

We know that if we get it right from the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a standard commercial poultry farm and egg production company that will favorably compete with leading commercial poultry farms and egg production companies like Cal – Maine, Land O’Lake, Inc., Michael Foods and Rose Acres Farms in the United States of America and in the rest part of the world.

We engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist our organization in building a well – structured commercial poultry farm and egg Production Company that can favorably compete in the highly competitive commercial poultry farms and egg production industry in the United States and the world at large.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC;

Our strength as a commercial poultry farm and egg production company is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players ( agriculture merchants ) in the industry; both suppliers of poultry feeds and medications and buyers of chickens and eggs within and outside of the United States of America.

We have some of the latest commercial poultry farming hatchery, tools and equipment that will help us raise and produce eggs in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside from our relationship ( network ) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in Santa Fe – New Mexico in our payroll.

Our weakness could be that we are a new commercial poultry farms and egg production company in the United States, and perhaps it might take us sometime to attract big time customers in the industry. We are aware of this and from our projection will overcome this weakness with time and turn it to a major advantage for the business.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities that are available to us as a standard commercial poultry farm and egg Production Company cannot be quantified, we know that there are loads of households, and businesses such as hotels and fast food restaurants that can’t do without daily supply of chicken and eggs. We are well positioned to take advantage of this opportunity

Some of the threats and challenges that we are likely going to face when we start our own commercial poultry farm and egg production company are global economic downturn that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), unfavorable government policies and the arrival of a competitor ( a commercial farm that engage in the rearing of chickens and other birds ) within same location.

There is hardly anything you can do as regards this threats and challenges other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for your good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The Poultry and Chicken Egg Production industry has greatly benefited from campaigns advertising the health benefits of chickens and eggs as a good source of protein.

No doubt, the increased demand of chicken and eggs from households and food related businesses and of course the growing popularity of specialty and processed eggs have rapidly improved revenue growth for the industry. In the face of this growth, profit margin has suffered from rising feed costs and also regulations regarding animal welfare.

As a matter of fact, one of the new trends is that with the recent advancement in technology, poultry farmers can now comfortably predict and produce the quantities of chickens / birds and eggs per time.

8. Our Target Market

Naturally, the target market of those who are the end consumer of commercial poultry farm produce and also those who benefits from the business value chain of the poultry farming and egg production industry is all encompassing; it is far – reaching.

Every household consumes produce from commercial poultry farms be it chicken or egg. So also almost all hotels and fast restaurants sell chicken and eggs. In essence a commercial poultry farmer should be able to sell his or her chicken and eggs to as many people as possible.

In view of that, we have positioned our business to attract consumers of chickens and eggs not just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world. We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that we meet and surpass the expectations we set for the business. Below is a list of the people and business that we will market our chickens and eggs to;

• Individuals
• Restaurants
• Fast food eateries
• Agriculture merchants

Our Competitive Advantage

It is easier to find entrepreneur flocking towards an industry that is known to generate consistent income which is why there are more commercial poultry farmers in the United States of America and of course in most parts of the world.

For example, Statistics has it that there are 2.2 million farms in the United States of America, covering an area of 922 million acres. These goes to show that there are appreciable numbers of farmers in the United States of America but that does not mean that there is stiffer competition in the industry.

As a matter of fact, entrepreneurs are encouraged by the government to embrace commercial farming cum poultry farming and egg production business. This is so because part of the success of any nation is her ability to cultivate her own food and also export food to other nations of the world.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is fully aware that there are competitions when it comes to selling commercial farm produce all over the globe, which is why we decided to carry out thorough market research so as to know how to take advantage of the available market in the United States and in other parts of the world.

We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace; some of the factors are effective and reliable poultry farming and egg production processes that can help us sell our produce at competitive prices, good network and excellent relationship management.

Another competitive advantage that we are bringing to the industry is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players (agriculture merchants) in the industry; both suppliers of poultry feeds and medications and buyers of chickens and eggs within and outside of the United States of America.

We have some of the latest commercial poultry farming hatchery, tools and equipment that will help us raise and produce eggs in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside from our relationship (network) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in Santa Fe – New Mexico in our payroll.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups commercial poultry farms and egg production companies in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is in the poultry farms and egg production line of business for the purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available opportunities within the industry to achieve our corporate goals and objectives. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC;

10. Sales Forecast

From the survey conducted, we were are able to discover that the sales generated by a commercial poultry farm and egg production business depends on the size of the poultry farm, the types of birds available in the poultry and of course the size of their marketing network.

We have been able to critically examine the poultry farms and egg production business and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast.

The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some workable assumptions as well with respect to the nature of commercial poultry farm and egg production business that we run. Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of running Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC;

• First Fiscal Year-: $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $600,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $ 900,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), and unfavorable government policies.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are quite aware that the reason why some commercial poultry farms and egg production companies hardly make good profits is their inability to sell off their chickens and eggs as at when due.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the poultry farming and egg production industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall business goal of Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC.

Over and above, we have perfected our sale and marketing strategies first by networking with agriculture merchants and businesses that rely on daily supply of chicken and eggs from the poultry farms and egg production industry that are likely to become our customers.

In summary, Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC will adopt the following strategies in marketing our commercial farm produce;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to stake holders in the agriculture industry, households, hotels and restaurants and agriculture produce merchants et al.
• Advertise our business in agriculture and food related magazines and websites
• List our commercial poultry farms and egg production business on yellow pages ads
• Attend related agriculture and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are operating from must be ready and willing to utilize every available means (both conventional and non – conventional means) to advertise and promote the business.

We intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means. We know that it is important to create strategies that will help us boost our brand awareness and to create a corporate identity for our commercial poultry farm and egg production business.

Below are the platforms we will leverage on to boost our commercial poultry farm and production brand and to promote and advertise our business;

• Place adverts on community based newspapers, radio stations and TV stations.
• Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Badoo, Google+  and other platforms to promote our business.
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Santa Fe – New Mexico
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
• Contact corporate organizations, households, landlord associations and schools by calling them up and informing them of Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC and the poultry produce we sell
• Advertise our business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
• Brand all our official cars and trucks and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wears our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Some of the factors that will help you sell your farm produce at the right price that will guarantee that you make profits is dependent on your strategy while some of the factors are beyond your control. For example, if the climatic condition is unfavorable and if there is natural disaster in the location where you have your commercial poultry farm, then it will directly affect the prices of your chicken and eggs.

Over and above, if you want to get the right pricing for your chicken and eggs, then you should ensure that you choose a good location for commercial poultry farm, choose a good breed that will guarantee bountiful harvest, cut the cost of running your poultry farm to the barest minimum.

Of course you should try as much as possible to attract buyers to your poultry farm as against taking your eggs and chickens to the market to source for buyers; with this, you would have successfully eliminate the cost of transporting the goods to the market and other logistics.

We are quite aware that one of the easiest means of penetrating the market and acquiring loads of customers for all our eggs and chickens is to sell them at competitive prices hence we will do all we can to ensure that the prices of our poultry farm produces are going to be what other commercial poultry farmers would look towards beating.

One thing is certain; the nature of commercial poultry farming makes it possible for poultry farmers to place prices for their eggs and chicken based on their discretion without following the benchmark in the industry. The truth is that it is one of the means of avoiding running into loss.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for chickens and eggs.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to calculating the cost of starting a commercial poultry farm, there are some key factors that should serve as a guide. The different type of birds to be raised in a commercial poultry farm determines the total cost of setting up the business.

Besides, in setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting / leasing a big facility, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a commercial poultry farm and egg production business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. Below are some of the basic areas we will spend our start – up capital in setting up our commercial poultry farm;

• The Total Fee for incorporating the Business (commercial farm) in United States of America – $750.
• The amount needed to acquire / lease a farm land  – $50,000
• The amount required for preparing the farm land (poultry fencing et al) – $30,000
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $3,300.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Bill The Carpenter™ Furniture, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
• The total cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,500.
• The total cost for payment of insurance policy covers (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $9,400
• The amount required for the purchase of the first set of chickens – $10,000
• The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment / machines / hatchery et al– $50,000
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
• The Cost of Launching an official Website – $600
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000

Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need an average of $500,000 to start a standard commercial poultry farm and egg production business in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC

No matter how fantastic your business idea might be, if you don’t have the required money to finance the business, the business might not become a reality. Finance is a very important factor when it comes to starting a business such as commercial poultry farming.

No doubt raising start – up capital for a business might not come cheap, but it is a task that an entrepreneur must go through.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a family business that is solely owned and financed by Noble Ernest and his immediate family members. We do not intend to welcome any external business partner, which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources. These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $150,000 (Personal savings $100,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $350,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to retail our chickens and eggs a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of six years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of farm land and building of standard poultry (cages): In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In Progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Compilation of our list of products that will be available in our store: Completed
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – key players in the industry: In Progress

Related Posts:

• Free Range Chicken Farm Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Broiler Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Layer Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Goat Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Snail Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

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Contract broiler farming: business plan considerations.

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Time to read:

Suitable for:

Any country, but framed in Karnataka, India

Start-up contract poultry farmers, or beginner poultry farmers who want to learn about the contract poultry business model.

Poultry business plan problem #1 :

• India’s broiler farming sector is a relatively giant among agri-sector and only growing – fast.
• India is the 3rd largest global producer of broiler meat (behind only China and the US for volume).
• India’s contract broiler farming sector attracts colossal manpower . It supports over 5 million labourers with employment.

By far among all the poultry farming business models: ‘contract poultry’ farming is the most popular with over 90% of corporate farms adopting this method.

Meet Vikram

Our poultry farming beginner is Vikram Chauhan from Shimoga district of Karnataka, India . Vikram’s a 1st time poultry farm entrepreneur and is at the all important business planning stage. He’s as yet undecided whether to raise poultry independently or to join a contract farming collective .

What he needs

Whilst he’s built some figures to support his understanding of the financial projections of independent poultry farming, he’s attempting to ‘see into’ the budgetary detail of the contract poultry farming model .

How you can help

As a close professional contact of Vikram’s, he’s asked you to help him assess the profitability and nuances of the contract poultry farming model. So, duly, you are expected to give Vikram recommendations and guide him through an analysis that helps him make the most informed and profitable decision .

Topics covered in this exercise

• Capital investment
• Relative variable and fixed costs (farmer vs. company)
• Profits (farmer vs. company)
• Breakdown of returns
• Company revenue breakdown

Economic data

Your independent research led you to the following data tables from the Indian Journal of Poultry Science :

Capital expenses of farmers

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Sample Poultry Farming Business Plan

This article provides a sample poultry farming business plan for entrepreneurs with limited knowledge of what a detailed plan should look like.

Do you need to develop a business plan for starting a poultry venture? Here are some areas we’ll be looking into.

• Common Poultry Terminologies
• Poultry Farm’s Equipment

Cost Analyses

• Broiler & Layer’ Feeds & Their Feeding Methods
• Egg Production & Birds’ Mortality Rate
• Your Poultry Farm’s Location
• How to Construct Your Poultry Pen
• How to Brood Your Chicks
• Chickens’ Vaccines
• Poultry Diseases, Causes, and Treatment
• Common Mistakes to Avoid Like Snake
• Poultry Business & Accountability

Poultry Farming BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE

Most people who are into poultry out there are poultry farmers. You will not be that. You will be a poultry entrepreneur after reading this course.

Let me quickly remind you that this article is solely about chicken, especially layers and broilers.

Though we have so many other poultry birds like turkey, goose, duck, and others, chicken has a huge market demand in your country, and since your goal as a farmer is to make a profit, it’s brilliant that we concentrate our effort on what the market wants.

That’s why we’ll “talk” mainly about chicken in this course.

Not even all chicken, but layers and broilers. We won’t talk about cockerel because it’s not as profitable as broilers could be.

Poultry Commonly Used Terminologies

The following are the basic poultry terminologies you should familiarize yourself with;

• Chicks . This is the term we use for baby
• Layers . These are the chickens that can lay
• Broilers . These are the chickens we grow for meat.
• The pen is the name we call the house we construct for our chicks and chickens.
• Brooding  is used for the first early period of the chick’s life. Usually, between the weeks, there are 14 days for broilers and 5-8 weeks for layers. (More on this later)
• A brooder  is an equipment used to provide supplementary warmth during the early stages of the chicken.
• Feed is a name we use for the food we feed our chicks and chickens
• A breed  is a group of birds that reproduce their likeness in their offspring
• A cage is a housing system where the birds are confined to a wire-netted box.
• Clear eggs  are infertile and cannot be incubated or turned into chicks.
• Deep litter  is the System of housing wherSystemitable material called litter is provided on the poultry house floor for the birds to live on
• Free-Range System  is a system of housing where the birds have a shelter house and access to an outside area during daylight hours.
• A flock  is many birds of the exact origin (genotype) and age and managed in the same.
• Incubation  is the process by which fertile eggs are turned into chicks
• An intensive System is any system of housing poultry where the birds are outdoors all of the time and do not have access to the
• Semi-intensive is a system in which birds have access to a shelter house and the outdoors at the same time
• Layer Cycle  is the period from the onset of laying until the cessation of production of
• Point of laying  is the period a female chicken is about to start laying eggs
• A pullet  is a female chicken in her first laying season
• A spent hen  is a layer that has reached the end of her economic egg-laying
• A thermostat  is a device sensitive to temperature and is usually used to control the operation of temperature-modifying equipment

Do you care about chickens or eggs? If at all I do, it is to eat them.

Rearing, nursing, and having sleepless nights because of birds? Not me, and I am sure you don’t like the idea of coping with the odor and other messes of the poultry farm.

So why are you reading this guide?

Business. Business. Business alone is the reason.

If you and I understand this simple logic, we’ll first consider the business aspect of poultry farming.

Poultry Farming Equipment

Below is some equipment you’ll need as a poultry businessman/woman on your farm.

1.  Feeders

A farmer drops the bird’s food for the chickens in the feeder. It is of different designs.

It is what you see as red in the above picture.

2.  Heater or Brooder

This is the instrument farmers use to regulate the temperature of the poultry farm, especially during brooding (when chickens are tiny) and the rainy season or cold period.

Many farmers use locally versioned heaters (coal or stove) as the brooder could be beyond your budget.

4.  Incubator

An incubator is an electronic machine the hatchers use to hatch fertile eggs.

You don’t need this equipment except you want to go into the hatchery part of the poultry business.

5.  Egg Tray

This equipment is used to set eggs and transport them to the customers.

6.  Water pots or Drinker

This is where the chickens drink from.

7.  Poultry Cages

Cages are used to keep poultry birds.

8.  Protective Clothing

Hair caps, disposable sleeves, boots, and overalls for humans so has to prevent contamination from humans to the birds or from birds to humans

9.  Electricity

Electricity is also essential; either you’ll use government-supplied power, a generator, or locally-made lamps (more on this later)

10.  Good Source of Water

A good water source is needed for your birds as dirty water could lead to sickness and the death of the poultry birds.

Here is it.

You want to know how much you’ll need to raise your birds before they start bringing in returns.

It isn’t meant to start with 1000 birds if all your resources can handle is 500 birds.

It would be best to have an estimate, so you’ll take your pen and paper.

• Do you intend to start your poultry farm in your backyard or on a plot/acre?
• When you went out to ask about the poultry equipment as listed earlier, how much can you get them in your city or vicinity?
• Is there steady electricity, or you may need locally devised lamps for your broilers, who may need light all night (to be discussed later), and for your layers, who need light for just a few hours?
• Is there a good water source near you, or you’ll need a well?
• Do you need labor, and how many of them (Actually, one or two people should be able to care for 1000 birds)? What is the labor cost like in your locality?

After analyzing all these, you’ll move to the main expense: poultry feeds.

Poultry feeds are where the actual expenses lie, so let’s take some time to talk about feeding your chickens, the kinds of feeds you need at a given time, and then the estimated quantity in the section below.

Broilers and Layers Feeds & Their Feeding Methods

Broiler eats far more than layers. They should be eating virtually all around the clock. It’s not really that they will be busy eating every minute, but they should have food around them (always) so they can pick it up at a convenience.

Their heavy eating is because they are expected to grow so fast and be sold (7 or 8 weeks).

Serious farmers light up their pens all night because chickens (either broiler or layers) don’t eat in the dark.

The good news is that these birds can convert almost half of their feeds to meat. For instance, if we feed our broiler 4kg, it could weigh 1.8 kg.

Our broilers need two kinds of feeds at different stages of their lives.

The first is known as the Broiler Starter .

This is the first type of food (feed) they should be given as it’s very rich in protein and other necessary vitamins.

Broiler Starter should be given for the first three weeks of your broilers.

The second type of feed for broilers is called Broiler Finisher. This should be given from week four till your chickens are sold (hopefully at week seven or week 8)

The first feed to be given to your layer is called  Layer Starter or Chicks Smash. Chicks will be given your layers from day 1 to the 8th week.

This feed contains a very high percentage of protein to help them growiquickly rower smash  is to be given from week 8-18

Layer Feed  is the feed that prepares and enables your layers to lay eggs properly. This is to be given starting from week 18th till your layers are spent (tired) and sold.

Layer smash should not be given until your bird reaches week 18. This feed contains calcium that can permanently damage the kidneys, cause kidney stones, reduce lifetime egg production, and shorten the bird’s life span.

The only reason to give Layer feed to your layer is if they have started laying before week 18.

Supplemental Calcium

Ordinarily, your layer feed contains a good quantity of calcium. However, they may need to supply them with additional calcium once in a while as they start laying. This decision could be reached if you’re advised by your veterinary doctor or a nearby expert who thinks the egg production is not as expected.

How to Change Chickens’ Feeds

When it’s time for you to shift from one feed to another, you mustn’t suddenly change your birds’ feeds.

For example, suppose you want to change from Broiler Starter to Grower today. In that case, the best thing to do is to start by mixing the starter and grower in the same quantity, then gradually increasing the starter quantity while reducing the amount of grower.

This is necessary because your chickens will not like a sudden change in their taste in feeds.

How Often Should You Feed Your Birds?

When we talk about broilers, they must have feed in front of them at least 22 hours a day. That means all around the clock.

For the layers, you can feed them three times a day. 6:30 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm should be all right.

Just note that you may have to lighten up the layers’ pen from around 7-9 because they will still be eating till the evening, and as I might have told you before, chickens don’t eat in the dark.

Some people try to avoid lighting the layers’ pen by giving them food at 3 pm. There is no hard rule here, but you should never prevent providing light to the broilers because they must eat so much.

Don’t forget that we were discussing cost analyses.

But I needed to show you how and what you have to feed your chickens, so I will show you how to get the estimate for their feeds.

Now to the rough estimate for the feeds;

If you have seen any poultry feed packs or bags before, you might have noticed that they are in Kilograms (kg).

As I have shared with you earlier, broilers eat much more than layers. To help your estimate,

Layer chicks could be estimated to eat (plus or minus) 4kg of feed in its first ten weeks. By this, I mean a layer bird could eat about 4kg in its first 70 days on your farm.

It could be a little more or less as the quantities of feed chickens eat depend on the weather and whether you’re using a battery cage or a deep litter system.

Your chickens will ordinarily eat more in the cold than in the hot season, and they are likely to eat more in a deep litter system than in the battery cage system as they walk much more around.

Your broilers could be expected to eat about 4kg or more of feeds in their first six weeks.

As your birds grow, their feed consumption grows, too.

From the 6th week, for broilers, they should have been near the time for you to sell them off (just one or two weeks more).

But for the layers, you’re just getting started.

You’ll still have to feed them for about 12 more weeks. As they grow, their feed consumption grows.

By the time they reach the laying stage, each layer could be estimated to be eating 1.5 pounds of feed each week.

That’s about 2kg in three weeks.

I am telling you all these so that you’ll be able to know how to make your estimate.

Should I tell you the price of the feeds?

Thank you for asking.

One day I was reading something on the internet, and I saw the writer writing the price of W= #XXX and the price of K=$YYY.

At a time, I was forced to go and check the date of that post, and behold, he wrote the post, I think, in 2011.

He’s not intelligent.

I cannot tell you the price of feeds and vaccines here because the amount you bought is not what they are selling now in the same city).

The second reason is that the location differs. Some people will read this course from Lagos, while others may read it from Ghana, South Africa, or China.

How do you expect the feed price in Texas to be the same as that of California?

That’s why you must move out and ask questions from the feed and poultry equipment sellers in your town or area.

You have the idea of the above quantity estimate and go out, ask where they are selling poultry feeds in your locality, ask for different feeds I have mentioned earlier, and their prices.

Check the feeds’ bag to see the quantity (in kilograms), and then come back home to do your math and the estimate.

After your cost estimate, plus the revenue (as analyzed earlier), you should be able to come up with good answers to these questions;

• With your present capital or resources, how many layer or broiler birds can you conveniently raise?
• In the long run, how much could your profit be?

These facts and figures are what will give you confidence.

After discussing the importance of cost analyses and the different kinds of feeds you need for your chickens, let’s go into two other essential things you must understand about poultry farming, which will help your cost estimate and general knowledge about the excellent poultry business…

Egg Production & Birds’  Mortality Rate

Here, let’s talk about the nature of chickens’ egg-laying and the death rate, otherwise called the mortality rate.

Some people ignorantly assume that layers’ of birds lay an egg every day, so whenever these people want to start a poultry business, they estimate within themselves and say, “If I can raise 1,000 layer birds, after 18 or 20 weeks, I will be getting 1,000 eggs every day from my poultry farm.”

They have committed two blunders here.

One is the assumption that all the birds will remain alive until the point of laying. The second blunder is the assumption that every laying bird lays an egg daily.

Here is the truth.

Some of your birds will die, and the remaining ones will not give you 900 eggs daily (if they are 900 birds).

The mortality rate is in humans, so it’s ordinary in animals, including included. If people die (even young), should we hope that chickens will not die?

Our concern is that we have to reduce the mortality rate of your birds to the barest minimum.

The best mortality rate is between 5-10% per annum.

If you start with 1000 chicks on your farm, losing 50-80 in a year does not mean you’re doing something wrong. It’s normal.

Another thing to note is that the mortality rate is higher in broilers breed than in layers. The reason is that layer birds are more robust.

In all, the mortality rate is not something to be afraid of. It’s something to prepare for and work hard to reduce (by doing things taught in this course)

Egg Production

As said earlier, 100-layer birds cannot produce 100 eggs daily. As analyzed by some experts, this is that chickens don’t lay an egg every 24 hours. Instead, they lay every 26 hours.

Some people believe that some chickens lie every day while others lie every two days.

We may not be able to tell which theory is correct, but we know that you cannot get the exact number of eggs from the number of chickens you have.

The best estimate is between 80-85% daily egg productivity. That means if you have 1000 laying birds on your farm, you could pick between 800-850 eggs daily.

That’s around 28 crates of eggs. Multiply 28 by the amount they are selling. Create an egg in your locality, and you’ll see something. Deducting that from the cost of layers’ feed and labor, you can see where the profit lies.

After discussing the egg production and the mortality rate, let’s take a moment to talk about it.

Your Farm’s Location

Just as humans need where to live and lay their heads, birds need a place to call their home.

First, you might have noticed that most poultry farms you know are not near residential apartments.

The reasons are simple: odor, noise, and water pollution.

The primary reason poultry farms are usually not allowed by the government to be near residential apartments is the poultry odor resulting from the chicken droppings (feces).

The other reason is because of the noise. Chickens make a lot of noise, and the third reason you can’t site your (primary) poultry farm near a residential apartment is possible water pollution.

Note that I mentioned the “major” poultry farm above. You could, of course, have your poultry’s pen (house) in your backyard, especially if you have a large backyard and you’re starting with just a few birds.

However, that can only work with a few tens of birds.

You’ll have to construct your poultry pen on the city’s outskirts or town for a medium to large-scale poultry farm.

One of the silly mistakes you must avoid is having your central poultry farm in your backyard and then having your brooding pen (where little chicken is kept) just by the side of your layers’ pen while you manage the two together.

This could affect the day-old chickens and lead to a significant loss. (We’ll discuss more on this later)

If you plan to start in your backyard, consider how poultry pens should be constructed and other precautions we’ll discuss in the next chapter.

A few things to consider while choosing where to locate your central poultry farm are;

The Cost of Land

Especially when you’re just starting, you may not be able to afford an acre of land in some locations near Lagos or a major city in your country, so you’ll have to consider the cost of land in your intended location vs. your budget.

Second,  Nearness to Your Intending Market

You don’t want to locate your farm where it will take a vehicle to travel 10 hours before they deliver your ready-for-market broilers to the buyers or before the wholesale egg buyers will get to your farm.

Chickens’ predators

Predators are those other animals or insects that feed on or find pleasure in hurting or killing chickens—E.g., hawks, raccoons, foxes, snakes, soldier ants, dogs, etc.

While chicken predators are everywhere, certain places are more violent and brutal to control predators, so you may not locate your farm in such areas.

After discussing the appropriate location for your farm, let’s discuss how your bird’s pens (houses) should be constructed.

How to Construct Your Poultry’s Pens (Chickens’ House)

To start with, there are three standard poultry housing systems. The first and the oldest is the Free Range System .

Chickens can access an ample, non-confined open space in this housing system.

They walk freely around and (in addition to the feed they’re given) pick up insects and other things they could eat on the floor.

A hindrance to this housing system is that it requires ample land space, and the chickens are exposed to predators like Brother Hawk and others.

A system similar to the one mentioned above is a semi-intensive system. Here, the birds have a confined pen and an open space to live.

The third type of housing system is probably the most common for commercial poultry farmers.

It’s called Intensive System.

In this System, our poultSystemds are confined into a specially built pen. They cannot go beyond the pen.

However, even using this pen, we still have two options.

First, we can use a battery system inside our pen. In this case, our birds are to live inside a specially built cage.

The cages you’re seeing above have been designed so that where the birds feed, where they’re dropping, and where eggs will go have all been designed with it. Automatic drinkers could also be easily fixed.

The battery cage system has been proven to be the best for egg production. Because the birds don’t have much space to roam about, they convert more feeds to eggs.

That’s not to say that the second option is terrible. We can also use the deep litter System.

You can system chickens on the floor of your pen. Here, your birds are not confined in cages, so they can quickly move around. The floor is covered with sawdust or straw.

A strong net is built around each of the pens. Tarps can be hung around the net fence. Depending on the design, that could easily be rolled up (or from up to down) when there is cold or rain. It’s needed, especially when your chickens are still small (at the brooding stage).

However, when they grow to pass the brooding stage, they become more robust and have big feathers, so cold should not be their problem anymore (except when it is extreme).

The roofing sheets should not be metal sheets.

The reason is that metal sheets cause heat, and excessive heat could kill your birds or reduce their egg’s productivity.

The best roofing sheet to use for poultry farms is Asbestos or Thatch-roof. They both can hold heat instead of releasing it like a metal sheet.

The brooding pen and layers (or grown-up broilers’) pens are slightly different in that while constructing your brooding pen (where your day-old, young chickens will live), you have to consider cold.

Before I show you how you must build your pens, let me clarify that, though a standard poultry farm must have two or more pens, there is no crime in starting small.

You could construct a simple brooding pen (the house for your chicks and day-old chickens) and convert it to a layers’ pen when they become “adults.”

Having understood this, let me explain how you must build those pens to get the best for your chickens and maximize your profit.

Brooding Pen

This is where you will house your chicks from the first day you get them to your farm until they become “adults.”

The ideal way to build this pen is to construct two simple blocks around your intended brooding location, then use Tarpaulin (and wood) to cover the remaining space.

The brooding stage of your broiler chicken is about two to three weeks, while it may take 6 to 7 weeks for layers to be brooded.

Now, about layers or “adult” broilers’ pens.

This could be a little simpler. You could build two blocks (as of broodings pen). You could then cover up the remaining space with a net (strong net, not mosquito’s net. Lol) or wood.

As mentioned earlier, the roofing sheet must not be constructed with light iron or metal roofing sheets. Instead, with Asbestos or Thatch-roof

Please Note:

Your broodings’ pen must not be built near the broilers’ or layers’ pen.

The first reason is that your chicks cannot withstand the odor from the layers or broilers’ pens.

The other reason is that layers or broilers could be carriers of certain germs that, though they could do them no harm, can quickly kill the chicks.

After some time, when your farm has grown and you have chicks and layers, you must have SEPARATE staff to deal with them.

Your workers working with the layers’ pen must not be entering your broodings’ pen, and those in broodings’ pen too must not be entering the layers’ pen, so they won’t carry germs from the layers’ pen and infect your chicks.

Brooding Your Chickens

When you order for the chicks you want to raise, either layers or broilers, to be delivered to your farm, the very first days or weeks of the birds on your farm are called the brooding stage.

The brooding period for broilers could be plus or minus 14 days, while the brooding period for layers could be between 5-7 weeks (depending on the weather situation in your locality)

The reason why the brooding period for the broilers is lower is that those birds called broilers grow very fast.

The brooding period of your chickens is the most important and delicate, for the apparent reason.

The most difficult and most crucial time in your poultry business is at the brooding stage. The mortality rate (death rate) is higher for the chicks than the grown-up chickens.

That’s common sense. As humans, babies are much more likely to die of fewer diseases or infections than adults.

That’s why some farmers prefer to go for grown-up chickens already at the point of laying (chickens already about to lay eggs).

This may seem wise because you’ll avoid so many headaches of “nursing” day-olds, but it could be risky because you never can tell how those chickens were brought up.

Just as it’s in humans, the early stage of your chicken’s life is critical. Anything wrong (maybe inappropriate feeding or care) will affect their growth and productivity as “adults.”

Now you can see what I am saying.

If you go ahead and buy chicken at the point of laying, you won’t know its foundation, and if its foundation has been faulty, what can the righteous (you) do?

Have I told you before that your chicks have to be taken care of just like your newborn baby?

Ok. Just reminding you

Just like your newborn baby, they need food, water, vaccines, and drugs whenever they are sick (detail later)

Another essential thing they need is protection from cold and excessive heat.

Protecting them from cold temperatures would be best because they are still young, fragile, and without big feathers.

At the brooding stage, day and night, you have to warm your pen with a charcoal pot, stove, or other electrical poultry brooders (if you can afford them).

Warming their pen day and night will continue until they are grown up (broilers 14 days and layers 5-7 weeks).

If you’re using artificial means to generate heat in your brooding pen, you must make sure your charcoal or stove is “fenced” with something like a wire that will prevent your chicks from being burnt.

The number of charcoal or stoves to be used depends on how many your chicks are (common sense).

If God blesses your area with constant electricity, you must light up your brooding pen all night. Congrats! If not, you may have some bright rechargeable or big local lamps.

One of the reasons why you should light up your chicks’ pen at the brooding stage is to prevent them from a stampede.

Stampede is when birds step on each other and get wounded or die.

This is more likely when they are still young, and they see anything (like a lizard) in the dark, with fear they may run and step on each other, get wounded, and die.

While cold temperature is the biggest enemy of your chicks, there are some other big “enemies” you must pay good attention to.

Quality of the Air

Your young birds need heat, but that doesn’t mean your brooding pen must be closed. Fresh air should have its way, and there should be cross ventilation.

Good feed and clean water

As it is for other chickens of other ages, your little chickens must be given good water and feed.

Prevent Stampede!

As said earlier, a stampede is when chickens run over and step on each other. This could lead to injury and death of your birds.

To prevent this from happening, first, always enter your pens gently. When you or any of your workers rush into your pens, the chickens may run away (usually to the building’s edges) and step or lie on each other. The result may be injury or death.

Second, you may put some sacks together at each pen’s edge. This way, when your birds run to the edge of your pen, they won’t be wounded because the sacks will “bounce” them back.

Poultry Vaccines

Chicken’s Vaccine is the substance given to stimulate chickens’ body’s production of antibodies and provide immunity against diseases.

As humans, we have various kinds of immunization programs where different vaccines are administered to our children at different ages to prevent their health from certain diseases (polio, etc.)

The same applies to the chickens. From the very first day, certain vaccines must be administered to the chicken.

Vaccine for day 1 of the chicken’s life: Marek’s  Disease Vaccine .

This Vaccine must be given to the chicks the day they are hatched. This Vaccine should have been administered by the hatchery where you got your chicks, even before buying them.

Once the chicks leave the incubator, this Vaccine is no longer as effective as it should be, so it has to be administered in the incubator.

The Vaccine is to prevent Marek’s disease tumors and paralysis Newcastle Disease Vaccine.

This Vaccine should be given within 10 and 35 days of the chicken and repeated every three months to maintain a sufficient level of immunity for your birds against Newcastle Disease.

This Vaccine could be given through your birds’ drinking water or as an eye/nose drop.

Infectious Bronchitis Vaccine

This Vaccine could be given within days 10-35 of your birds. It’s often combined with the above Vaccine (Newcastle).

Fowl Cholera Vaccine is another vaccine that should be administered only when you have or suspect cholera on your farm or a nearby farm.

Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine ;

This is usually for layers’ birds. To be administered on the 14th day of your birds (or as advised by your vet doctor). This is also to be repeated on the 28th day. It could be administered through drinking water.

Other poultry vaccines can be administered whenever a disease is suspected or heard in the neighboring farm or town.

Your vet doctor or consultant will be of great help in guiding you about when to administer some of these vaccines and how to go about them, even the emergency ones (if need be).

Infectious Laryngotracheitis Vaccine, Inactivated Newcastle-Bronchitis, Laryngotracheitis Fowlpox AE, etc., are the vaccines chickens may need as the need arises for them.

How can you get these vaccines?

This is very easy.

This is one of your primary tasks (as explained in the earlier chapter). Just move out and ask any poultry-related materials or feed sellers in your area about where you can find these vaccines in your locality.

They are not scarce. Just ask people, and you’ll be directed.

Don’t just buy vaccines! Make friends. Talk with people. Ask them questions about your locality’s poultry business, feeds, and vaccines.

How and in what quantity will you administer poultry vaccines?

On each Vaccine, there are prescriptions and precautions (just as when you buy the drug in a chemist’s shop). Read those instructions to know how to use them and in what quantity.

Also, note the expiring dates on the vaccines. Just like our drugs, poultry vaccines have expiring dates.

Don’t kill your chickens with expiring vaccines. Other things to take note of about vaccines are;

• Don’t vaccinate sick birds (except in the case of outbreaks of laryngotracheitis or fowlpox). Vaccination is not to heal sickness; it’s to prevent it, so when a bird is sick, a vet doctor needs to prescribe the drug to
• Just like other sensitive drugs, prevent the vaccines from heat or sun
• Use only as recommended because misapplication of vaccines can lead to disease outbreaks or the death of birds.
• When vaccinating your birds, it’s advisable to vaccinate all of them at a time, as few chickens left unvaccinated could spread whatever disease is hidden in them to the already vaccinated birds.
• After vaccination, burn or disinfect all opened containers to prevent accidental spread to other poultry. This is because…
• Most vaccines are living, disease-producing agents themselves. Handle them with care.

Poultry Diseases, Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

A disease is an investment for any poultry farmer, so you must understand fundamental things about poultry diseases and their prevention.

I said “some” because trying to mention ALL the poultry diseases may be an impossible adventure.

There are so many bird diseases because there are too many human diseases.

The following are the four significant types of poultry diseases;

• Metabolic and Nutritional Diseases . These are the diseases caused by a disturbance of normal metabolic functions either through a genetic defect, inadequate or inappropriate
• Infectious Diseases are usually contagious diseases caused by an invasion of a host by a pathogen, which subsequently grows and multiplies in the
• Parasitic Diseases  are infections with a parasitic organism
• Behavioral Diseases  are the abnormal behavioral patterns that can lead to injury or ill health of abnormally behaving birds or their companions

All of the poultry diseases could be categorized into the above four categories.

So, let’s see one or two common poultry diseases.

Common Poultry Diseases

As said earlier, there are as many diseases for birds and animals as for humans.

However, humans can list some common illnesses (e.g., malaria, headache, stomachache, cancer, etc.), so are there some common poultry diseases?

Below are some of them;

• Diarrhea . Diarrhea is a common poultry disease that shows symptoms through white or greenish, loose droppings (feces). It can be caused by cold, dampness, dirty surroundings, and unclean food. When you notice any of your birds sick with Diarrhea, quickly separate them into a dry, warm pen. If you have a veterinary doctor nearby, promptly give him a call. If not, contact any experienced farmer or consultant and explain the symptoms. They can come to your farm to see things and know what is wrong. It may be Diarrhea or something different, so we cannot tell.
• Roup (Coryza) . Roup is caused by cold, overcrowding, etc, and could spread through drinking water or feed. The symptoms could be sneezing and watery discharge, which can later turn to white and yellowish foam from the eyes or nostrils. It can also lead to Diarrhea.
• Liver trouble . Liver trouble is not. It’s an ailment that affects mainly older birds. This disease is caused by too little mobility (exercise) by the birds.

We can go on and on to mention numerous poultry diseases like Ambloidosis, Ascites, Avian Rhinotracheitis, Biting Lice, Breast Blister, Caecal Worm, Cellulitis, Chicken Anaemia, Cropworms, Favus, Fowl Cholera, Gizzard worms, etc., those big grammars will not do you any good.

Instead, you can be better if I give you two deep secrets.

First, work hard on prevention. Prevention is not just better than cure; it’s cheaper and more manageable.

Second, since you might want to employ someone or two with your poultry farm, why can’t you work hard to employ someone with at least three years of experience in a poultry farm?

This will help you in a lot of ways. This person you bring in will come with knowledge and experience (including the knowledge to detect the sick bird and understand various symptoms), and nothing can help you like that.

How to Prevent Poultry Diseases

• Pay attention to proper sanitation practices. Daily wash the feeders and drinkers. Always clean all your equipment with appropriate disinfectants (Dettol, etc.)
• Minimize or eliminate the introduction of new chickens to your flock because they could be carriers of some germs or
• Limit visitors’ entrance to your farm, and if they must enter, let there be disinfectants at the entrance of your farm where everyone going into your pen (including you) will wash their hands and fits. (For example, disinfectant is a bowl of water in which you’ll put anti-germ chemicals like Dettol and Izal)
• Quarantine unhealthy chicken as quickly as possible. By this, I mean that you should separate any chicken suspected to be sick into an isolated

This should be done to prevent the spreading of the diseases among the flock.

• Vaccinate Chicken at the appropriate time. When a new set of chickens just came into your farm, when they are transported out and back in, there is a need to vaccinate the flock. To vaccinate is to give your chicken the required Vaccine.
• Watch out for unhealthy chicken. You must inspect your farm daily and see how your chickens are doing. When one or two of them are not

healthy, it’s better you know on time. Since you understand how your birds live and behave on good days, it’s not too difficult to tell if one of them is sick.

If you can master all we have explained so far, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

Now let’s see common mistakes you have to avoid in the poultry farming business;

Common Poultry Farmers’ Mistakes

• Locating brood too close to rearers housing house for an older pen

I have said this before. Your brooding house (where your day-old chicks live) must not be too close to the rearing or layers pen.

Some people with ample land space give a space of three electric poles, while others locate the brooding pen in an entirely different location.

• Housing chickens of different ages together

This sounds foolish when you look at the nature of chickens. How can a younger chicken cope when the time comes for it to struggle with the older ones to eat?

Don’t you know that chickens (like humans) do fight? How can younger chickens cope when the older and stronger ones step on them (stampede)?

This is one of the reasons why some ignorant farmers lose their investments.

• Housing layers and broilers together.
• You are mixing chickens from different hatcheries together in the same pen.

Even if they are similar (i.e., layers), they shouldn’t be in the same pen together if they are from different hatcheries.

Because their foundation is different, and they may not grow or be fruitful alike.

• They are buying chickens from “quack” hatcheries.

Some people hawk chicks all around the town. Some are hatchers by mere name. You must not buy your chickens just anywhere because there are meticulous processes the professional hatchers have to go through to hatch eggs.

If these processes are left out or omitted because of ignorance, they will tell for the rest of the chickens’ lives. How do you know a good incubator?

Ask the farmers in your vicinity. If they prove problematic to approach, ask the poultry feed sellers. They will be friendlier with you (because they want to sell you feeds)

• Overcrowding.

I met with a man a few days ago, and he was sharing his experience in some places in Lagos, where 7 to 12 people could be sleeping in a single room.

That’s called overcrowding.

It’s affecting their health, but because there is no alternative, “man must live.”

However, in the case of birds, “birds can die”.

When they are still day old, chickens could be hundreds in a pen, but as they grow up, you’ll have to be spacing them because that pen may not be conducive for them any longer.

Your pens can never be too big, but they can be too small.

• Bad litter management

It would be best if you had a place on your farm where you pack the birds’ feces. This could be a hole at a distance or something similar.

• Assuming that all will be well all the time or estimating that all layers will lay an egg every day

This may sound not very optimistic, but you see, nobody smiles all the time. No known method will keep all your chickens alive. Some will die. If you have 500 layers, you cannot get 500 eggs every day.

I have explained this earlier.

Some layers may not lay eggs, while some lay every 26 hours. If you think about that, you’ll know why you cannot pick 500 eggs from 500 layers.

• Underestimating Predators.

Predators, as explained earlier, are the enemies of your chicken. Some want to eat them, while others love to hurt them for fun—hawks, Raccoons, Foxes, snakes, soldier ants, and others. If you don’t keep the environment of your farm very clean and well-guided, any of these predators can come at the time you least expect them.

For instance, soldier ants will not notify you of their plan to visit your farm, nor will snakes. Even your Bingo dog could “joyfully” hurt your chickens when you’re not around if your farm is so loose.

Don’t underestimate predators. Prevent them from coming nearby, making your farm’s surroundings clean and protected.

• They do not know when the chickens are uncomfortable and how to attend to them .
• I am using Metal Roofing for poultry pens. As mentioned earlier, this causes heat, affecting egg productivity and the birds’ health.
• We are not preventing stampede.

I have explained this earlier. Take note. Stampede kills human beings (as strong as we are). Imagine how much effect that could have on the fragile chickens.

• I am going all alone.

Don’t go all alone. Make friends and relate with poultry farmers in your locality. Have some experienced people (one or two) who you can call anytime and ask questions.

If possible (a must for an authentic farm), have a veterinarian. Anything can happen at any time. He might have to diagnose to see what is wrong with some unwell birds.

Let me warn you: DON’T GO ALL ALONE.

If some of these professionals and consultants require a certain fee, instead of negotiating the cost, they go alone without it.

You may want to save 100 dollars and lose 1,000 dollars.

Introduction to Poultry Farming Business Proposal

Because of the importance of this document to the success of your poultry farm, you need to put in your very best effort to produce a good plan, as it can determine the success of your venture.

Sample Poultry Farm Project Proposal Plan

This free poultry farming BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE provides the necessary support, and developing one is essential to success in the poultry business.

Writing a business plan for your new or existing poultry business can never be underestimated. It provides more assessment of your venture and is a core requirement for obtaining loans and grants from investors.

Unless you have your intentions for your poultry farming business written down, you might miss an opportunity to communicate them to someone else or clarify things for yourself.

Whether starting or expanding a poultry business, writing a business plan will help you understand what you want to do and how you will do it.

Most emerging poultry farmers must use loans or grants when starting their businesses.

To access these, you must write a business plan and submit it to your prospective financier or grant officer.

SAMPLE PRODUCTION POULTRY BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

It is essential for a business that wants to make an impact and be successful to have a business plan. This planning guide is an internal document accessible to only a few organization members.

Any venture that plans to succeed should invest efforts at developing a comprehensive business plan that captures every aspect of the business.

A business plan provides the necessary support for the company to succeed in its industry.

In writing a business plan, it is paramount that you know the format to follow and, better still, follow a sample in writing yours to avoid wasting time, effort, money, and resources.

Therefore, I will use this post to give a business plan for a poultry farming business, which can be used as a guide or sample in writing.

I will go directly to the business plan since you should already know the details of the business, that is, how to start and manage it well.

EXAMPLE OF A POULTRY BUSINESS PLAN

• Executive Summary
• Business Overview
• Vision Statement
• Mission Statement
• Marketing Strategy
• Business Requirements
• Cash Flow Analysis

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Raising poultry birds involves the production of broiler meat and chicken eggs. It’s one lucrative and broad industry that has attracted millions of investors. Niches-related poultry farming include

• setting up an incubator
• raising broilers
• egg production through layer birds
• marketing and distribution of table eggs
• the output of poultry farm equipment like drinkers, feeders, debeakers, etc.
• sales of poultry vaccines, drugs, feeds, and supplements
• feed mill operation
• the construction of poultry pen and battery cage installation

This facility will only produce layer birds to prevent an overlap of ideas due to the limited resources available. This means that Goody Poultry Farm might decide to bring in more ideas in the future.

In the first year of production, the farm is expected to produce about 60 crates of eggs daily and generate more than 1 million in revenue. Spent layers should be sold at the end of a year of laying, and the money should be used to get replacement birds.

The business has decided to collaborate with experts and investors because the business involves bringing together all available industrial facilities that a single company might be unable to provide.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW The most popular form of poultry farming is layer production because egg consumption cuts across all nations. There are different niches in the poultry business. These include broiler, layer, quail ,  turkey , ostrich, geese, and duck production.

Because of these various forms, focusing on one aspect and then adding other elements with time is advisable. This is one industry with great potential.

The main things that serve as hindrances in this industry are high-interest rates, lack of electricity, absence of credit, high product costs, and so on. The demand for day-old chicks , eggs, and broiler meat remains very high.

VISION STATEMENT Goody Poultry Farm’s vision is to facilitate the production of safe and hygienic chicken eggs, provide jobs for the unemployed, and generate wealth for those who invest in our projects.

MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to develop a mechanized poultry business that is efficient and profitable in the long run. We hope to grow the venture into a standard project that is professionally managed.

MARKETING STRATEGY Goody Poultry Farm will as a marketing strategy employ a marketer at total capacity, the marketer will be employed to sell the eggs produced on the farm from one egg depot to another. Through this marketing activity, many clientele bases will be created.

To make the marketing more manageable and efficient, we will allocate a date for all our customers so each customer will have a day when they will be supplied eggs, either by picking them up or having them delivered at a price.

Also, adverts will be placed on several online media sites, which will serve as a marketing form.

BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS The poultry business will need several pieces of equipment and tools for the smooth management of the business, and they include:

• A shop in town will be needed to serve as the warehouse and egg depot, this helps in reducing the number of people who go to the farm which in turn reduces the risk of a break of security and bio-security.
• Semi-automatic  battery cages of good quality  will be purchased and installed for the birds.
• Other equipment needed for the business are feed (grower mash and layer mash) , point of lay, different medications, and vaccinations.

CASH FLOW ANALYSIS The market has been surveyed to determine the cash flow level of the industry. This helps in knowing if the poultry business is worthwhile or not.

Analysis has shown that positive net cash balances are realized at the end of the second year the chicken farm started, indicating profitability in the industry .

Also, generating a net return in the first year of production may not be possible due to the large capital requirements. Still, subsequently, the farm would break even, generating significant profit.

CONCLUSION You have been equipped with all it takes to write a solid business plan for your poultry farm.

Here is the link to  download our practical poultry production manual.

So start by creating a counter-strategy to tackle these challenges, and success will be yours. This is one of the best articles that can be converted into a  planning guide on poultry farming.

Do you need a  poultry farming business plan with a 3-year financial plan to apply for funding?

Contact us .

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nice write up

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Chicken Farming Business Plan For Beginners

How to start poultry farming business – chicken farming business plan for beginners.

If you are interested in being a poultry farmer, you must want to know how to start a poultry farming business for beginners, this article tell you the chicken farming business plan which could be helpful for you.

Why to Start Poultry Farming Business Plan

A Poultry farming business can be called one of the most lucrative in the world if it is managed properly. The poultry farmers now we have are not enough that’s why chicken farming business has become so much profitable. It has become the finest opportunity of making a good amount of money in a short period of time. This article will focus on the process of poultry farming, the process of poultry from small farm and how to make it a big one.

1. Fast Reproduction and Large in Numbers

A healthy layer chicken almost lays an egg every day or 4 eggs in a week sometimes it lays 7 eggs in a week too, these all depends on the quality of your birds. Some birds can lay 325 eggs in a year. And it takes 21 days to hatch. Technically this means that a layer chicken is able to produce another layer twice in three days. So, if you have 500 healthy California white birds they are capable of giving you 12,000 chicks within 40 days.

2. A Fast Growth Rate

The most interesting thing about the poultry is its high growth rate. It takes about 21 days when the eggs are hatched. After their birth it takes about 27 to 28 weeks when they are fully ready for the market. That means a poultry farmer starts earning his income in just 31 weeks after he has successfully started his poultry farming business. According to the calculation he will be able to double his income in a year. However there are some uncertainties in this business, mortality and diseases are some of them but it can be reduced by taking proper managements and vaccination.

3. Sales at a Very Profitable Price

The market price of a bird is not so low you can a good profit from it. The price of a fully grown healthy chicken is about 10 to 11 dollar in the market. So if you are the one who produce 12,000 chickens in 40 days in his farm, you obviously are making 120,000 dollar when they are sold completely.

4. The Egg Market is Also Large

The poultry egg market is also good and very profitable. With the meat business, the poultry eggs are another source of good profit. You can earn about 2 to 3 dollar for each crate of smaller eggs and 3-4 for bigger one. Every crate has 30 eggs. So if you have 500 layers in your farm and they lays 12,000 eggs in a month and if you want to sell all of them then you are making 1,500 dollar per month.

Before Starting Your Poultry Farming Business Plan

Before you start your chicken farm business, you have to make a poultry farming business plan, it is very important for all types of business. A business plan is like a road map which tells you where you are going with your business. A business plan will tell you at which point you are now in your business. Your poultry farming business plan should include the following points.

1. Select The Type of Poultry Bird

The first step of starting a poultry business is the selection of bird type. Here you will choose the type of birds is that layer chicken or broiler. You can choose any of them it totally up to you. There are some other types of birds that you can bring in your consideration. They are the duck, goose, turkey etc.

2. Select The Cage Type of Your Poultry

Another important factor consider before baking the final plan of your chicken farm is to select the chicken cage type and size. Maybe you are thinking that, this is not that much necessary to think before starting the business, but believe it actually is. Estimating over your cost over the chicken cages will affect both positively and negatively on your entire poultry business plan. So go through the cage type on our website and choose the best type of cages you need.

3. Sort out The Area of Interest

You can’t start poultry business without a goal. You have to choose a path where you want to flow your business. This will concentrate your focus in one point and will ensure higher level of professionalism but if you want to work with two areas then no problem. Here are some niches of poultry farming.

• Layer Chicken Breeding : These are mainly used for egg production.
• Broiler Breeding : It is used for chicken meat production.
• Hatchery : Is for hatching new chicks.
• Poultry feed : It produce feeds for other poultry farms.

You can choose any of them. You can choose breed layer and broiler together if you want to.

4. Specify Poultry Location

Another important sector of poultry farming is choosing the location where you will set up for your business. It has a direct impact with the start up cost. My preferable place for a poultry farm is a rural area with a road nearby. This will reduce your cost of land and labor. When you start your poultry farming business you may not want to spend all of your money for a land in urban area. There are some other difficulties in urban area with poultry farming. Govt. will not allow you to make a farm in a residential area for health issue. So it is better to select a perfect land for your business in a rural area.

5. Investment Capital

After you have specified your location now you know how much capital you are required to start your chicken farming business plan. Write down all of your capital you need and manage the source where to get manage it.

Like every business the bigger your business plan the bigger you have to invest. You have to decide how much capital you can afford for this business.

Poultry Farming Business Plan – How to Get Going?

You have all of your business plans ready but if you don’t apply it then all are useless. We consider you have your capital ready if you have that then start for the next steps.

Step 1: Buy The Land

Like we suggested you earlier you have to choose a land which is a remote place from city. But remember don’t choose any place which is too far from the city and which don’t have any well transportation system.

Step 2: Build The Required Structure

A good housing system is very important for your poultry farming business. A good housing system not only save your chickens from danger but also increase your profit in poultry business. Every poultry housing systems are classified according to the management system, scale and the use. The common types of poultry housing systems used are

• Half litter
• Deep litter

Step 3: Buy Cages

Purchasing chicken cages is a very important part of the business as many of the affecting factors directly depends on the size, orientation, strength and layout of the chicken cage. Make proper measurements and analyze your poultry size and budget before buying the chicken cage. Here are the available chicken cages we offer – layer chicken cage (battery cage) , baby chick cage , broiler cage , commercial quail cages and commercial rabbit cages , etc.Hightop Poultry Equipmentis one of the leading chicken cage and poultry farm equipment manufacturer in China,contact usnow to get the free layout design according to your chicken house and birds quantity.

We have got another article in this blog describing the usage and utility of each of the cage types and surely that will help you to choose the best fit of your poultry.

Step 4: Buy Birds/Chicks

It is perfect decision to choose day old chick to start your poultry business. Before you buy these chicks find a reliable Hatchery where you can get healthy chicks. It will not cost you too much.

Step 5: Other Items and Accessories You Need

There are some otherpoultry cage accessorieslikedrinkers,feeders, Parches, crates, nests,lighting system,egg incubator,waste disposal system, etc.

You have to consider these costs too. And as an eventual part of plan, we also provide you the best poultry farm equipment like –Automatic egg collector,automatic feeding system,automatic manure removal machine,disinfectant fogging machineand cooling system, etc. in a very affordable price and top quality.

Challenges in Poultry Business Startup

Poultry farming is one of the most profitable business in these days. But you have to know the risk of this business. Though there are no businesses which are beyond risk and challenges.

1. Lack of Government Support

From our previous experiences we all may think that govt. will help us at our critical time in this business. But don’t be sure about it. Prepare yourself that govt. will not help when you need them. Think that you have to run your business alone without the help of any one. Take a backup for sudden loss. It may help you to run your business properly and if you get help from the govt. think that it is a bonus.

2. A Very High Starting Capital

It is said money is everything. So without a proper funding you will not be able to run your business. Like other business, poultry farming business also needs proper funding. Without it you may not be able to add extra facilities which will increase your production rate.

You need proper funding to purchase land, poultry farm equipment, food for your chick and you need to pay your labor. In all sector you need a good capital. So you should do a research on your cost and capital you have then you should start your poultry farm business. We can provide you the poultry cage and chicken farm equipment with good price, help you to save money.

3. Disease Out Breaking

A dirty environment in your firm will invite many diseases and infections. Poultry are very sensitive to the environmental changes. If the poultry farm is not taken care of properly the birds will easily be exposed to different kinds of bacteria. You have to keep your poultry farm clean as much as possible. Automatic manure cleaning system,disinfectant fogging machineandventilating systemcan help you.

You must not bring any contaminated equipment, footwear or even vehicles. Also do not allow any visitors in your poultry farm environment.

4. Other Influencing Factors

There are some other factors that can affect your poultry farming business like proper vaccination. You have to be able to afford it may become difficult for you if you are a small scale poultry farmer. So the thing you have to do is gather some other farmers like you and buy the vaccine.

Another challenge in poultry farming is the high cost of poultry food. So it is seen that most of the farmers who have a little capital, economize or ration the food. It affects the profit in a large scale.

Want to buy chicken cage and poultry farm equipment to start your own poultry farming business? Please feel free to contact us.

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• Agriculture

Livestock Farming

Aquaculture

Poultry Farming

Contract poultry farming in India

India’s poultry industry has grown rapidly and is now worth Rs 40,000 crore. There are more than 5,000 poultry farms in India. The majority of these farms are located in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. Contract poultry farming is a type of poultry farming where the farmer agrees to raise birds according to the company’s specifications.

The company provides day-old chicks, feed, and vaccines. The farmer is responsible for housing, feeding, and watering the birds. The company pays the farmer a fixed price per kilogram of live-weight chicken delivered to them. 

• The farmer does not have to invest in infrastructure or hatcheries. 
• The company bears the risk of disease. 
• The farmer does not have to worry about marketing the chickens as the company will buy them at a pre-agreed price. 
•  The farmer has no control over how the chickens are raised and what they are fed. 
•  The farmer may not be paid on time or at all if the company goes out of business. 
•  The farmer may be required to use harmful chemicals and antibiotics to meet the company’s standards.

Poultry farming in India is a rapidly growing industry, and there is a great demand for skilled farmers. The government of India offers many programs and courses to train farmers in this field. Some private companies also offer poultry farming training. The course covers poultry breeds, housing, feeding, management, health, and marketing. In addition, farmers learn about the different stages of chicken production, from hatching to slaughter.

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They also learn how to care for the birds and keep them healthy. After completing a poultry farming training program, farmers can start their farms or work for contract poultry companies. Contract poultry companies provide all the necessary equipment and inputs to farmers, and they buy back the birds at a predetermined price.

This arrangement allows farmers to focus on raising the birds without worrying about marketing or selling them. There are both advantages and disadvantages to contract poultry farming. On the one hand, it is a convenient way for farmers to get started in the industry with little investment. On the other hand, contract farmers may make less money than they would if they were running their farms.

To start a poultry farm in India, you must obtain a state government license. The process for obtaining a license varies from state to state, but generally includes registering your business, paying a fee, and completing an inspection. Once you have obtained your license, you will need to renew it yearly. Poultry farming is a regulated industry in India, so it is important to ensure that you follow all of the necessary steps to obtain a license.

The first step is registering your business with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Next, you will need to pay a fee to the Department of Animal Husbandry. After that, you will need to complete an inspection by the department to ensure that your facility meets all of the necessary standards. Once you have passed the inspection, you will be issued a license which must be renewed every year. 

Poultry farming can be a rewarding and lucrative business, but it is important to ensure that you follow all of the rules and regulations to avoid penalties. By obtaining a poultry farming license, you can be sure that you are operating your business legally and responsibly.

The cost of poultry farming in India can vary significantly depending on the scale of the operation and the region where it is located. For small-scale farmers, raising chickens can be as low as Rs 50 to 75 per bird. However, large-scale commercial operations can cost upwards of Rs 10 lakhs per month. Most of the costs associated with poultry farming in India are for feed and chicks. Other significant costs include housing, labor, transportation, and medications.

Contract poultry farming is an agreement between a company and a farmer to raise chickens according to the company’s specifications. The farmer is typically responsible for providing housing, feed, water, and other necessary inputs, while the company provides day-old chicks, vaccines, and technical support. Under this arrangement, the farmer agrees to sell the broiler chickens produced to the company at a predetermined price. 

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The main advantage of contract poultry farming for farmers is that it provides a guaranteed market for their chickens. This arrangement also allows farmers to focus on raising chickens rather than marketing and selling them. However, contract poultry farming can also be disadvantageous for farmers if the prices offered by the company are below the market rate or if there are strict production standards that are difficult to meet.

There are many different poultry breeds in India, each with unique characteristics. Some popular breeds include the Aseel, Kadaknath, and Rhode Island Red. The Aseel is a native Indian breed known for its strong constitution and fighting ability. Kadaknath chickens are prized for their dark meat, which is said to have medicinal properties.

Rhode Island Reds are a popular dual-purpose breed used for egg and meat production. Contract poultry farming is a type of agreement between a farmer and a company that provides chicks, feed, and other supplies. The farmer agrees to raise the birds according to the company’s specifications and sell them back to the company when they reach adulthood.

Contracting poultry farming has many benefits, including guaranteed market access for the farmer’s products and helping with financing and marketing. However, there are also some potential drawbacks, such as being locked into a long-term contract and having to follow strict guidelines set by the contracting company.

Contract poultry farming is a system of producing chickens for meat (known as broilers) or eggs (layers) under a long-term contract between a poultry farmer and an integrator. The integrator provides the day-old chicks, feed, houses, and other inputs needed for production, while the farmer is responsible for raising the birds and meeting defined production targets. The contract typically lasts for one to three years. Under this system, farmers can reduce financial risks by sharing them with the integrator.

In return, they give up some control over their production decisions and earn lower profits per bird than they would if they operated independently. Contract poultry farming has been growing rapidly in India since the early 1990s. It now accounts for more than 90% of the country’s broiler chicken production and about 70% of egg production. The two leading players in India’s contract poultry industry are integrated companies and independent farmers.

Integrated companies vertically integrate all stages of poultry production, from hatcheries to processing plants. Some India’s largest integrated poultry companies are Venky’s, Suguna Foods, Amrit Group, Godrej Agrovet, and Charoen Pokphand (CP) India. These companies contract with thousands of small-scale farmers across the country to produce chicken according to their specifications. Independent farmers typically contract with one or more integrators to raise chickens.

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The poultry industry in India has been growing at a rapid pace over the past few years. Contract poultry farming is one of the latest trends in this industry and has become quite popular among farmers. Under this system, farmers raise chickens on behalf of companies or hatcheries and are paid for their services. This type of farming has several advantages for both the farmers and the companies.

For farmers, it provides them with a regular income and helps them to avoid the risk of investing in expensive infrastructure and equipment. It also allows them to focus on what they do best – raising chickens! For companies, contract farming helps to reduce costs and ensure a steady supply of birds. However, there are also some disadvantages to this system. One of the biggest concerns is that it can lead to very high levels of debt for farmers if they are not careful.

Another issue is that companies often have strict requirements that farmers must meet to continue working with them. This can put a lot of pressure on farmers and make it difficult for them to make a profit. Contract poultry farming is a growing trend in India with pros and cons. Farmers should consider all aspects before deciding if it is right for them.

In India, contract poultry farming is common for chicken producers to do business. Under this system, a company contracts with farmers to raise chickens according to the company’s specifications. The company provides the chicks, feed, and other necessary inputs and pays the farmer a fixed price per kg of live weight gain. The main advantages of contract poultry farming for companies are that it helps them to control quality and reduce costs.

For farmers, the main advantage is that it provides them with a stable income. However, there are also some disadvantages to this system. For example, farmers may not be able to sell their chickens to other buyers if the price offered by the contracting company is lower than the market price. Therefore, if you’re considering getting into contract poultry farming in India, it’s essential to understand how the system works and the pros and cons.

Contract poultry farming in India is a system where the poultry farmer and the company agree. Under this agreement, the company provides the farmer with day-old chicks, feed, medication, and technical know-how. In return, the farmer agrees to raise the chicks according to the company’s guidelines and sell the chicken back to the company when they are ready for slaughter.

Contract poultry farming has many advantages for both the farmer and the company. For the farmer, it provides a steady income and removes many risks associated with traditional poultry farming. The farmer does not have to worry about finding a market for their chicken, as they have already been guaranteed a buyer. They also can avoid fluctuations in prices or unexpected costs. For the company, contract poultry farming allows them to produce a consistent product at a lower cost.

However, there are also some disadvantages to contract poultry farming. One of the biggest drawbacks is that it can be challenging for farmers to get out of their contracts if they are unhappy with the terms. This can leave farmers feeling trapped and unable to negotiate better terms or improve their conditions. Additionally, because contract farmers often rely on one company for their livelihood, they can be at a disadvantage when negotiating prices or terms of their agreement.

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Contract poultry farming in India has become a popular way for farmers to get into the poultry business. Many companies contract with farmers to raise chickens for them. The agreement between the farmer and the company usually stipulates that the farmer will provide the land, labor, and capital, and the company will provide the chicks, feed, and veterinary care. The farmer is also responsible for following the company’s guidelines on how to raise the chickens.

The main advantage of contract poultry farming is that it requires less capital than traditional poultry farming. The company provides the chicks and feed, so the farmer does not have to invest in these items. The other advantage is that the farmer has a guaranteed market for their chickens. The company contracts with the farmer to purchase all the chickens raised under the agreement.

The main disadvantage of contract poultry farming is that farmers have less control over their operations. The company dictates how the chickens must be raised, and if the farmer does not follow these guidelines, they may be terminated from the contract. Another disadvantage is that because the farmer has a guaranteed market for their chickens, they may be paid less than if they sold them on the open market.

The poultry industry in India is growing rapidly, with an annual growth rate of around 15%. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for chicken and other poultry products and the government’s initiatives to promote the sector. One of the key players in this industry is contract poultry farming. In this system, farmers produce chicken and other poultry products under a contract with a company.

The company provides the birds, feed, and other inputs and sets specifications for the end product. The farmer is responsible for raising the birds according to these specifications and delivering them to the company. There are several advantages to this system for both farmers and companies. For farmers, it provides a regular income and reduces some of the risks associated with farming.

For companies, it helps them to secure a steady supply of high-quality chicken and other poultry products. Some of India’s biggest companies involved in contract poultry farming include Venky’s, Godrej Agrovet, Suguna Foods, and Sagar Poultry. These companies have contracts with thousands of farmers across the country, and together they produce millions of chickens every year.

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The contract between farmers and poultry companies can vary greatly, depending on the size of the operation and the specific company involved. However, some general conditions are typically included in these types of agreements. The farmer agrees to provide a certain amount of land to construct chicken coops and other necessary infrastructure. The company agrees to provide the chickens, feed, and other supplies needed to raise them.

The farmer is typically responsible for caring for the chickens and ensuring they have enough food and water. The company may also require the farmer to follow certain guidelines regarding raising chickens. The contract will typically specify how long the agreement will last and how many chickens the farmer must raise each year.

It is important to note that these contracts can be very inflexible, so farmers must be sure they can commit to the terms before signing anything. Once the contract is up, the farmer is usually required to return all of the chickens to the company. The farmer may also be responsible for paying for any damage caused to the chicken coops or other equipment during the contract period.

Although contract poultry farming has pros and cons, it is still a very popular method of raising chickens in India. The main reason is that it is a very profitable venture for the companies involved. However, this system has some drawbacks, such as the farmers having little control over their operations and the chickens may not be raised in the best conditions.

Overall, contract poultry farming is a widely used method of chicken production in India and will likely continue to be so in the future. If you live in the following states and plan to start a contract poultry farming in India, this blog post would greatly help beginners.

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I am interested for contract poultry farming

interested in poultry farming on contract basis at dinajpur

I am intrested for contract farmig

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