Chicken farming is a profitable venture, and anyone in either layers or broiler farming can make a kill given the high demand for poultry products.
According to reports, with proper planning, layer farming can yield a profit margin of 20-25 percent on investment. These birds need a longer commitment as they start laying eggs at 18-20 weeks and lay for about a year.
On the other hand, broiler chickens have a quick stock turnover, which makes them attractive to farmers looking for short-term agribusiness.
While some farmers have succeeded in poultry farming, others have failed due to poor planning.
Below are some of the major reasons why some poultry chicken farmers fail, as explained by agriculture expert iMaDe FARMs.Â
- Insufficient knowledgeÂ
Most rush to farming after seeing their neighbors results. They don’t take their time to learn about important farm requirements, market dynamics, demand and supply curves!
- Lack of persistence:
Most people want instant gratification. They want to be millionaires overnight. They don’t want to face management, disease challenges or market challenges!
All they want is more and more profits in just a few months. I am sorry to burst your bubble but farming doesn’t work that way. You’ve got to toil and sweat and work smart. Nothing comes easily.
John Rapando: How I make Sh25,000 daily after starting poultry farming with Sh30,000
- High cost of feeds and poultry equipment:
This has been a pain in the neck! The cost of production has gone over the roof in recent times due to this. We always advise farmers to use creativity and improvise these things e.g buckets in place of drinkers and feeders. Proper feeding management without any wastage is also very important.
- Insufficient knowledge on marketing
This is demoralizing at the same time heart breaking. It’s important that you learn the skill of agri-marketing!
- Not working with farming professionals
Some farmers do trial and error in their ventures instead of consulting with professional agronomists, vets etc! Due to this they are unable to fight challenges in the farm e.g diseases and they really lose a lot.
- Disease outbreaks
A very serious problems due to insufficient knowledge on disease managenent. Most farmers don’t follow strict vaccination programmes and biosecurity therefore the birds end up dying or being unproductive!
- Middle-men and brokers
These are a double-edged sword for lack of a better word. Some are good while others are outright selfish. Some can be farmer’s worst nightmare as they can take the highest profit share from your produce because they have proper market knowledge!
They promise you heaven but give you hell. It’s therefore important for you to do a market research and know what kind of market you are dealing with!!!
- Wrongly advised farmers
Have you ever heard of this story of a new farmer who was advised by a fellow farmer to give her pullets cow feed and other animals meal in order for her hens to start laying early? The birds matured but even at 7 months none had started laying!
