Introduction:
Chickens are raised for 2 purposes. One is to get eggs from them and the other is to get meat from them. Chickens that are raised for meat are ready in three months of broiler feed, whereas chickens that are raised for egg production are ready in about five to six months. Easy access to chicken and eggs can aslo be made possible by keeping chickens at home. Poultry is a cheaper source of meat and egg production as well as protein as compared to other animals. And chickens have become an important part of the human diet.
Domestic and small-scale poultry farming fulfills the requirement of proteins etc. by getting meat and eggs etc. for a family. But raising chickens on a large and commercial scale provides an excellent source of income. This is the reason why even in this modern era, the business of raising chickens is being done on a small and large scale. Poultry farm business is perfect for people who love to keep birds and animals and can easily live in their farm. Poultry farming is a profitable business.
Raising chikens for meat:
Generally, people also do poultry farming at home which is called domestic poultry farming. This fulfills their family’s need for eggs and meat. They also earn a good profit from them. Poultry farming is also done commercially on a large scale. Its main purpose is to make profit. Then if it is done by selling eggs or by selling the meat of these chickens. There are a few things to keep in mind when raising chickens for meat. For example, their food, climate and weather, choice of place and their health etc.
Selection of site for poultry farm:
Choosing a suitable location for a poultry farm business is very important. You should choose a place where all the facilities are available then you can do business easily. It should be at a short distance from the city or population where land for poultry farm is cheap and labor cost is not high. But don’t build poultry farms too far away from the city or population because you have to sell your poultry farm products only after coming to the city or population. Choose a place from where you can easily transport as well as the medicine for the birds is easily available.
Construction of sheds for chickens on poultry farms:
After choosing the place for the poultry farm, then build a good enclosure or shed for your birds. Make sure that all the necessary facilities are available in the enclosure or shed for the birds. There are three types of enclosures or sheds on a poultry farm. which are as follows.
Extensive Farming (Open-air and far-flung or extensive bird-raising)
Semi-Intensive Farming (Rearing of birds partly by building a shed and partly under the open sky)
Intensive (Keeping birds in a Shed)
A broiler chicken needs about two and a half (2.5) square feet of space but a layer chicken needs about four (4) square feet of space.
Keeping birds in a poultry farm will require the following items which are given in the list:
- Feeders
- Waterers
- Nests
- Cages
- Incubator
- Egg Tray
- Lighting Instruments
- Perches
- Heaters
- Ventilation system
- Waste Disposal System