Are you tired of buying frozen eggs and chicken at the supermarket every week? Small chicken farming business is now gaining popularity in various regions, as well as being a powerful way to produce fresh eggs and chicken meat every day. The capital required to set up a chicken farm is quite light, and can be a source of income if you can sell the eggs produced to friends, neighbors and local traditional markets. Before you get fresh eggs to sell, you need to start a business, build a chicken coop, buy chicks, and take care of the chickens on the new farm.
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Part 1 of 5: Starting Your Business
Step 1. Understand the skills and abilities needed to raise chickens
Breeding requires hard work, a willingness to do everything practically, and a commitment to work all day long. As a novice breeder, you must understand the skills, skills and expectations required to be prepared to fulfill your duties and responsibilities.
- As a farmer, you need to be ready to work all day long, including weekends, early in the morning, even late at night. You should also be prepared to do manual labor, such as feeding, cleaning the coop, shoveling manure, and taking care of your chickens on a daily basis.
- You also have to be prepared for a variable income, because the profit you make depends largely on when the chickens lay their eggs and how you sell their meat and eggs. This means that the profits made in the first year tend to be small and you will need to wait a year or two before starting to make big profits.
- As a chicken farmer, you have to be patient and learn a lot from your early mistakes. You have to solve problems on your own, and rely on your own abilities.
Step 2. Make a business plan for your chicken farm
Make sure your farm is a success by creating a business plan. This plan should include:
- Expenses: This is the cost required to purchase various kinds of equipment, chicken feed, cages, and chickens. You will also need to set up funds to insure the farm, as well as pay the wages of the workers who help you take care of the farm.
- Income: This is the profit target you are after, which is the amount of profit that you must earn every month. It is very important to set a target so that you can ensure that the farm generates a regular turnover.
- Financing: To start a livestock business, you need a certain amount of financing or capital. The capital used can be in the form of savings, loans from business partners or family, and low-interest loans from the government. You should also have other income, for example from a part-time job or by taking care of someone else's farm. This income can be used to cover expenses and manage the farm.
- Unexpected expenses: As you know, bad weather conditions or seasons can cause revenue to drop. You must have contingency planning in place to survive a bad year or a natural disaster. Determine what you can do to save money and stay in business for as long as it happens. You may also need to determine an heir and make a will just in case something fatal happens.
Step 3. Find capital
If you don't have a lot of money in savings or get financing from family and friends, you will need to apply for a capital loan through a third party. This can be done through a government loan program for novice breeders, or through a capital loan from a local bank.
- Most banks work with local agencies to provide financing for new farms, for example through the Small Business Financing Pattern (PPUK) program from Bank Indonesia and the People's Business Credit (KUR) program managed by Bank BRI, Bank BNI, Bank Jateng, Bank Mandiri, and Bank Sinarmas. If you do not have land to raise livestock, you can make an agreement with the land owner to manage a vacant land under certain conditions.
- Look for information about the People's Business Credit (KUR) specifically for livestock, which was initiated by the government. This program allows you to borrow a certain amount of capital at a very low interest rate. The government is even ready to help you create various documents needed to set up a business, such as a Taxpayer Identification Number (NPWP) and a Business Domicile Certificate (SKDU).
- Look for information about the tax-free program for novice breeders. You can find this information at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, which is known to be diligent in making financing programs for farmers.
Step 4. Work with farmer organizations to gain experience
If you want to know the day-to-day work of a farmer, try working with a farmer's organization such as a Farmer-Owned Enterprise (BUMP).
The organization usually provides a place to live for those of you who want to learn to raise livestock. You can also gain more experience which will later be useful to help you set up your own farm
Part 2 of 5: Making a Chicken Farm
Step 1. Decide whether you want to free-breed or use cages
There are two options for raising chickens to try: in the coop or off. If you want to breed in cages, you will need a chicken coop, a building, and heavy equipment to take care of the chickens. Meanwhile, if you want to free livestock, you only need an empty land with a solid fence to protect the chickens from predators. Freelancing methods require less cost, and are suitable for managing large or small chickens.
- Most of the elements related to how to raise chickens, such as how to select and care for the chickens, are still the same regardless of whether you choose to breed in cages or breed independently. The most basic difference is this: Instead of building cages, you need to build small shelters on the farm. Chicken feed and water are then distributed to these places every day.
- You can also make a shelter with a door so the chickens can go in and out at will. You will need to use an electric fence around the shelter, then arrange the fence so that the chickens have access to other areas of the farm.
Step 2. Build a coop that can hold 40 to 50 chickens
The most important element in your chicken farm is the coop. Make sure the coop can accommodate 40 to 50 chickens at a time. Chickens are social animals who like to group. The cage made must be able to give each chicken half a square meter of space. For example, a cage measuring 8 x 8 square meters can accommodate up to 16 chickens. The coop should also have enough space to make it easy for you to collect eggs and remove chicken droppings with a shovel. However, make sure the coop is not too big, because chickens get cold easily in large areas.
- Most chicken coops are made of wood, with a wooden roof, small windows, and wire doors. The windows in the chicken coop are essential to let sunlight in in the winter, as well as to provide good ventilation in the summer. You can buy the necessary materials, then build your own cage.
- If you don't want to spend time building a cage, buy a finished cage at your nearest farm supply store. Chicken coops are sold at various prices, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of rupiah.
Step 3. Purchase a cage equipped with perches and laying eggs
The coop should be equipped with 15 to 30 cm of perches for each chicken. You can build it in the cage using plywood or 38cm diameter nails, so that the perch is at least 70-90cm from the floor of the cage.
The coop should also be equipped with a place to incubate an area of half a square meter, one place should be able to accommodate four to five chickens. The egg box at the bottom will hold the eggs produced so they don't fall into the dirt
Step 4. Install food and drink containers
Make sure the coop is equipped with a large enough feeding area and several shallow drinking containers to prevent the chickens from falling into it. You should use one long food container and one drinking container for 4 to 6 chickens.
Step 5. Delimit an area of 6 x 2 meters around the cage with wire and fencing
Your chickens need an area to walk and roam in order to spread their wings and bathe in dust all day long. This area will make your chickens healthier so they can produce quality eggs. You should fence the area with chicken wire to prevent your livestock from being targeted by predators, such as dogs and cats.
- Build the area near the cage for easy access. Chickens will spend a lot of time outdoors and in the coop. So, build both of them close together.
- You'll need to fortify the chicken wire with T-shaped poles to keep the chickens away from predators and ensure that no small animals sneak into the coop, such as ferrets, stoats, or snakes.
Step 6. Buy an incubator if you want to breed the chickens
If you want to breed chickens on your farm, purchase an incubator or two to keep them warm and cared for.
Keep in mind that incubators are quite expensive, and take up a lot of space. You can purchase an incubator from your local ranch store or online through websites that sell used goods
Step 7. Buy a stainless steel chicken chopper and feather remover for processing chicken meat
You have to be ready to process the chickens you raise to take the meat by buying a chicken feather cutter and plucker. This machine will make the chicken processing process faster and more efficient.
If you don't want to buy the equipment, use a knife and a pot of hot water to kill and process the chicken. However, large chicken farms usually always have sophisticated machinery to make the production process faster and easier
Step 8. Purchase an egg washer for laying hens
To sell chicken eggs commercially, you need an egg washing machine to clean the eggs perfectly. You will also need a professional measuring instrument to measure the quality of each egg and classify them according to their respective qualities.
You will also need to buy cardboard and labels for eggs. The label used must include information that the eggs are produced by local farmers naturally, and are free of pesticides or preservatives. This will attract more customers
Part 3 of 5: Choosing and Buying Chicken
Step 1. Choose Ranger or Heritage chickens if you want to produce meat
If your main goal is to produce broilers, use Ranger breeds, which can grow much faster than regular white broilers. Chickens of this type can be "harvested" after 12 weeks.
Heritage breeds, such as the Jersey Giant, Wyandottes, Rocks, and Australorps are also good broilers, and can be used for two different purposes, namely producing meat and eggs. This breed of chicken takes a long time to grow, but their body is very healthy and the taste of the meat is delicious. Heritage chickens can be "harvested" after being raised for 6-8 months
Step 2. Choose Black Star, Red Star, or White Leghorn Chickens if you are looking for laying hens
Most types of laying hens are smaller than broilers and can lay brown or white eggs. There is no difference whatsoever from brown and white eggs except the color of the shell. Most white eggs come from White Leghorn hens, while white eggs come from Rhode Island Red Breed hens. Black Star, Red Star, or White Leghorn are very popular laying hens because they can lay 320-340 eggs per year.
Step 3. Buy a special breed of chicken if you want to produce meat and eggs
Several types of chickens can be categorized as both broilers and laying hens. With proper care, you can get both meat and eggs from these chickens. Most novice breeders use this breed of chicken in order to obtain eggs and meat.
- Some types of chickens that are capable of producing meat and eggs are Orpingtons, Rocks, Wyandottes, Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, and Sussexes. You will need a rooster to breed the chicks, one rooster for every eight to twelve hens.
- Most double-breeds take about three to four weeks to produce and incubate eggs. This means the hen will sit on the egg to incubate her chicks. So your farm animals can continue to grow without needing to buy chickens or incubate eggs using tools.
Step 4. Buy chicks if you are ready to wait to lay eggs and bacon
You can buy chickens of various ages from the breeder: there are young chicks, hens that are ready to lay eggs, and hens that are fully grown. Young chicks take the longest to grow up. It will take you about six months for them to start laying eggs, but the chickens are priced very cheaply, only around IDR 15,000 per head. Buy 40 to 60 chickens if you intend to develop your business on a large scale, or 12 to 14 chickens if the scale of the business being developed has a medium to low level.
- Layers ready for production are 20 weeks old and are more expensive than chicks. However, they are certain to be able to produce eggs soon. This chicken is usually a female who is ready to immediately mate and lay eggs.
- It is very difficult to find mature laying hens for sale, because usually these chickens are only sold if a farmer wants to replace them.
Step 5. Ask the seller the noise level and temperament of the chickens you want to buy
You can buy the chickens from the nearest breeder which is managed by experienced breeders. You should ask about the noise level of the chickens, their ability to move around, and their ability to live in enclosed spaces. The breeder should be able to recommend a certain type of chicken that fits the size and condition of the cage on your farm.
You should also ask about the potential for egg production and the time it will take for them to start laying eggs or when they can be harvested for the meat. For example, some types of chickens, such as the Jersey Giant, behave very calmly, are docile, and are able to lay many eggs. However, they need a large cage because of their jumbo size. Meanwhile, several other types of chickens, such as Araucanas, are not very docile, but are very calm and able to live in closed spaces, and are able to produce greenish colored eggs that are different from other eggs in general. A chicken seed seller must provide complete information when you want to buy chicken from him
Part 4 of 5: Caring for Chickens
Step 1. Buy chicken feed in bulk
Purchasing feed is one of the biggest expenses in managing a chicken farm, but it is also the most important. High quality feed will nourish your chickens so that the resulting product is of higher quality. Although they can find their own food on the ground, if left unchecked, the chickens will starve so they don't produce as many eggs and meat. Purchase a two-month supply of feed. This method can save you money while ensuring that you will not run out of chicken feed.
Step 2. Feed the chicks starter feed
Most small farms buy chicks at the start of the business. So, it is very important to provide them with proper nutrition and good care in order to grow into healthy adult chickens. Look for starter feed in crumb or ground form. The feed usually contains 18-24% protein to help the development of muscle and body weight of chickens.
- Give the chicks starter feed once a day for the first two days, then start mixing in a little bran on the third day. This will help them digest their food better. You can mix the feed with the bran until the chicks are mature, then replace it with shellfish flakes when the chicks start laying eggs. Chicks usually consume about 1.5 kg of starter feed during the first three weeks.
- You have to make sure the water container in the coop is not too deep because the chickens can drown in it. The container should be shallow and cleaned regularly. Give one gallon of water for one hundred chicks. If you have a pigeon, provide one container of water for six to eight chickens.
Step 3. Use a special light for the chicken coop to keep the coop warm
Chicks need a warm cage to grow properly. The temperature in the cage should be at 33 degrees Celsius. When the feathers on the chicks begin to grow, you can lower the temperature in the coop by half a degree Celsius per week until the chicks are five weeks old.
Make sure the chicks have easy access to feed and water in the coop. You can do this by spreading pine shavings on the floor of the cage, then covering it with several layers of newsprint. Spread the chick feed on newsprint for easy access and make sure the chicken feed container is always full. Take a layer of newsprint daily until the chicks are comfortable using the feed container provided
Step 4. Make sure there is enough space in the coop to prevent chicks from picking each other up
This is very common with chicks in cages, as is cannibalism and pecking each other to death. You can prevent this by leaving enough room in the coop for all the chickens.
Try mixing chickens of different ages in one coop. Let the older chickens live with the younger ones. As long as there is enough space in the cage, they will not attack each other
Step 5. Change chick feed to fattening feed when the chicks have started to feather, which is when the chicks are about six weeks old
If you are breeding a breed of chicken that matures quickly, you will need a fattening feed with 18-24% protein content until they are fully mature (about six to nine weeks). The chickens are capable of consuming up to 9 kg of feed from the age of three weeks until they are ready to be processed at the age of six to nine weeks.
- If you have Heritage or Ranger breeds, you should give them a fattening feed with 18-21% protein content to ensure the chickens grow fat and healthy. Ranger breeds can consume 11 kg of feed at three weeks of age until they are ready for processing, which is 11-12 weeks of age.
- Laying hens require a protein intake of 17-20% until they start laying eggs at the age of five months. Switch their feed to a fattening feed with a protein content of 15-17% mixed with shell flakes when the chickens start laying eggs. This will make the chickens produce strong-shelled eggs.
Step 6. Collect eggs once or twice a day
When the chickens are mature and ready to lay eggs, you can start taking the eggs from the holder. As long as the chicks get 12 to 14 hours of light per day, most of them will start laying eggs in the spring, summer, and early fall.
Part 5 of 5: Marketing and Selling Products from Your Farm
Step 1. Define your target market
Think about who will buy the produce from your farm. Maybe you produce quality chicken of a certain breed that is worth selling to a local upscale restaurant. Or you can sell eggs at a lower price than competitors. Seek as much information as possible and visit the nearest traditional market to see the types of eggs and chicken meat sold. You should also look at menus at local restaurants and look for opportunities to sell your products to them.
You also need to think about how to market your product to potential buyers. If your target market is people who shop at the market, you should be able to pack and sell products there. Meanwhile, if your target market is restaurant or culinary business owners, you may need to obtain certification from the government in order to sell these products to clients
Step 2. Advertise online to attract potential buyers
To make a profit from farming, you need to focus on marketing your produce to local food outlets and local suppliers. This will allow you to earn more turnover, sell more products, and build better relationships with customers. Promote your products by creating online advertisements and using existing databases to attract more buyers.
- Create a Facebook account for your farm and update it regularly with farm news and photos. This is a free marketing strategy that can get you connected with buyers outside the region.
- You may need to create a business card and a business website for your farm. Both of these allow you to advertise your farm as well as to inform you about changes and updates to the products you sell.
Step 3. Sell your product at your local traditional market
Most chicken farmers focus on local customers by selling their products in nearby traditional markets. This method is the right step for novice breeders because you don't have to travel far and can build closeness with customers who regularly come to the same market.
Products must be properly labeled with your farm's logo and name, as well as a note that they are produced by local farmers and are preservative free. If you use organic feed or leave your chickens free to forage, you should also include this information on the product packaging. This will attract customers who are sensitive to health issues and care about the surrounding environment
Step 4. Adjust the type of chicken selected based on the results of product sales
After selling produce from your farm for a few weeks or months, do an evaluation of the breed of chicken that was raised. Note if there are products from certain types of chicken that sell better than other types of chicken. Consider changing the type of chicken used so that you can have a chicken that is able to produce meat and eggs that are more in demand in the market. This method will ensure the continuity of your farm business, as well as make the products sold according to the customer's wishes.
