How to KEEP VILLAGE CHICKENS FOR BUSINESS

An Easy-to-use Manual on Keeping & Selling Village

Chickens at a Profit

BCA Services

© 2014

All Rights Reserved. No excerpts of this material may be reproduced without

prior written approval from the publishers.

Some material in this manual is an adaptation of the Small-scale Poultry

Production Audio Recordings for East Africa and the CTA Training Audio

Programmes.

ISBN: 978 9982 70 062 7 (Print)

© BCA 2014

i

FOREWORD

BCA was established and incorporated in 2012 as a consulting firm whose

focus was and still remains, the spearheading of cost effective innovation for

business development and growth.

BCA Services comprises a team with expertise in agriculture, business, and

IT. Our Ethos is this, innovation adapted to our local business environment!

We offer services ranging from agricultural consultancy, business services &

consulting, research services, and innovative, cost effective IT solutions. We

aim for excellence in all our work.

Following an unserved market’s demand for simple, layman manuals on

village chicken production, we set out to produce this simple and easy to

use manual. This manual has been a combined effort of both industry and

academic expertise in chicken rearing and the business side of production.

It is our hope that you will find this manual different in a forward and good

way, we also hope to hear from you to help us improve on our future work

by letting us know your thoughts, comments, and suggestions. Please take

the time to join us on our online discussion forum specifically for this

manual by following the link provided below;

http://ow.ly/xxAmh

You can also email us your questions or comments on the email address

provided.

Thank you.

© 2014 BCA.

faq@consultbca.com

www.consultbca.com

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD................................................................................................. i

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 1

1.0 Background ....................................................................................... 1

1.1 The Opportunity ................................................................................ 2

1.2 Need for a manual on small-scale “village” chicken rearing ................. 2

CHAPTER TWO: WHY VILLAGE CHICKENS ................................................. 4

2.0 Introduction ....................................................................................... 4

2.1 Life Cycle in Village Chickens ............................................................. 6

CHAPTER THREE: GETTING STARTED ....................................................... 7

3.0 Introduction ....................................................................................... 7

3.1 How to use this Manual ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.2 Housing and Equipment ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.3 Management and Health ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.4 Nutritional Management ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

CHAPTER FOUR: MAKING MONEY ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.0 Introduction ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.1 Targets................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.2 Management and Records .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.3 Marketing ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter Five: Other Information .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

5.0 Introduction ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

5.1 Estimated Manure output .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

5.2 Estimated Supplementary feed Needs ... Error! Bookmark not defined.

5.3 Evaluating your Village Chicken Enterprise ........ Error! Bookmark not

defined.

Glossary ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

iii

List of Some Figures & Tables

Comparison of village and broiler chickens .................................................. 5

Life Cycle of a Typical Village Chicken ........... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Example of a basket provided for a brooding hen ......... Error! Bookmark not

defined.

Example of a Simple Rural Chicken House .... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Example of a Simple Income Statement ......... Error! Bookmark not defined.

1

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background

Poultry Farming can be defined as raising (keeping) chickens, ducks, or

other fowl (birds) for meat, eggs, or both. This is usually done for profit

making purposes and may also be done for only family feeding purposes. It

was one of the first types of agriculture to develop in Zambia starting from

the Copperbelt Province in the early 1950s. Today, poultry production has

grown in Zambia with a good number of both small scale producers and

commercial (large) scale producers producing chickens for the Zambian

market. However, the demand for chicken continues to grow and supply of

chickens is still not big enough to meet the demand for chickens in Zambia.

This therefore presents an opportunity for both small and large scale poultry

rearing; anyone who would want to venture into poultry farming at any level

would be able to make some good money from this venture as a business

opportunity. As a start, anyone wanting to take up one form of poultry

farming may need to start at small-scale poultry rearing first and then grow

as they gain the practical experience of the business.

Generally speaking small-scale poultry rearing can be divided into two main

types. Firstly, there is the more intensive production of either broiler

chickens (for meat production) or layers (for egg production). Chickens are

kept in specially built housing and provided with feed, vaccines (medicines),

and water in a well-planned pattern. The second type is the ‘village chickens’

which are usually free range birds which scavenge (search) for food during

the day, and are usually housed (locked up) at night. There are also semi-

intensive systems which combine both feeding and scavenging within an

enclosure for village chickens therefore increasing production costs slightly

but at the same time greatly reducing death rates and increasing size and

growth rates for the village chickens.

2

1.1 The Opportunity

In Zambia, village chicken demand has been growing steadily over the years

and continues to grow; this against a few number of producers producing at

an intensive level to meet this demand. Many small scale producers are yet

to see the real opportunity that lies with village chickens as yet in Zambia.

This is quickly changing and thus as with every opportunity the early birds

get the worm! In this case, the great potential earnings from this business

model.

There is a great potential for generating income from village chickens in

Zambia. A few examples of potential markets for the small scale producer of

village chickens include individual buyers (e.g. neighbours, friends, etc.),

restaurants of all sorts (try targeting the high-class restaurants if you are

sure to meet supply with them), smaller supermarkets (e.g. Melisa

Supermarket, etc.), market stores, special market events (e.g. Tuesday

Markets, Sunday Markets, Pakati Market at Arcades Shopping Mall in

Lusaka, etc.), and special event organisers such as amatebeto, weddings,

etc. the market is vast and the most important factor that will determine

your success as a small-scale producer will be how you market your

product. This factor includes how you present (packaging) the product and

how you advertise you product. Remember, you will only gain customers if

you create a good reputation (name) for yourself. If you do it right the first

time, your reputation will do the marketing for you.

1.2 Need for a manual on small-scale “village” chicken rearing

There has been a growing attention and interest in using agriculture and

entrepreneurship as a tool in poverty alleviation in Zambia. Village chicken

remains one area yet to be exploited in the country. Despite all this, the

potential that village chicken rearing presents is unquestionably good in

terms of potential money making from the business. Sadly, the existing

books and manuals have either being giving advice on larger scale

production of broiler chickens or are too detailed and confusing for the

3

common man, one does not need a degree in English or Science to start

rearing village chickens for business?

This manual sets out to help you with easy-to-follow guidelines for rearing

village chickens for profit making and how you can market and sale your

products to customers in Zambia in unique ways guaranteed to set you

apart. The language used is deliberately simple everyday language mixed

with some explained technical jargon (language) were needed. Our goal is to

ensure everyone who reads this manual finds it detailed but simple to

understand and apply in real life. The manual has been prepared with the

input from industry experts as well as individuals who have the real-life

practical experience to enrich the manual with real life knowledge.

It is our hope that this manual adds real ‘money’ value to your business

goals.

4

CHAPTER TWO: WHY VILLAGE CHICKENS

2.0 Introduction

Chickens are kept differently, from the free-range or scavenging (freely self-

feeding) chickens to birds confined (locked up) in pens/cages for their entire

lives.

Back yard chicken keepers have flocks (group of chickens) made up of

chickens of various ages of both sexes. The flock is generally allowed to feed

freely (or scavenge), and fed some left-overs from the family meals. This is

very different from the commercial chicken production (broilers) which

requires far greater management of the chickens and costs more by far.

Village chicken production differs from broiler chicken production not only

in terms of inputs and productivity but also in the occurrence of diseases.

Some general observations have been obtained from various research done

throughout Africa relating to village chickens production systems. Generally,

it has been found that;

Local chickens are dominant and more adaptable. Making them a

good investment choice.

Village chicken producers usually lack proper help in controlling for

diseases and predators (animals that may eat the village chickens). If

they had this, it would lead to reduced chicken deaths and improved

growth of birds.

Control of diseases could be done through improvement in veterinary

and agricultural advisory services.

The problem of predators could be reduced by teaching farmers to

build housing for the chickens.

Most village chicken production systems in villages are managed by

women so providing of trainings on modern chicken practices to

women would be essential in improving chicken production.

5

Providing credit facilities to village chicken owners and linking the

production with marketing will encourage village chicken owners and

contribute to the improvement of the sector.

Comparison of village and broiler chickens

Factor Village chickens Broiler chickens

Labour inputs Minimal Considerable

Housing Needs Trees; chicken houses

of local material;

inexpensive

Chicken unit using

conventional materials;

expensive

Nutrition (Feeding)

Needs

Scavenging feed

resource base, leftover

food, cereals, no

supplements;

inexpensive

Balanced commercial

ration; expensive

Water Intake Needs

Well water, used water,

natural sources

Clean water supply

essential

Production and

Numbers

Low; could improve with

better nutrition, disease

control and general

management

High; but requires a

high level of inputs

Meat quality

Little fat; pleasant

flavour; tougher texture

Broilers have more fat;

less flavour; softer

texture

Strength Good: good flight skills,

more likely to escape

predators, can scavenge

for own feed

Limited: poor flight

skills, easily caught by

predators, less skilled

at scavenging

Reproduction Good hatching and

mothering ability; hens

lay, brood, hatch and

look after young

Poor hatching and

mothering ability;

commercial breed hens

often do not go broody;

new birds are bought to

replace old birds

Veterinary (Medical)

inputs

Very limited; Newcastle

disease vaccination

Control of many viral,

bacterial and parasitic

diseases essential for

efficient production

6

2.1 Life Cycle in Village Chickens

Hens start laying when 24–30 weeks’ old (Figure 1). At any given time,

only about half the hens are ok and some 8–10% are bad.

Egg weight averages 40 g (range 27–65 g).

Most village chickens produce 2–4 clutches (a number of eggs) per

year, although some may produce 5–6 clutches. There are about 10

eggs per clutch, with a range of between 5 and 20.

About 70–90% of the eggs will give chicks (hatch) (*this changes with

the season).

Typically, about 8 chicks per clutch will hatch, with a range of

between 4 and 15.

Only 20–50% of chicks hatched will usually reach adulthood.

Approximately 85% of these losses occur in the first 3 weeks of life.

Adult mortality is usually very variable and depends on specific local

conditions and the occurrence of diseases.

Both sexes have a body weight of about 0.5 kg at 10–12 weeks

(although males are slightly heavier). Adult hens weigh between 1.0

and 1.5 kg, while roosters weigh between 1.3 and 2.5 kg.

7

CHAPTER THREE: GETTING STARTED

3.0 Introduction

Before you start a new village chicken production unit from start, you will

need sufficient planning and budgeting ahead of you implementing (doing)

your village chicken business.

Unlike broiler hybrids (usually just-for-meat chickens) and layer chickens

(usually kept for egg-laying), village chickens (Scientific name: Gallus gallus

domesticus) need time to mature and grow into a market-read size. This

growth time is most times seen by potential produces to be a hindrance,

however, this time frame can be taken into account through the difference in

price between village chicken and broilers. On average, village chickens are

relatively more expensive when compared to broilers. This can be used as an

advantage by proper planning and marketing. This is what this manual

covers and this is what makes this manual particularly different from other

manuals on the market. You will not only get detailed production techniques

but get detailed marketing ideas for your production plan as well all in one

manual made as easy as possible to avoid unnecessary jargon used in some

training manuals.

To download the eBook ONLY Manual, use the link below;

http://ow.ly/d/2enB

To make payments for the eBook ONLY Manual, contact

accounts@consultbca.com; and to order your Hard Copy

Book contact info@consultbca.com

How to KEEP VILLAGE CHICKENS FOR BUSINESS

An Easy-to-use Manual on Keeping & Selling Village

Chickens at a Profit

BCA Services +260 977 308 471 +260 955 308 471

info@consultbca.com www.consultbca.com