business plan for a chicken hatchery

Sample Chicken Egg Hatchery Business Plan

Egg hatchery business plan sample.

Starting a chicken hatchery business is not as tedious as it seems. It is a very good agribusiness to get into.

Chicken and eggs are largely consumed by many people around the world as a staple protein, that is why it is advisable to learn how to start a chicken hatchery business if you want a regular source of income.

READ: SAMPLE POULTRY FARMING BUSINESS PLAN

If you have capital and you have been looking for a profitable business to invest in, you could start a chicken hatchery business as it is very lucrative. Even if you don’t have the experience or expertise, it doesn’t take too much time to learn about it.

GUIDE: COMMON POULTRY DISEASES – SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

What you Need to Start a Chicken Hatchery Business

To start a chicken hatchery business, you’ll need;

• A business plan
• Space (land)
• Knowledge of the business or experience
• Reliable supplier
• Consistent water supply and electricity

Step 1: A Hatchery Business Plan 

This is the first requirement to starting a successful chicken hatchery business or any business at all. You will need to create a proper business plan after doing your research about the business. This chicken hatchery business plan will serve as a guide in the running of the business.

Aside from that, it can also be used to request for a loan from financial institutions.

Step 2: Capital

You have to buy land, equipment, eggs, and attend a training if you are new to the business as the business demands specific skill. The amount of capital you will need will depend on the size of the chicken hatchery business you want to start. Starting a chicken hatchery business requires a huge capital investment.

So, you may need to seek for loans to get started if you are short of the needed cash. This is where your business plan comes to play. As far as your business plan is well written and explains in detailed what the investor needs, satisfies the investor, you are certain to get your loan request granted.

Step 3: Space (Land)

The land is crucial to this business, but not just any land. If you’re buying land make sure it is a higher ground. The poultry shed requires enough of space for the birds to be able to move about freely. The chicken hatchery business needs at least 2500 sq. ft. Get a place devoid of pollution with lots of fresh air. It should also have a proper drainage system.

Make sure everything is well set up, from where the equipment will be kept, to where the chicks would stay. It shouldn’t be cramped.

MORE: POULTRY FARM LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Step 4: Equipment

You can’t do without equipment if you want the business to run smoothly. These are the equipment you will need;

• Automatic egg hatcher
• Brooder, feeder, waterer
• Egg Debreaker
• Egg tester (electric)
• Weighing balance
• Generating set
• Air conditioner
• Refrigerator
• Bowls, trays, buckets, baskets
• Veterinary instruments

Step 5: Knowledge About the Business

If you do not have any previous experience, you could go for training or take courses. However, if you do have experience, you can still go for a mini-seminar to brush up your skills and expertise. Alternatively, if you know someone into the business, you can visit and talk to them so they can educate you about the business and how to go about it.

SEE: BATTERY CAGE VS DEEP LITTER SYSTEM OF POULTRY PRODUCTION

Step 6: Reliable Supplier

Whether you intend to buy eggs or chicks, getting it from the right source is important. Purchase your eggs and chicks from reputable farmers. This helps to sustain your chicken hatchery business in the long run because you are going to produce quality livestock.

Step 7: Consistent Water Supply and Electricity

Some of the equipment you will be using for the business will require constant power supply to function continuously. Adequate and clean water supply is essential. Change their drinking water frequently to prevent them from falling sick.

BRIEF OVER-VIEW OF HOW IT’S DONE

After buying your one-day-old chicks. Feed and care for them properly till they get to the laying stage. When they have laid the eggs, take it to the hatchery department. Clean the eggs. Separate the cracked eggs, and remove the unfertile eggs.

Find out if the eggs are suitable for hatching. Keep them in an air-conditioned room to reduce the temperature to make it suitable for hatching. When the temperature has been brought down, put the eggs in the egg setter incubators.

Leave them in the incubators for 18 days, by the end of the 18 th  day, keep the eggs in the holder incubators and incubate them for 3 days. This makes a total of 21 days. After 21 days, your chicks are ready to hatch- they break the shells and come out. Such a beautiful sight to behold!

Now that you know what it takes to start a chicken hatchery business, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start. Chicken is in huge demand and it has a wide market. You can start your chicken hatchery business locally by supplying to poultry farmers who rear chicks (growers).

When poultry farmers in your vicinity know they can get quality chicks and eggs from you, they’ll keep coming back and your business will grow. Knowing how to start a chicken hatchery business is not enough, other factors like proper planning, management and care of the livestock are equally important. Investing in the right equipment makes it easier to run the business and minimizes losses.

SEE: BROILER VS LAYER PRODUCTION – WHICH IS MORE PROFITABLE?

You cannot do it alone. Hiring the right staff who are exceptional in their various roles will be of great benefit to the chicken hatchery business in the long run. Make it a point of duty to be knowledgeable about the various aspects of running a chicken hatchery business and watch your business grow in leaps and bounds.

EGG HATCHERY BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

Here is a sample business plan for starting a poultry hatchery business.

The agro-allied industry , of which poultry is a subset of, is increasingly drawing the attention of investors and entrepreneurs. There have been huge investments in this agro sector, with impressive results to show for this.

This hatchery business plan will be treated under the following sections;

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Products and Services

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

• Target Market

Competitive Advantage

Payment Channels

Publicity and Advert Strategies

Sales Projection

Source of Revenue

Source of Startup Funding

Evans Hatcheries is a hatchery business located in the heart of Washington, which will be providing high quality hatchery services covering a wide range of poultry birds. There is an increasing demand for quality poultry products and to achieve this, the responsibility lies on the hatchery sector. It is in recognition of this that we have put in place a business model that will ensure that only the best products are released to the open market.

To achieve this, we have put in place a world class quality control department and laboratory to ensure that only industry best practices and procedures are adopted. We have also established an efficient marketing department to strategize on an efficient distribution strategy for our products and services.

Our hatchery business has in place the best hatchery facilities which cover a wide variety of bird types that include turkey, chicks (consisting of broiler, layers and cockerels) and ducks. Because this business depends on eggs, we are putting in place a 5,000 capacity poultry farm with a variety of birds that include chicken, turkey and ducks.

However, this will not be currently sufficient for our hatcheries, as we have plans of further growing our egg production capacity. Therefore, we will be purchasing our egg needs from external sources (other poultry farms) for the main time.

Our vision at Evans hatcheries is to be among the top hatcheries within the DC area, with an expansion plan of extending our operations across other states within the United States. We plan on being among the top hatcheries in the United States within a decade from the time of commencing our business operations.

We are into the hatchery business to make profits. However, this is not our driving force alone, as we believe that we also believe in service excellence. Therefore, our clients are our primary focus. We will be addressing the problem of low quality chicks encountered by farmers which has significantly increased the mortality rate, thereby reducing the profit margin for farmers.

Our Target Market

Our target market is quite extensive, as we will be mainly focused on the production of quality birds for other poultry farms, individual poultry farmers, as well as entering into a mutual relationship with other contacts within the industry to get maximum exposure to market demand. In addition to this, our hatchery business seeks to engage in price matching with similar businesses to offer competitive pricing for our services and products.

To compete effectively in the hatchery sector, we are putting in place certain conditions not commonly available in similar businesses. Such include an enhanced welfare package for our workforce to ensure increased dedication which results in increased productivity. Our quality control unit will be of the highest quality to make way for the provision of the best products and services to our clients.

This will be varied and diverse, as we will be deploying every available payment system to ease the stress related to the payment for services. These will include the use of the POS machines, the acceptance of cash payments, use of credit cards, receipt of cheques as well as the use of internet banking among several payment options.

We will reach our target market through the adoption of the most effective publicity and advertisement strategies. These will include the use of internet tools such as building a website, using social media tools for effective exposure and also the adoption of the print and electronic media channels. Word of mouth marketing should not be ignored as it is still an effective publicity and advertising tool.

Using the current economic realities, we have conducted a research on possible sales projection, and the results so far have been impressive. This projection covers a three year period and the results are shown on the chart below. It will be important to note here that unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters and economic recession have been discounted at arriving at the results.

• First Year $390,000
• Second Year $500,000
• Third Year $710,000

A bulk of revenue generated for the business will come mainly from the products and services offered by our hatchery business. As time goes on, we intend creating additional income streams for the business to add to our revenue generation diversity.

Funding for this business will come partly from savings set aside by the owner of the hatchery business (30% of the required funds) while the bulk (70%) of the funding will come through debt financing arrangements.

Read: Starting an Egg Wholesale Business

This poultry egg hatchery business plan sample provides a guideline for the entrepreneur/investor to work with. The information provided here can be used for guidance purposes only, as the entrepreneur will need to carry out an intensive brainstorming sessions to come up with realities faced by his/her business while adopting the structure of this business plan.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Chicken Egg Hatchery Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

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

Are you about starting a chicken egg hatchery? If YES, here is a complete sample chicken egg hatchery business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a chicken egg hatchery company. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample chicken egg hatchery marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for chicken egg hatchery companies. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Why Start a Chicken Egg Hatchery Business?

You may want to agree that there are loads of business opportunities in the poultry industry and chicken egg hatchery business is one of them.

It is important to state that starting a chicken egg hatchery business comes with its own fair share of challenges, but that does not rule out the fact that it is indeed a profitable business. An aspiring entrepreneur can either choose to start the business on a small scale covering a small community or on a large scale depending on their financial status.

So, if you have decided to go into the chicken egg hatchery business, then you should ensure that you carry out thorough feasibility studies and market survey. This will enable you locate the business in a good location; a location with poultry farms that don’t have their own hatchery and then hit the ground running.

Business plan is yet another very important business document that you should not take for granted when launching your own business. Below is a sample chicken egg hatchery business plan template that can help you to successfully write your own.

A Sample Chicken Egg Hatchery Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

A chicken egg hatchery is a facility where chicken eggs are hatched under artificial conditions. Chicken egg hatchery business is under what is known as the Poultry Raising industry and this industry consist of businesses that operate hatcheries for poultry, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and guinea fowl.

Please note that egg production is also covered in this industry, but the production of feathers or down is not. The Poultry Raising industry has experienced positive trends in the demand for artificially hatched chicks and eggs. Of course, increasing health consciousness among American meat consumers has boosted consumption of white meat such as chicken, which is also more affordable than beef or pork.

Going forward, the industry will continue to enjoy appreciable growth and chicken farmers will keep smiling to the bank. Falling input prices will enable chicken farmers to increase production volumes; on the other hand, many farms will consolidate to gain the benefits of economies of scale.

In the united states of America, most poultry farmers have been functioning for more than ten years. They are often family enterprises passed down from one generation to another. The major barriers facing new entrants in the industry include the competitive nature of a contract based income system, the medium level of investment required and of course compliance with various environmental regulations.

The Poultry Raising industry is indeed a very large industry and pretty much thriving in all parts of the world. Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 132,549 licensed and registered chicken egg production companies directly responsible for employing about 143,740 employees.

The industry rakes in a whooping sum of $34 billion annually with an annual growth rate projected at -0.6 percent between 2012 and 2017. It is important to state that Cal-Maine and Rose Acre Farms are the establishments with the lion shares in this industry.

Of course, there are barriers to entry if you want to start a chicken egg hatchery business in the United States of America but the barriers are minimum. The industry is fairly automated, and new entrants therefore need to make significant investment into capital equipment such as incubators and feeding systems.

Fresh operators also require investment to build sheds, barns and other infrastructure. The costs of purchasing or establishing poultry farms and feed mills are additional, yet significant, posing a further barrier to entry.

Plants are normally located within close driving distance to growers to reduce transportation costs. The ability to provide and diversify value-added products such as processed poultry has created entry possibilities. However, operators that seek to exploit such opportunities require more sophisticated facilities, pushing up entry costs

If you are looking towards leveraging on the agriculture industry to generate huge income, then one of your best bet is to start chicken egg hatchery business.

One thing is certain about starting this business, if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies, you are likely not going to struggle to sell your chicks because there are always small poultry farmers who can’t afford to operate their own hatchery.

2. Executive Summary

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is a licensed chicken egg hatchery cum poultry farm that will be located in an ideal farm facility in the outskirts of Des Moines, Iowa – United States.

We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure 20 hectares of land to start our chicken egg hatchery business. Our facility is going to be a standard commercial chicken egg hatchery hence will be involved hatching eggs for other poultry farmers.

We are in the chicken egg hatchery line of business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the poultry industry, to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food production.

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is well positioned to become one of the leading chicken egg hatchery 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 business.

We have put processes and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to hatching chicken eggs artificially as required by the regulating bodies in the United States of America.

At Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, 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.

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is a private registered commercial chicken egg hatchery that is owned by Mr. Boyle Fergusson and his immediate family members. The business will be fully financed by the owner – Mr. Boyle Fergusson and his immediate family members at least for a period of time before welcoming other investors.

3. Our Products and Services

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is a standard commercial chicken egg hatchery that is committed to follow the rules and regulations governing the industry that we belong to. We are in the commercial chicken egg hatchery line of business to make profits and we are going to do all we can to achieve our business goals, aim and objectives.

Here are our services offerings

• Operating poultry hatcheries
• Raising and breeding chickens
• Raising and breeding turkeys
• Raising and breeding ducks
• Raising and breeding geese
• Producing eggs from poultry

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision as a company is to become one of the leading chicken egg hatcheries in the United States of America.
• Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is a world class and registered commercial chicken egg hatchery cum poultry farm that is committed towards hatching chicken eggs for poultry farmers in the United States of America.

Our Business Structure

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is a family owned and managed commercial chicken egg hatchery cum poultry farm that intends starting small in Des Moines – Iowa, but hopes to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading commercial chicken egg hatchery cum poultry farms in the United States.

At Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, 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 our 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 ten years or more. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Operating Officer

Chicken Egg Hatchery/Poultry Farm Manager

• Accountant/Cashier
• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Hatchery Operator
• 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
• 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.
• In charge of fixing prices and signing business deals
• Accountable for providing direction for the business
• In control of 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 managers especially as it relates to preparing the newly hatched chicks for delivery
• Provides advice on the management of chicken egg hatchery activities across all section
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Keeps track of people and progress of chicken eggs to be hatched and chicks that in our poultry farm
• Ensures that farming goals are achieved, the most efficient resources (manpower, equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out induction for new team members

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
• In control of 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 the organization
• Serves as internal auditor for the organization.

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
• 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

Hatchery Operators

• Responsible for operating the hatchery and ensure that the required temperature is maintained at every given point
• Responsible for daily collection of hatched chicks
• Answerable for feeding newly hatched chicks as instructed by the supervisor
• Responsible for cleaning the hatchery, the poultry and the entire environment
• Changes the water for the newly hatched chicks on a regular basis
• Carries out task in line with the stated job description
• Contributes to packaging the newly hatched chicks in creates and loading them into delivery trucks

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 poultry farm manager 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

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, 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 chicken egg hatchery cum poultry farm that will favorably compete with leading commercial hatcheries in the United States of America.

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 chicken egg hatchery cum poultry farm. Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC.

Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC;

Our strength as a commercial chicken egg hatchery cum poultry farm is the fact that we have healthy relationships with major players in the poultry industry especially small poultry farmers who rely on commercial hatcheries to help them hatch their eggs.

We have some of the latest hatcheries, tools and equipment that will help us hatch and raise chicks 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 and around Des Moines – Iowa under our payroll.

Our weakness could be that we are a new egg hatchery business 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 we 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 chicken egg hatchery cum poultry farm cannot be quantified; we know that there are loads of small poultries who don’t have the capacity to operate their own hatcheries. 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 egg hatchery business are global economic downturn that can impact negatively on spending, bad weather cum natural disasters, unfavorable government policies and the arrival of a competitor (a commercial poultry farm that engages in the hatching chicken eggs) within the same location.

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

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The technology that is used in hatching chicken eggs has been greatly improved from when it first came into the scene. In recent time, commercial hatchery is now easier to operate, the technology is much simpler and you can predict the outcome with almost 100 percent accuracy.

8. Our Target Market

Usually, the target market of the commercial egg hatchery business and also those who benefit from the value chain of the business is restricted to poultry farmers and households who just want to have chickens in their yards. Hence we will target our services to these set of customers.

• Our Competitive Advantage

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is fully aware that there are competitions when it comes to operating hatcheries, 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.

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 egg hatchery process that can help us hatch eggs at competitive prices, good network and excellent relationship management.

Superior financial management and debt management, guaranteed supply of key inputs and of course economies of scale are some of the competitive advantages that we are going to be bringing to the table.

Another competitive advantage that we are bringing to the industry is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of small poultry farmers who don’t have their own hatcheries. Aside from our relationship (network) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in Des Moines – Iowa under our payroll.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category 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 objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is in the chicken egg hatchery 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.

We will generate income by;

10. Sales Forecast

Going by the market research and survey conducted, we were able to discover that the sales generated by the egg hatchery business depend on the size of the business and of course the size of their marketing network.

We have perfected our sales and marketing strategies, we are set to hit the ground running and we are quite optimistic that we will meet or even surpass our set sales target of generating enough income/profits from the first year of operation and build the business from survival to sustainability with the shortest period of time.

We have been able to critically examine the egg hatchery line of business, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some workable assumptions as well with respect to the nature of egg hatchery business that we run.

• First Fiscal Year: $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year: $400,000
• Third Fiscal Year: $550,000

N.B : This projection was 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, and unfavorable government policies.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are aware that the reason why some egg hatchery businesses hardly make good profits is their inability to attract small poultry farmers who are the major customers of such business.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the poultry farms industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets. In summary, Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC will adopt the following strategies in marketing our services;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to stake holders in the poultry farms industry, small poultry farms and free range chicken farmers who don’t have the capacity to operate their own hatchery et al.
• Advertise our business in agriculture and poultry related magazines and websites
• List our business on yellow pages ads
• Attend related agriculture and poultry 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 to advertise and promote their business. We intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means.

Below are the platforms we will leverage on to boost our chicken egg hatchery brand and to promote and advertise our business;

• Place adverts on community based newspapers, radio and TV stations
• Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms to promote our business.
• Ensure that we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Des Moines – Iowa
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
• 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 wear our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

We will ensure that we peg the price for hatching chicken eggs based on what is obtainable in the industry. We know that one of the obvious price model is that chicken eggs to be hatched are priced based on dozens or per create or even per unit hence we are going to be flexible and adopt the one that will best serve our interest and the interest of our customers.

Be that as it may, we have resolved to place our price a little bit below the industry’s average for the first 3 months of operation so as to enable us attract the loyalty of new customers.

• Our Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, 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 Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, 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 hatched eggs without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When calculating the cost of starting a commercial egg hatchery cum poultry farm business, there are some key factors that should serve as a guide. The number of hatchers in the hatchery 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 chicken egg hatchery 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 startup capital in setting up our chicken egg hatchery business;

• The total fee for incorporating the Business 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 Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC 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 chicken eggs to be hatched – $20,000
• The cost for the purchase of chick feed, medications and crates et al – $10,000
• The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment – $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 $200,000 to start a standard chicken egg hatchery business in the United States of America.

Generating Startup Capital for Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, 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 hatchery cum poultry farm business.

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, LLC is a family business that is solely owned and financed by Boyle Fergusson and his immediate family members. They do not intend to welcome any external business partners which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the startup capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our startup capital;

• Generate part of the startup 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 $50,000 ( Personal savings $40,000 and soft loan from family members $10,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents 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 number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business, then it won’t be too long before the business closes shop.

One of our major goals of starting Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, 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 hatch our eggs a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Boyle Fergusson & Family® Chicken Egg Hatchery, 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 re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

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 hatcheries and 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
• Printing of Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: 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
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – key players in the industry such as small poultry farmers and free range chicken farmers: In Progress

Related Posts:

• Fish Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Tilapia Fish Farm Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Horse Boarding Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Layer Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Abalone Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

How To Start a Profitable Chicken Hatchery Business

A small-scale chicken hatchery is a lucrative business to start. However, the business requires dedication, knowledge, and careful planning to be successful. Here in this article, you will find all the information needed to start a successful chicken hatchery business.

Chicken meat is one of the most popular animal proteins globally. Additionally, it is the fastest-growing component of global meat production. Poultry production in the country has shown a steady increase in the last two decades.

India is the third-largest egg producer after China and USA. And the fourth-largest chicken producer after China, Brazil, and the USA. Furthermore, there are ample scopes for enhancing production. Production is getting more organized and moving ahead of consumption resulting in optimum prices and minimum profits. Compared with the rest of the livestock sector , the poultry industry in India is better organized and is progressing towards modernization.

Table of Contents

10 Steps to Start a Chicken Hatchery Business

1. research and get trained.

Before diving into the world of chicken hatcheries, conduct thorough research on poultry breeds, market demand, and industry regulations. Create a detailed business plan outlining your goals, target market, and financial projections.

The chicken hatchery business demands a specific skill. If you do not have any previous experience try to attend training classes. You can contact your nearby Govt. offices of the Animal Husbandry Department. Generally, they conduct training from time to time.

2. Location Selection

Choose a suitable location for your hatchery. Ensure it has proper ventilation, insulation, and easy access to transportation. A location away from residential areas will help minimize noise disturbances.

Suggested Read:  How To Start Poultry Feed Manufacturing Business

3. Create a Chicken Hatchery Business Project Plan

It is essential to develop a business project plan for your egg hatchery business. This plan document works as a roadmap for the current and future course of company activities. Some of the key aspects the project plan document must address are the following:

• Costs and Investments
• Unique Selling Propositions of Your Chicken Hatchery
• Sourcing plan
• Pricing plan
• Manpower plan
• Operational plan
• How do you plan to sell your chicks to customers?

It is advised to hire a competent business plan writer for documentation. If you are looking for funds from investors, this project plan is going to be the single most important document.

4. Cost of Starting a Chicken Hatchery

The major cost for installing a chicken hatchery production unit is the incubator. The cost of an egg incubator ranges from Rs. 50000 to Rs. 200000 depending upon the number of eggs to be hatched. An overall investment of Rs. 5 lacs to Rs. 10 lacs will be needed to start a small-scale chicken hatchery business excluding space costs.

5. Make your Egg Hatchery Business Legally Compliant

The first step is to register your hatchery business. Depending on the size and scale of the unit, select the most appropriate business structure under which you are going to run the business. It can be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or a private limited company.

Furthermore, talk to a lawyer or a competent local authority and procure the required licenses needed to operate a chicken hatchery unit at the desired location. Do not forget to apply for a GST registration number as it is mandatory for running a business in the country.

6. Chicken Hatchery Setup & Machinery

Establishing a chicken hatchery demands a sufficient area for the operation. You will need to provide the housing for the one-day chicks. In addition, you must provide the space for incubator operation, vaccinations, etc. Ensure an adequate supply of water and electricity. An area of 2000 Sq Ft is perfect for a small-scale hatchery operation.

7. Buy Equipment

You will need to invest in essential hatchery equipment such as incubators, hatchers, brooders, and egg-handling tools. It goes without saying that good quality equipment is crucial for maintaining the right environmental conditions and ensuring successful hatching.

The major machinery list includes:

• Egg Hatcher (Automatic)
• Electric egg tester
• Electric Debeaking
• Egg weighing scale (1-100 gram cap.)
• Feeder, waterer, and brooder
• Misc. items like buckets, trays, baskets, etc.
• Weighing balance
• Air conditioner
• Veterinary clinic instruments/equipment
• Refrigerator

Related:  Top Aquaculture Business Ideas

8. Ensure Proper Incubation

A) egg collection and storage.

Collect eggs daily and store them in a cool, clean, and well-ventilated room. Maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level to prevent premature embryonic development.

b) Incubation Process

Place the eggs in the incubator and monitor temperature and humidity closely. Turn the eggs regularly to ensure even heat distribution. Follow the breed-specific incubation period and conditions for optimal hatching.

c) Candling

Perform regular candling to check the development of embryos. Remove any infertile or damaged eggs to prevent contamination and improve hatch rates.

d) Hatching Chicks

Transfer eggs to the hatcher a few days before hatching. Create a suitable environment with slightly higher humidity. Once chicks start hatching, resist the urge to intervene, as they need time to absorb yolk sacs.

9. Raise Healthy Chicks

A) brooding setup.

Prepare a clean and warm brooding area with proper heating and lighting. Use brooder rings to confine chicks initially. Maintain the right temperature as per the chick’s age.

b) Nutrition and Feeding

Provide a balanced and nutritious starter feed to your chicks. Adequate nutrition is essential for their growth and development. Ensure a constant supply of clean water.

c) Disease Prevention

Implement biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. Quarantine new birds before introducing them to the flock. Consult a veterinarian for vaccination schedules and health checks.

d) Record Keeping

Maintain accurate records of hatch rates, growth patterns, and any health issues. This information will help you track the success of your hatchery and make informed decisions.

10. Have a Marketing Plan

It is essential to create a distinctive brand for your hatchery, including a catchy name and logo. This will help you stand out in the market and attract customers.

You must build a professional website and social media profiles to showcase your hatchery and interact with potential customers. Share informative content about your hatchery’s practices and values.

Furthermore, attend poultry trade shows, fairs, and farmer’s markets to network with other poultry enthusiasts and potential buyers. Building connections can open up opportunities for collaboration and sales.

Do not forget to provide excellent customer service by addressing inquiries promptly and ensuring timely delivery of chicks. Happy customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and recommend your hatchery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chicken hatchery business profitable.

Poultry is today the major source of meat in India. Its share in total meat consumption is 28%, as against 14% ten years ago. However, major growth drivers are high mutton prices, religious restrictions on beef and pork, and the limited availability of fish outside coastal regions.

Additionally, the growth of the poultry sector depends partly on the size of the poultry population and partly on productivity. So there is always a demand for the day-one chicks for layers and broilers. Additionally, poultry farmers always look for quality birds.

Once you establish a reputation, they become your regular customers. Thus we can say a small-scale chicken hatchery unit has enough market opportunity and profit potential.

Can I start a chicken hatchery with limited farming experience?

Yes, you can start a chicken hatchery with proper research and guidance. Consider partnering with experienced poultry breeders to gain insights and knowledge.

How can I maintain the right temperature and humidity during incubation?

Invest in quality incubators with accurate temperature and humidity controls. Regularly monitor and calibrate the equipment to ensure a stable environment.

What breeds of chickens are best for a hatchery business?

Choose breeds that are in demand in your local market. Popular choices include broilers, layers, and heritage breeds known for their unique characteristics.

Is biosecurity really important for a chicken hatchery?

Absolutely. Biosecurity measures are crucial to prevent disease outbreaks that can devastate your hatchery. Implement strict protocols for visitors, equipment, and new birds.

How do I market my hatchery’s products?

Utilize online platforms, attend local events, and leverage word-of-mouth marketing. Highlight the quality of your chicks, your ethical practices, and the benefits of choosing your hatchery.

What is the typical hatchery business timeline from incubation to selling chicks?

The timeline varies based on the breed, but it generally takes about 21 days for chicken eggs to hatch. After hatching, chicks are typically sold around the age of one day to one week.

Next What Business Research Team

The Editorial Staff at NextWhatBusiness is a team of Business Consultants having years of experience in small and medium-scale businesses.

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.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

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.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

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.

Finish Your Poultry Farm Business Plan in 1 Day!

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

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

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?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

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

How to Start a Hatchery Business

What is a hatchery.

A hatchery is a place where fertile eggs are hatched, most particularly on a business basis. It could be referred to as the maternity center where chicks are produced from fertile chicken eggs. Hatchery technology is the technique or method of using incubators to incubate and hatch fertile eggs.

What are the Benefits or Advantages of Hatchery Business?

The hatchery business has a few benefits, and they include:

• It provides income and employment opportunities.
• You don’t need a large space before you can establish an egg or chicken hatchery.
• You can incubate and hatch the eggs of other poultry species like quail, turkey, goose, duck, etc. You’re not limited to chickens alone.
• You’re able to prevent wastages of hatchable eggs.
• You can synchronize your egg hatching schedule in order to have chicks available at the desired periods.

While the hatchery business has its merits, it has some limitations that make it a no-no for most people. These limitations include:

i. High cost of establishment. The machinery, equipment and infrastructure for hatchery are quite expensive. So much capital is required to start the business. ii. Scarcity of spare parts. Getting spare parts to replace damaged parts could be difficult, especially in developing countries. Sometimes, some machines become obsolete and the manufacturers would have stopped further production of such model. iii. Diseases prevalence: Where hatchery-borne diseases are prevalent, the hatchery business will be greatly impacted. This includes the problem of low hatchability rate which leads to financial losses.

Also Read:  Where to Buy Cheap & Efficient Egg Incubators

Steps to Take When Establishing a Hatchery

There are six major steps to take if you’re planning to establish a commercial hatchery. They are:

• Conduct a feasibility study for the project
• Proceed with the land acquisition if no.1 is favorable.
• Construct the required structures and infrastructures
• Procure and install the necessary machines and equipment.
• Design your organizational chart and recruit the hatchery workers
• Procure fertile eggs to start business operations fully.

Feasibility Study for the Hatchery Project

A feasibility study is highly important because it will help you to determine if it is profitable or unprofitable to go ahead with the hatchery project. Other information that the study will provide are:

• The availability or level of demand for day-old chicks (DOC) in such location or area.
• The availability and prices of machines, equipment and other necessary inputs for hatchery operations.
• Existing problems and challenges surrounding the business and how they can be overcome.
• The financial or cost analysis, showing if the project will make a profit or not.

When conducting the feasibility study, endeavor to visit existing hatcheries around to gather important information such as models and prices of incubators, fertile eggs, generators and other necessary equipment. You can also request or places where you can get egg incubators for sale. Also, visit poultry farmers to know where and how they source for their DOC and how it was easy procuring them.

Land Acquisition for the Hatchery Business

Before you acquire the land on which you will be establishing your hatchery, you must consider the size of the proposed hatchery. That is to say; you must know the number of chicks you plan to hatch each week. A big or huge hatchery demands a large piece of land because it needs more structures, infrastructures and offices. There are some things you must consider when choosing the hatchery location and land.

• The hatchery should not be located close to poultry houses or pens to prevent diseases transmission. It is safe to give a minimum distance of 150 meters between a hatchery and poultry far or house.
• The hatchery should not be sited in residential areas to avoid pollution and diseases transmission.
• It should not be located near roads or places where heavy machines or equipment that cause vibration are used. This is because occasional vibrations affect the development of embryos.
• The hatchery should be sited in an area which has good, smooth roads for smooth transportation of eggs and chicks.
• It should not be located on marshy or water-logged land.
• The area should have constant electricity and water supply.

Construction of Hatchery Structures and Infrastructures

After acquiring the most suitable land for the hatchery business, the next step is to build the necessary structures and put in place vital infrastructures. The necessary structures are;

• Incubator house
• Office or administrative buildings
• Equipment store
• Restrooms and bathrooms
• Perimeter fence

The infrastructures are:

• Borehole or well
• Incinerator
• Parking spaces

Procurement and Installations of Machines and Equipment

When the structures are in place, the next step is to buy all necessary machines and equipment which include incubators, generators, air conditioners, fans, egg crates, pumping machines and vehicles. Ensure that experts or professionals install these. You should also patronize genuine dealers or directly from the manufacturers.

Hatchery Staff Recruitment

You need to recruit both technical and administrative workers to handle various operations in the hatchery. The following are needed in a typical commercial hatchery:

• Hatchery manager
• Hatchery supervisors
• Administrative officer
• Technicians
• Hatchery Attendants
• Security guards and gardeners

Procurement of Fertile or Hatchable Eggs

After all the required machines and equipment are in place, the next important step to take is to decide how hatchable eggs will be procured. There are two ways to procure fertile eggs. You can establish a parent stock farm for your hatchery; or buy the eggs directly or indirectly from another parent-stock farm.

Procuring your eggs from the parent-stock farm of the hatchery has its own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:

• The eggs’ quality can be ascertained
• Regular supply of hatchable eggs
• Reduced cost of procuring eggs, hence, hatching cost is reduced
• Cross farm transmission or transfer of diseases is eliminated.

The disadvantages of this procurement method include:

• If the parent-stock farm is not well-managed, the operations or running of the hatchery could be adversely affected.
• High possibility of disease transfer from the parent-stock farm to the hatchery.

Direct purchase of hatchable eggs involves buying from a parent-stock farm directly. The parent-stock farm could even be delivering the eggs directly to the hatchery.

Indirect purchase of eggs could be made via contract. An intermediary will be involved. The middleman links the hatchery with various parent-stock farms, and he is responsible for the supply of the eggs. Before you deal with an intermediary, ensure you conduct adequate research on his trustworthiness and reliability. This is very important.

Signup today and receive free updates straight in your inbox.

We don’t spam! Read our  privacy policy  for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Thank you!

Akinbobola A.

Related Posts

Where to Buy Cheap & Efficient Egg Incubators

List of Popular & Unpopular Hatcheries in Nigeria

5 thoughts on “How to Start a Hatchery Business”

Is it posdible for you to help with a business plan

Good Day, please can you help me on where to get the hatch able eggs.

Reach out to me via this contact page

can I be able to get fertilized eggs especially broiler ones for hatching?

Yes, some breeders sell fertilised eggs

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• Project Managment

How to Create a Comprehensive Hatchery Business Plan

Introduction.

A hatchery business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the goals, strategies, and objectives of a hatchery business. It is a roadmap for the business to follow in order to achieve success. The plan should include a detailed description of the business, its products and services, the target market, the competitive landscape, the financial projections, and the marketing strategy. It should also include a timeline for implementation and a risk management plan. A hatchery business plan is essential for any business that wants to succeed in the hatchery industry. It provides a clear direction and helps to ensure that the business is on track to reach its goals.

Creating a comprehensive hatchery business plan is essential for any entrepreneur looking to start a hatchery. A business plan is a document that outlines the goals, strategies, and financial projections of a business. It serves as a roadmap for the business and helps to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page.

The first step in creating a comprehensive hatchery business plan is to conduct market research. This research should include an analysis of the current market, potential competitors, and customer needs. This research will help to identify potential opportunities and threats in the market.

The next step is to develop a mission statement for the hatchery. This statement should clearly articulate the purpose of the business and the goals that it hopes to achieve. It should also provide a clear vision of the future of the business.

Once the mission statement has been developed, the next step is to create a detailed business plan. This plan should include an executive summary, a description of the business, a market analysis, a competitive analysis, a financial plan, and a marketing plan. The executive summary should provide an overview of the business and its goals. The description of the business should include information about the products and services offered, the target market, and the competitive advantages of the business. The market analysis should include an analysis of the current market, potential competitors, and customer needs. The competitive analysis should include an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the competitors. The financial plan should include a budget, a cash flow statement, and a profit and loss statement. The marketing plan should include a description of the marketing strategies that will be used to reach the target market.

Finally , the business plan should include a risk management plan. This plan should identify potential risks and provide strategies for mitigating those risks.

Creating a comprehensive hatchery business plan is essential for any entrepreneur looking to start a hatchery. It will provide a roadmap for the business and help to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page. By conducting market research, developing a mission statement, creating a detailed business plan, and developing a risk management plan, entrepreneurs can create a comprehensive hatchery business plan that will help them to achieve their goals.

The Benefits of Starting a Hatchery Business

Starting a hatchery business can be a rewarding and profitable venture. Hatcheries provide a valuable service to the agricultural industry by supplying farmers with high-quality, disease-free poultry and eggs. By starting a hatchery business, entrepreneurs can enjoy a number of benefits, including:

1. Financial Rewards : Hatcheries can be a lucrative business venture. With the right business plan and marketing strategy, hatcheries can generate significant profits.

2. Job Creation : Starting a hatchery business can create jobs in the local community. This can help to stimulate the local economy and provide employment opportunities for people in the area.

3. Environmental Benefits : Hatcheries can help to reduce the environmental impact of poultry farming. By providing disease-free poultry and eggs, hatcheries can help to reduce the spread of disease and improve the health of poultry flocks.

4. Improved Animal Welfare : Hatcheries can help to improve the welfare of poultry by providing healthy, disease-free birds and eggs. This can help to reduce the suffering of poultry and improve their quality of life.

5. Increased Food Security : Hatcheries can help to increase food security by providing a reliable source of poultry and eggs. This can help to ensure that farmers have access to high-quality poultry and eggs, which can help to improve the quality of food available to consumers.

Starting a hatchery business can be a rewarding and profitable venture. By taking advantage of the benefits outlined above, entrepreneurs can enjoy a successful and profitable business.

What You Need to Know Before Investing in a Hatchery Business

Before investing in a hatchery business, it is important to understand the risks and rewards associated with this type of venture. Investing in a hatchery business can be a lucrative endeavor, but it is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls and challenges that may arise.

First , it is important to understand the costs associated with starting a hatchery business. This includes the cost of purchasing the necessary equipment, such as incubators, brooders, and hatchers, as well as the cost of obtaining the necessary permits and licenses. Additionally, the cost of feed, bedding, and other supplies must be taken into consideration.

Second , it is important to understand the market for the hatchery business. This includes researching the local market for potential customers, as well as understanding the competition in the area. Additionally, it is important to understand the regulations and laws that govern the hatchery business in the area.

Third , it is important to understand the risks associated with the hatchery business. This includes the risk of disease, the risk of theft, and the risk of financial losses due to unexpected costs. Additionally, it is important to understand the potential for liability in the event of an accident or injury.

Finally , it is important to understand the potential rewards associated with the hatchery business. This includes the potential for profit, as well as the potential for growth and expansion. Additionally, it is important to understand the potential for long-term success and sustainability.

By understanding the risks and rewards associated with a hatchery business, investors can make an informed decision about whether or not to invest in this type of venture. It is important to do thorough research and to consult with experts in the field before making any decisions.

The Pros and Cons of Different Hatchery Business Models

The hatchery business model is an important part of the poultry industry, providing a reliable source of chicks for farmers and other poultry producers. There are several different hatchery business models, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the pros and cons of each model can help hatchery owners make the best decision for their business.

The first hatchery business model is the traditional hatchery. This model involves the hatchery owner purchasing eggs from a breeder, incubating them, and then selling the chicks to customers. The main advantage of this model is that it is relatively low-cost to set up and maintain. Additionally, the hatchery owner has complete control over the quality of the chicks they produce. The main disadvantage of this model is that it requires a significant amount of time and effort to manage the incubation process.

The second hatchery business model is the contract hatchery. This model involves the hatchery owner entering into a contract with a breeder to purchase eggs and then incubate and sell the chicks. The main advantage of this model is that it eliminates the need for the hatchery owner to manage the incubation process, as the breeder takes care of this. Additionally, the hatchery owner can benefit from the breeder’s expertise in selecting the best eggs for incubation. The main disadvantage of this model is that the hatchery owner has less control over the quality of the chicks they produce, as they are relying on the breeder’s selection.

The third hatchery business model is the franchise hatchery. This model involves the hatchery owner entering into a franchise agreement with a larger hatchery. The main advantage of this model is that the hatchery owner can benefit from the larger hatchery’s expertise and resources. Additionally, the hatchery owner can benefit from the larger hatchery’s established customer base. The main disadvantage of this model is that the hatchery owner is subject to the terms of the franchise agreement, which may limit their ability to make decisions about their business.

In conclusion , there are several different hatchery business models, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the pros and cons of each model can help hatchery owners make the best decision for their business.

How to Market Your Hatchery Business for Maximum Profitability

Marketing your hatchery business for maximum profitability requires a comprehensive strategy that includes both traditional and digital marketing tactics. By leveraging the right mix of marketing tactics, you can reach your target audience, build brand awareness, and increase sales.

1. Develop a Brand Identity : Establishing a strong brand identity is essential for any business. Develop a logo, slogan, and other visual elements that will help customers recognize your hatchery business.

2. Utilize Traditional Marketing Tactics : Traditional marketing tactics such as print advertising, direct mail, and radio and television commercials can be effective in reaching your target audience.

3. Leverage Digital Marketing : Digital marketing tactics such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and social media marketing can help you reach a larger audience and build brand awareness.

4. Create a Website : Having a website is essential for any business. Your website should include information about your hatchery business, products, and services.

5. Develop an Email Marketing Strategy : Email marketing is an effective way to reach your target audience and build relationships with customers. Develop an email marketing strategy that includes newsletters, promotional offers, and other content.

6. Participate in Local Events : Participating in local events such as farmers markets, festivals, and trade shows can help you reach potential customers and build relationships with the local community.

7. Offer Promotions and Discounts : Offering promotions and discounts can help you attract new customers and increase sales.

By implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes both traditional and digital marketing tactics, you can reach your target audience, build brand awareness, and increase sales. With the right mix of marketing tactics, you can maximize the profitability of your hatchery business.

Strategies for Managing the Financials of a Hatchery Business

1. Establish a Budget : Establishing a budget is essential for any business, and a hatchery business is no exception. A budget should include all expenses related to the hatchery, such as feed, supplies, labor, and overhead. It should also include a plan for how the business will generate revenue, such as through sales of eggs, chicks, and other products.

2. Track Expenses : Keeping track of expenses is essential for any business, and a hatchery business is no exception. Tracking expenses will help you identify areas where you can save money and ensure that you are not overspending.

3. Monitor Cash Flow : Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and a hatchery business is no exception. Monitoring cash flow will help you identify areas where you can improve efficiency and ensure that you have enough money to cover expenses.

4. Utilize Technology : Technology can be a great asset for any business, and a hatchery business is no exception. Utilizing technology can help you streamline processes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.

5. Invest in Quality Supplies : Investing in quality supplies is essential for any business, and a hatchery business is no exception. Quality supplies will help ensure that your hatchery is producing healthy chicks and eggs, which will help you generate more revenue.

6. Develop a Marketing Plan : Developing a marketing plan is essential for any business, and a hatchery business is no exception. A marketing plan should include strategies for reaching potential customers, such as through social media, advertising, and other methods.

7. Seek Professional Advice : Seeking professional advice is essential for any business, and a hatchery business is no exception. Professional advice can help you identify areas where you can improve efficiency and profitability.

• Chicken Egg Hatchery Business Plan [Sample Template for 2023 …
• Starting a Hatchery Business
• business plan for the northeast – pastured poultry association

• Previous How to Secure Financing for Your Hard Cider Business Plan
• Next How to Create a Comprehensive Hay Farm Business Plan

Project Management For Engineering Business And Technology 5th Ed

Project Monitoring And Control In Software Project Management

How to develop a comprehensive business plan for a 7 bbl brewery.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Sample Page

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Pets and Animals
• Bird Breeds

Everything You Need to Know to Create a Profitable Poultry Farm

Last Updated: March 20, 2024 Fact Checked

• Choosing a Farm Type
• Establishing the Farm
• Caring for Chickens
• Growing Your Farm

Expert Interview

This article was co-authored by Alexandra Doss and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA . Alexandra Doss is a Poultry & Livestock Expert expert based in Ruskin, Florida. She owns and manages Stellar Game Birds, Poultry, Waterfowl LLC, a selective breeding operation with game birds, poultry, and waterfowl. With over 14 years of experience, she produces strong genetics and health in her hatching eggs, eating eggs, and live birds. The farm is FWC game farm licensed, FDAC licensed for quail, chicken, and duck eating eggs and meat, and NPIP certified. She is known as the Quail Lady and has published several books on raising Coturnix. Her work has been featured in Mother Earth News, Backyard Poultry, Grit, The Chicken Whisperer Magazine, and Community Chickens. She also has a career as a Workforce Management Supervisor and has a certificate in project ​​management. She received a BS from Oregon State in Animal Sciences. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,743,998 times.

Running a chicken farm requires more than just agricultural know-how. If you want to be a chicken farmer, you must also think like a business person while growing your brand. Choosing a focus, establishing a brand, raising your chickens, and building your business are all part of chicken farming. Then, as your farm grows, you'll be able to market, finance, and network to grow your business. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to start a successful chicken farm business.

Quick Steps to Start a Chicken Farm

• Decide if you want an egg- or meat-production farm and choose the best chicken breeds for your focus.
• Buy the land for your farm and purchase supplies like coops, brooders, and feeders. Apply for a loan if necessary.
• Market your farm by creating a website, making ads, and attending agriculture conferences to network.

Choosing a Focus, Breed, and Location

• Although less common, some chicken farms handle both meat production and egg-laying. If you choose this option, it may require twice as much equipment and physical labor.
• Studies show that eggs from chickens raised in good environments have double or triple the omega-3 fatty acid content and a third of the cholesterol as other eggs. By creating an egg-laying farm, you can assure your customers that they weren’t fed or exposed to unhealthy chemicals. [2] X Research source

• Broiler farms typically grow between 4 and 8 flocks a year, depending on the size of the chickens.
• Large chickens are typically processed into value-added products like chicken patties and chicken fingers. Medium-sized chickens are often packaged as boneless breasts or whole rotisserie chickens. Small chickens are often sold as fast food products. [4] X Research source

• Egg or meat processing: Processing poultry products for taste, quality, and safety
• Marketing poultry products: Promoting poultry products through advertisements to increase revenue
• Chicken breeding: Raising, breeding , and selling chickens for pet owners or other farmers

• If you want to start an egg-laying farm, for example, you may want to choose a layer breed like Rhode Island Red, Hamburg, or Sussex chickens. [7] X Research source
• Some good broiler breeds include the Cornish Cross, Bréese, Buckeye, and Delaware chickens. [8] X Research source
• You can find a list of popular chicken breeds and their specialties at https://chickenbreedslist.com/ .

• The further you move from your city or town, the cheaper the land will be.
• If you can't find land near the city limits, look for land in the countryside where you'll have plenty of space to farm.
• Poultry expert Alexandra Doss recommends that you “have at least an acre or so” of land for a chicken farm, but “a quarter of an acre is fine for a few chickens, too.”

Establishing Your Chicken Farm

• If you choose agriculture or poultry science, add a business minor (or vice-versa) to take classes on marketing, leadership, and other relevant topics.
• Get your degree online if you don't have time for a traditional four-year degree.
• Other ways to learn about poultry farming include taking a training course or consulting an established farmer for advice and mentorship.

• If you’re starting a farm in the United States, consider applying for an LLC, which has many benefits for startups.

• If you're running a meat productions farm, for example, you could include your plans for raising and butchering chickens, revenue goals or the first year, and plans for marketing your poultry products in stores.
• Business plans are useful for attracting investors or business partners down the road.

• Bring a business outline, evidence of your credit history, pay stubs, and anything else requested by the bank to your meeting.
• Start with a loan for the minimum amount of equipment and chickens for your farm. You can always get a larger loan as your business grows.

• Lighting instruments
• Waterers or heaters
• Waste disposal system

• Start with a small farm so you don't have to pay workers until your chicken farm business is successful.
• If you need to hire more workers, try to hire those with years of experience in poultry farming for better stability. You’ll also likely need an administrative manager to keep an eye on daily business.

Raising and Caring for Chickens

• Extensive: A cost-effective system in which your chickens roam freely on the ground and just have a shelter.
• Semi-intensive: In this system, you’ll breed half your chickens in cages and the other half will roam freely on the ground. This system protects the chickens from predators and bad weather.
• Deep-litter: This system is best for broilers. The chickens can move freely on the ground made of straw, sawdust, and leaves. This system allows you to easily feed them and reach their eggs without unnecessary hurdles.
• Slatted or wired: This system includes creating small houses with wooden slats or wired mesh flooring. The slats are 4 feet above the ground and you can easily feed the chickens and collect eggs . This is ideal for adult birds as the houses have a low temperature.
• Battery-caged: In this system, you’ll place the birds in metal cages and separate them into groups. Each cage has its own food and water containers and provides nests for the chickens to lay eggs in. This is the most effective system for egg production, but it may be too expensive for a new business.
• Build the chicken coop or cage at about 4 sq ft (0.37 m 2 ) per chicken. [17] X Research source
• Clean the chicken coop or cage regularly to prevent the chickens from spreading diseases.

• When buying chicks, always do some research beforehand to make sure the breeder is dependable. You don’t want to invest a ton of money on chicks just to discover they’re sick or malnourished.
• Make sure you have the brooder ready before buying and stocking the chicks.

• You can also give chickens corn, halved grapes, or cabbage as a treat, but avoid feeding them these treats more than several times a week as it's less healthy than chicken feed. [19] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
• Nearly 70% of your production cost comes from supplying poultry feed.
• As you become more experienced, consider learning how to prepare your own feed . Until then, buying it from the market is fine.
• If your chickens aren’t fed properly, they’ll produce fewer eggs and become susceptible to various diseases.
• If you use ingredients like maize, ensure the moisture content is never above 10-11%, as this may lead to fungus. To prevent this, purchase your feed from a reliable company.

• As there is currently no effective treatment for poultry diseases, vaccinate your chickens to keep the diseases from spreading. Some common vaccines include RDV, Fowl Pox, Cholera, and Mycoplasma. Consult with your vet to get your chickens vaccinated.
• Not all vets have experience working with chickens, so locate a poultry vet ahead of time. [22] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source

Growing Your Poultry Farm

• If you notice that you're spending too much on chicken feed, for example, shop around with different suppliers to find cheaper feed.
• You can also hire an accountant or financial advisor to keep your records organized for you.

• Creating a logo for your business can also provide visibility for your brand. Make sure it aligns with your business (for example, you could never go wrong with incorporating a chicken into your logo) and put it on your website and business cards.
• If you don’t have a large budget, however, don’t splurge on a logo when you can invest your money into your actual business.
• Make use of social media, as well. Consider making a Facebook, Instagram, and even a TikTok account to spread the word about your business. Be sure to post regularly!

• Connect with your friends and neighbors, too. Even if they’re not farmers themselves, they may know people who are interested in buying from you or investing in your business.

• If you're running a chicken breeding farm, for example, you may want a loan to buy better egg incubators.

Community Q&A

• If you're not up for starting a chicken farm from scratch, you can also invest in or buy an existing franchise instead. [26] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Research methods that successful chicken farms use as a guide for your business. Popular poultry farms include Cargill Meat Solutions, Hormel Foods Corp, Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and Smithfield Foods. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling chickens. Live poultry often carry salmonella. [27] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about poultry, check out our in-depth interview with Alexandra Doss .

• ↑ https://survivallife.com/what-advantages-chicken-farming/
• ↑ https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/many-benefits-backyard-chickens
• ↑ https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/new-farmers-guide-to-the-commercial-broiler-industry-poultry-husbandry-biosecurity-basics/
• ↑ https://www.poultry.care/blog/how-to-start-a-successful-poultry-care-farming-business
• ↑ https://www.fao.org/poultry-production-products/production/poultry-species/chickens/en/
• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/234/69325/Chicken_Breed_Chart_to_Help_Choose_Your_Chicken.pdf
• ↑ https://animal-world.com/best-meat-chicken-breeds/
• ↑ https://withmydegree.org/can-degree-agriculture/
• ↑ https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan
• ↑ https://chickenscage.com/news/how-much-does-the-poultry-farm-equipment-cost.html
• ↑ https://www.fao.org/poultry-production-products/production/management-and-housing/en/
• ↑ https://grubblyfarms.com/blogs/the-flyer/how-big-of-a-coop-do-i-need
• ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/adopting-and-caring-backyard-chickens
• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/decreasing-daylight-and-its-effect-on-laying-hens
• ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g8903
• ↑ https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/what-kind-of-records-should-i-keep
• ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/how-to-apply-small-business-loan
• ↑ https://www.fao.org/poultry-production-products/production/poultry-species/en/
• ↑ https://www.investors.com/promoted-content/franshares/how-to-generate-passive-income-through-franchise-investing/
• ↑ https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/animal/backyard.html

About This Article

To start a chicken farm business, decide if you want to focus on eggs, meat production, or another specialty niche, then obtain the necessary equipment. Next, choose a chicken breed that matches your farming goals and set up coops or cages to keep them in. Feed and care for your chickens daily and be sure to separate any chickens that seem ill from the rest of the population. Don't forget to market your business by creating a website and advertisements! For more tips on choosing the best breed for your goals, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

S. Simelane

Aug 24, 2017

Did this article help you?

Usman Kehinde

Aug 25, 2017

Robert Leggett

Feb 6, 2018

Pamela Spalani

Jun 23, 2016

Nikky Adetokun

Mar 9, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

404 Not found

• 844-330-6373
• Combo Subscription
• 0 ITEMS  

HOBBY FARMS

How to start a custom hatching business, like hatching chicks but not looking to increase your flock size you can start a custom-hatching business to raise your own chicks from the first crack., why custom hatching, hatch a plan, protect your orders.

• mastering the operation and maintenance instructions for your incubator
• selecting clean eggs to hatch
• avoiding handling the eggs once incubation begins

Managing Extras

The custom contract, getting in gear.

• Temperature Gauge. Hatching eggs need to be kept at specific, constant temperatures in order to ensure proper development. Look for an incubator that has an easy-to-read temperature gauge (we prefer digital) and, even better, an alarm that alerts you to unexpected changes in temperature.
• Hygrometer. This is simply a humidity gauge. Incorrect and inconsistent humidity levels are a frequent cause of poor hatches. An incubator equipped with a hygrometer will save you heartache and headaches come hatching day.
• Egg Turner. Incubating eggs need to be turned several times a day to prevent the developing embryo from “sticking” to one side of the shell. Broody hens instinctively turn their clutches multiple times per day. You can turn your eggs by hand if you wish, but a built-in egg turner is a true time-saver. Make sure your incubator’s egg turner can be turned off for the final few days of incubation.
• Adjustable Interior . Egg sizes vary from teeny Serama eggs to hefty Orpington eggs. You’ll therefore want to select an incubator that adjusts to accommodate eggs of different sizes. This allows your custom hatching eggs to be snugly held in place instead of rattling around and potentially cracking.
• Generous Capacity. You may not need to hatch 28 or 42 eggs—or more—for your customers. You may not even offer that size hatch. It’s good, however, to keep your options open, especially as your business grows. Buying a tiny 10-egg incubator means limiting your growth potential without incurring further expense.
• Litter.   From shredded paper to wood shavings, make sure some sort of absorbent (and preferably compostable) lines the bottom of your brooder.
• Litter Liner.  Top off your litter with a rough-surfaced sheet of paper towels, gripping shelf liner, or some other nonslick cover to provide the newly hatched chicks with a supportive, nonslip surface to help strengthen their little legs.
• Thermometer.  Newly hatched chicks need to be kept at a constant temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. A thermometer mounted close to floor level inside the brooder will let you know that the temperature level is just right for the babies.
• Heat Source.   Many safe options exist for providing heat in a coop, but these don’t necessarily work as well on a cardboard or plastic surface. Whatever heat source you choose, verify that it is correctly installed to reduce any risk of fire.
• Chick Feeder & Waterer.   While your customers should be picking up their chicks before the babies need food and water, it’s best to be prepared in case their stay is prolonged. Make sure to buy a feeder that allows each baby to access food simultaneously. The chick waterer should be shallow enough to allow them to drink without the risk of drowning.

Chick Starter

Spare cartons.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Previous Article
• Next Article

Agri Business

• Agri Insurance

Agriculture

Aquaculture

• Farm Machinery
• Feed Management
• Horticulture

Livestock Farming

• Modern Farming

Organic Farming

• Pests and Diseases
• Plant Nutrition
• Poultry Farming

Project Reports

• Schemes/Subsidies/Loans
• Success Stories
• Agriculture News

How to Start a Chicken Hatchery Business: A Profitable Idea for Poultry Farmers

Table of contents, what is the process involved in a chicken hatchery business, determine your market, choose a location, purchase equipment, purchase eggs, incubate the eggs, care for the baby chickens, market your business, how much does it cost to start a chicken hatchery business, how profitable is a chicken hatchery, what do i need to start a chicken hatchery.

Starting a chicken hatchery business can be a profitable venture for those who are interested in poultry farming. Hatcheries are responsible for hatching eggs and raising chicks until they are ready to be sold as either meat or egg-producing chickens. Below you learn a chicken hatchery business plan, how to start a chicken hatchery, the costs involved, the poultry hatchery process, and a step-by-step guide to starting your own chicken hatchery business.

How to Start a Chicken Hatchery Business

A chicken hatchery is a facility responsible for hatching chicken eggs and raising them until they are ready to be sold to farmers or directly to consumers. Hatching chickens involves several steps, from purchasing eggs to caring for the chickens until they are ready to be sold. The first step in the chicken hatchery process is to purchase high-quality eggs from a reliable source.

The eggs are then inspected to ensure they are free from diseases or defects. The eggs are then put in an incubator, a machine that controls the temperature and acts like a hen sitting on her eggs. Once the eggs are in the incubator, they must be monitored carefully to ensure the correct temperature and humidity levels.

The eggs must also be turned several times daily to ensure that the developing chicken does not stick to the shell’s inside. After approximately 21 days, the chickens will hatch from their eggs and need to be cared for until they are ready to be sold. This involves providing them with food, water, and a clean and comfortable living environment. The chickens will also need to be monitored for any signs of diseases, and necessary medical treatment must be provided.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Starting Your Own Chicken Hatchery Business

The first step in starting a chicken hatchery business is determining your market. Who will be your customers? Will you be selling to other farmers or directly to consumers? Once you have identified your market, you can determine what types of chickens you will need to hatch.

When choosing a location for your hatchery, there are several factors to consider. The location should be easily accessible to your customers and have access to water and electricity. You must also ensure the location is large enough to accommodate your equipment and the number of chickens you plan to hatch.

To start a chicken hatchery business, you must purchase several pieces of equipment. This includes an incubator, hatchery trays, brooders, chicken feeders, and waterers. You may also need to purchase a generator in case of power outages.

Once you have your equipment, you must purchase eggs from a reliable source. It is important to ensure that the eggs are of high quality and free from diseases. You may need to purchase an egg candler to check the quality of the eggs before incubation.

Once you have purchased your eggs, you must incubate them in your hatchery. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your incubator and ensure the correct temperature and humidity levels. You will need to turn the eggs several times daily to ensure the baby chickens develop properly.

In case you missed it: Space Required for Chicken Farming: For 500, 1000, 5000, and 10000 Birds

Once the baby chickens have hatched, you must care for them until they are ready to be sold. This includes providing them with food and water and ensuring their clean and comfortable living environment. You must also monitor their health and provide any necessary medical treatment.

To succeed in the chicken hatchery business, you must market your business effectively. This includes creating a website and social media presence, attending local farmers’ markets and poultry shows, and advertising in local newspapers and magazines. You can also offer discounts to repeat customers and provide excellent customer service to build a loyal customer base.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Hatchery Business

The cost of starting a chicken hatchery business can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the hatchery, the type of equipment needed, and the number of chickens you plan to hatch. On average, starting a small-scale chicken hatchery can range from $10,000 to $50,000. This includes purchasing an incubator, hatchery trays, brooders, chicken feeders, and waterers.

Other costs include purchasing eggs, building or renting a facility, and marketing the business. Creating a detailed business plan and budget is important to determine the exact costs of starting your chicken hatchery business.

The profitability of a chicken hatchery business can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the operation, the cost of feed and equipment, and the demand for chickens in the local market. However, a chicken hatchery can be highly profitable if managed correctly. The demand for chickens and eggs is high, and a well-managed hatchery can produce high-quality chickens that are in demand by local farmers and consumers.

Additionally, the costs associated with running a chicken hatchery are relatively low compared to other agricultural businesses, making it an attractive option for those looking to start a profitable farming venture. With proper planning, management, and marketing, a chicken hatchery can be profitable and sustainable, providing valuable service to the local community.

To start a chicken hatchery, you will need several equipment, including an incubator, hatchery trays, brooders, and baby chicken feeders and waterers. You will also need a reliable source of high-quality eggs and a location for your hatchery that is easily accessible to your customers and has access to water and electricity.

In case you missed it: 45 Days Chicken Business Plan: A Poultry Guide for Beginners

Additionally, you must have knowledge and experience in poultry farming and care to ensure that the baby chickens develop properly and are healthy. Marketing your business effectively, providing excellent customer service, and building a loyal customer base are important factors for success in the chicken hatchery business.

In conclusion, starting a chicken hatchery business can be profitable for those interested in poultry farming. By following these steps, you can start a successful chicken hatchery business and become a leader in the poultry industry. With careful planning, dedication, and hard work, you can build a successful business that provides high-quality baby chickens to your customers.

• Feed Your Flock for Less: Top 10 Tips to Save on Chicken Feed
• Ultimate Guide to Ossabaw Island Hog: Breeding, Raising, Diet, and Care
• Hatching Answers: The Top 10 Reasons Your Chickens Aren’t Laying Eggs
• Eggs and Economics: Breaking Down the Cost of Raising Backyard Chickens
• Defend Your Greens: Proven Methods to Keep Iguanas Out of Your Garden
• Ultimate Guide to Cinnamon Queen Chicken: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
• Ultimate Guide to California Tan Chicken: Breeding, Raising, Diet, Egg-Production and Care
• Ultimate Guide to Marsh Daisy Chicken: Breeding, Raising, Diet, and Care
• 10 Types of Chicken Farming Businesses You Can Start for Profits
• Related Topics

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment.

Benefits of Neem Oil for Houseplants: Spray Recipe, How to Use, and...

A comprehensive guide on how to identify and treat root rot in..., how to apply for crop insurance in telangana, sustainable waste management in chicken farming: optimal conditions explained, when to plant vegetables in washington: growing calendar for eastern and western..., 20 tips to plan for winter grazing, jade plant propagation: from stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, division, and offsets, niger cultivation practices: a step-by-step guide, top 15 high-demand medicinal mushroom varieties to grow for excellent profits, best practices to grow broccoli organically: broccoli organic farming methods, from coops to eggs: discover the best beginner chicken breeds, how to grow and care for bergamot orange tree: planting instructions, frequently asked questions about black pepper farming, top 5 government greenhouse/polyhouse farming subsidy schemes in india, when to plant vegetables in west virginia: growing calendar for northern and..., how to grow and care for organic pennyroyal/mentha pulegium: planting to harvest, frequently asked questions about cardamom farming, types of herbs you can grow from cuttings: explained in simple steps, fertilizing potted curry leaf plant: organic, natural, homemade, npk ratio, when and..., sucking pest control in cotton crop, how to prevent pineapple fruit rot naturally: best ways to control with natural and organic treatment, frequently asked questions about growing lemongrass from seed to harvest, community-supported agriculture (csa): benefits and role of farmers, east georgia vegetable planting calendar: gardening in different seasons and month-wise schedule, a natural solution: discover the benefits of livestock manure in agriculture, from seed to harvest: the process of lemongrass contract farming explained.

• Privacy & Terms

© Copyright 2024, AgriculturalMagazine | All Rights Reserved.

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.

Related posts

• March 8, 2024

Best Mastermind Groups & Mastermind Pro Tips (2024) 

• March 5, 2024

How to Start a $500K/Year Candle Business

• February 29, 2024

Best Franchise Under $100K (2024)

Join the discussion cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

2 thoughts on “How to Start a 7-Figure Poultry Farm (2024)”

Hello everybody. I’m from Kharkov Ukraine. After Putin spoke about nuclear weapons and a wave of missile attacks began in Ukraine, a difficult situation developed. My wife and I have a small project in the field of agriculture. We support the economy and business of Ukraine. We would like to ask for your support. We will be grateful for any help. Thank you.

https://fdrecipe.com/en/support

Discover the latest trends in poultry breeding and genetics in Pakistan with Poultrybaba.com. https://poultrybaba.com/blogs/the-amount-of-calcium-in-milk

Compare listings

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.

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

• JOIN BIZNA CLUB
• AGRIBUSINESS
• SAVINGS & INVESTMENT
• REAL ESTATE
• PAID CONTENT

What you need to know before starting a chicken hatchery business

Chicken hatchery business is more than the ordinary raising of chicken. It basically entails the regular production and supply of day old chicks by artificial incubation.

With chicken hatchery business, there can be variations in the nature of the hatcheries such that it may be part of a breeding farm, an arrangement where day old chicks and parent stocks are produced or where the breeding stock is not maintained but eggs are purchased to produce day old chicks.

A vibrant parent stork that supplies the eggs for hatching has to be maintained if eggs are not going to be purchased.

Young chicks that are not going to be sold must be considered as well as adult chicken that go broody. Other poultry species such as ducks, turkeys, guinea fowl, quails and pigeons can also be integrated into the hatchery.

Planning the chicken hatchery business

You will need a licence to operate a hatchery. This licence can be obtained from the Veterinary Department. It is issued after the department is satisfied that the premises meet all phytosanitary requirements and do not expose humans and the environment to pollution and health hazards.

Although this chicken hatchery business project does not fall within the control of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) it will be important to have a good environmental management plan to ensure that the waste produced from the hatcheries does not affect the local population.

Scale of operation

The turnover rate for your chicken hatchery business should be the basic concern because it determines the finances required to set up and run the business.

The size of the perceived poultry market, whether local, external or a combination is a good indicator on the size of the chicken hatchery business to be set up.

For the local market you need to investigate the following in order to determine the demand and therefore the appropriate size of your chicken hatchery business:

• The local chicken or poultry population
• The number of chicken or poultry farms within the locality
• Chicken or poultry varieties
• Number of chicks produced per month
• Required number of eggs to produce the chicks
• The number of batches and number of eggs hatching each batch
• The size of incubators and hatching house area

Site selection

You need to look for the following when selecting a site for the chicken hatchery business:

• A ground that is well drained and preferably a high ground
• Good infrastructure such as roads for transportation, electricity and water system
• Peaceful and clean environment with plenty of fresh air. Polluting environments such as heavy traffic, slaughter houses, poultry keeping farms, mining areas, chemical plants can affect the embryo. Check that the prevailing winds do not carry poultry debris from other farms into the hatchery.
• The building for your chicken hatchery business should be located at least 150m away from the nearest poultry house and should have its own entrance and exit separate from the parent stock house.

The design and construction must take into account the sanitation, control of temperature, humidity and diseases. Use appropriate building materials to prevent leaks and draughts.

The floor should be flat, smooth and easy to clean and the height from floor to ceiling should be about 3.4 to 3.8m. Because of the necessity for regular washing and disinfection the inside walls should be covered by hard non-absorbent finish and tiles are preferred.

In order to minimize the risk of disease transmission between eggs and chicks, arrange the personnel and egg flow such that there is minimum or no back tracking by staff.

Caroline Oloo: What I learnt after investing Sh. 180,000 in chicken farming

Separate the personnel who work in the hatchery from those working in the breeder farm.

The building should provide rooms for

• Holding eggs prior to setting
• Grading and traying of eggs
• Incubation and hatching machines
• Chick sexing
• Grading and holding prior to sales
• Additional rooms for cleaning of equipment, fumigation and washing of staff

A simple chicken hatchery business layout

Required equipment

• Egg setting equipment
• Egg transfer equipment
• Chick handling and washing equipment
• Climate control equipment

Where the heating system uses electricity it is important to install a standby generator in cases of power failure. Power failure causes failure of temperature and humidity system.

Place a cock for every 10 hens in a separate building. Provide laying nests and other equipment necessary for production.

Poultry operations pose high risks of disease transmissions which at times can become epidemics of high proportions. Health and sanitary precautions must therefore be strictly adhered to for your chicken hatchery business to succeed.

You must design and implement an effective and comprehensive health and safety programs that comply with international standards. The following sanitary procedures are recommended:

• Ensure that eggs for hatching are free from diseases if they have to be purchased.
• Fumigate all purchased eggs immediately
• Wash and disinfect all setting and hatching trays, the incubator and hatcher rooms, and all rooms in the hatchery after every hatch.
• Dispose hatchery debris by burning in specially constructed facilities or burying deeply.
• Attendants and visitors must be clean and disinfected before proceeding into the hatchery.

Other than for your own chicken hatchery business, it is a requirement that the following records are properly kept.

• Name and address of flock owner of all eggs received
• Number of eggs and date received
• The number of all hatching eggs and date received
• The number of all baby chicks sold and flock origin,
• Date, name and address of purchaser
• Flock inspection and test results

Hatchery operations

• Store eggs in plastic egg trays at room temperature and 75% relative humidity.
• Do not store eggs for long before setting because they lose moisture through evaporation and therefore hatchability.
• Line egg cases with plastic to prevent evaporation if eggs must stay long before setting.
• Attach a record card to indicate the source of eggs, type and date of setting
• If the eggs are dirty they should be cleaned by washing in hot water with disinfectants such as Dettol. However washing increases the chances of infection and should be discouraged. Alternatively they should be fumigated prior to setting using formaldehyde.
• Warm the eggs to room temperature 6 hours before setting.
• Sort and grade the eggs before placing them in the incubator. Remove all broken, oversized, undersized or shapeless eggs.
• Place the eggs in clean trays and warm them to 37.5 o C
• Warm the incubator to 36.5 – 37.5 o C then carefully arrange the eggs in hatching trays. Set the eggs at an angle of 45 o with the narrow end pointing down
• Maintain humidity at 70 – 80%
• Read the thermometer every 6 – 8 hours and adjust the heat accordingly whenever the thermometer reading falls below 36.5 o C or rises above 37.5 o C.
• Turn the eggs every 6 – 8 hours and continue doing this up to day 18.
• Check the temperature every time you turn the eggs and adjust the heat accordingly.
• Candle the eggs on day 7 and 14 to ensure you don’t have infertile or those eggs with dead embryos.
• Remove and dispose off all broken, infertile and spoilt eggs
• On day 19 transfer eggs from the incubator to the hatcher.
• Increase moisture to soften the eggs and help the chicks emerge.
• Chicks start to come out on day 20. Do not keep for long chicks that hatch early. Remove them from the hatcher and process them so that they can be delivered within 12 hours.
• Most of the chicks will have hatched on day 21.
• 20.  Chicks dry within 30 – 45 minutes after they come out from their shells. Remove them immediately from the incubator after they are dry to prevent them from overheating.
• The day old chicks are now ready for sale or brooding
• Remove the egg shells, dead chicks and spoilt eggs from the hatching trays then clean and disinfect the incubator for the next batch of eggs.

Handling chicks

• Assemble the chick boxes before pulling the chicks from the hatchers.
• Pull out the trays one at a time
• Remove and count the healthy chicks as they are placed into the chick boxes.
• Leave the poor quality chicks in the trays and dispose them off with empty shells, unhatched eggs and hatchery debris.
• Allow the chicks to stand in the chick boxes for 4 – 5 hours to let them harden.
• Keep a record of total saleable chicks and hatches each day
• Separate the cockerels and pullets at hatching time.
• Sexing can be done in three ways i.e. color, feather or vent sexing.

Vaccination

• Vaccinate against Marek’s Disease and New Castle Disease on day one.
• If the chicks are meant for broilers debeak them on day one.
• Debeaking can be done by cold method through a cold knife or scissors by the hot method through a debeaking machine with a hot blade.

Transportation

• Transfer chicks ready for delivery into chick holding rooms.
• Record the breed, fertility, hatchability, number of saleable chicks, percent hatch and culls before the chicks leave the hatchery.
• Give customers adequate information about breed, expected performance and vaccination record of chicks they purchase in a small written guide.

Connect With Us

Latest stories, eunice jepkirui: important farming tips every poultry farmer should know, semi-arid lands are the next food basket, says young graduate who quit job for farming, i started farming when covid closed my business, now i make a fortune from exports, kenyan man with over 1,000 cattle in botswana, selling each for sh400,000, inside nyandarua farm with 250 dairy cows producing 60,000 litres on cheap feed, how subukia farmer is reaping big from fish farming, benard muhia: i invested in farming after losing my savings in pyramid schemes, christine miyogo: pig business is capital intensive and takes time before breaking even, kiambu farmer making sh6.7 million from 158 dairy cows.

Very educative piece. Want to get serious with poultry business

Comments are closed.

Related Stories

Bizna Digital Services is a Business Enterprise Development portal that supports access to better goods and services by marketing and promoting businesses.

• Our Profile
• Privacy Policy

Latest from Bizna

Is your spouse, sibling, friend, neighbour having depression and you’re unaware, joyce nyambura: how i started my business in nairobi with sh. 200,000 capital, rwanda showing rest of africa the way in public transport management.

© 2023 Bizna Digital Services. All Rights Reserved.

• Business Plan for Investors
• Bank/SBA Business Plan
• Operational/Strategic Planning Services
• L1 Visa Business Plan
• E1 Treaty Trader Visa Business Plan
• E2 Treaty Investor Visa Business Plan
• EB-1 Business Plan
• EB-2 NIW Business Plan
• EB-5 Business Plan
• Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan
• Start-Up Visa Business Plan
• Expansion Worker Visa Business Plan
• Manitoba MPNP Visa Business Plan
• Nova Scotia NSNP Visa Business Plan
• British Columbia BC PNP Visa Business Plan
• Self-Employed Visa Business Plan
• OINP Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
• LMIA Owner Operator Business Plan
• ICT Work Permit Business Plan
• LMIA Mobility Program – C11 Entrepreneur Business Plan
• USMCA (ex-NAFTA) Business Plan
• Franchise Business Plan
• Landlord business plan
• Nonprofit Start-Up Business Plan
• USDA Business Plan
• Cannabis business plan
• Ecommerce business plan
• Online boutique business plan
• Mobile application business plan
• Daycare business plan
• Restaurant business plan
• Food delivery business plan
• Real estate business plan
• Business Continuity Plan
• Pitch Deck Consulting Services
• Financial Due Diligence Services
• ICO whitepaper
• ICO consulting services
• Confidential Information Memorandum
• Private Placement Memorandum
• Feasibility study
• Fractional CFO
• How it works
• Business Plan Examples

Chicken Farming Business Plan Sample

OCT.28, 2013

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Kiley Protein farm will be a registered and licensed meat and egg producer based in Kansas City Missouri. The business will act as a model for starting up a chicken farm.  The aim of this business will be to provide the best products.

2.2 Management of Chicken Farming Business

In order to make sure that the business runs smooth and without any hiccup, Kiley Lawson, the owner of the business will hire 2 managers and a doctor. The managers will be responsible for procurement and sales, while the doctor will be the one looking after the operations of the farm. If you need to know how to start chicken farming, management is the first thing you need to learn. This is not like a business plan for bank as you need to be involved at all levels to make sure that the farm operates profitably.

2.3 Customers of Chicken Farming Business

Before we can explore more aspects of how to set up a poultry farm business, we need to see what the customers are that we are working with. The main customers of this business will be:

• Chicken retailers in the area.
• Hotels and restaurants.
• Grocery stores that sell chicken.
• End consumers.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Kiley Lawson will be the owner of the Kiley Protein Farm. Kiley has been a manager in a poultry farm for the last 5 years. She has got money in inheritance and now she wants to invest it in a good business. Having the funds and the experience in this field made her the perfect owner and chief executive of a poultry farming business.

3.2 Why the Chicken Farming Business is being started?

Kiley has noticed that there is a gap in the market. Kansas City is a big consumer of meat in the area but they have to import it from other cities as the production in the city cannot suffice the demand. Kiley wants to bridge this gap. This example of business plan for poultry farming will cover all the aspects there are about chicken farming and how Kiley will be filling the gap.

Marketing Analysis of Chicken Farming Business

Uk start-up visa business plan.

If you want to know how to write a business plan for a chicken farm, you need to run a thorough marketing analysis of the industry. If we look at the trends in the poultry industry, the consumption of meat in the US has been up by as much as 540% since 1940. This translates to a multibillion-dollar industry that has a scope for aggressive expansion just like a mushroom farming business plan .

However, this must also be noted that starting a chicken business is not an easy feat to undertake. This is mainly because the industry already has a lot of well-reputed and established brands that are providing the services.

Let’s explore more marketing factors related to this poultry farm business plan .

5.1 Market Trends

If you want to know how to open a chicken farm, you need to see the market trends. It can be seen that the chicken market has grown from $8.3 billion in 2008 to more than $40 billion in 2018. Experts are expecting another 300% growth in the sector by 2030. This means one thing; the business is a good one to enter.

5.2.1 Restaurants and Hotels

Our largest customers will be these. We will make agreements with them to be the sole suppliers of all their meat and eggs. This will make us a bunch of money and that too for a long period of time.

5.2.2 Grocery Stores

We’ll offer frozen meat products and eggs at the popular grocery store in the area. Once the brand makes a name for itself, this will become one of the most profitable segments of our market.

5.2.3 End Consumer

We will be opening two outlets to sell the product directly to the end consumer. This will not be a very profitable thing at the start but once we penetrate this segment of the market, we can make top dollar.

5.2.4 Chicken and Egg Retailers

We will provide our product to the retailers who have established sales and are selling product from other producers. We will offer it at a lower price to shift them to us.

5.3 Business Target

• To be a leading provider of meat and eggs in the US.
• To expand the business worldwide in 10 years.
• To establish a reputable brand of organic meat and eggs.
• To be the best meat and eggs provider in the state of Missouri.

5.4 Product Pricing

We will keep the prices low at the start to attract customers. This will be done for the first six months. Once we get customers and make a name of the brand then we can increase the prices gradually and adjust them where there is the perfect balance of sales volume and profit margin.

Marketing Strategy

It is of cardinal importance to make a strong marketing strategy if you have to establish a profitable chicken farming business. Your poultry marketing plan needs to focus on the strengths you have over the competition. The main advantage Kiley Protein has is that they are providing organic meat and eggs, something not many of the others are providing.

Let’s see how this sample business proposal for poultry farming covers the marketing part.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• We are one of the very few businesses in the area providing organic meat and eggs. This is the biggest competitive advantage that we have.
• We will provide meat in varieties. Boneless, leg pieces, minced meat, will all be offered as different products.
• We will make deals with bulk customers and make long term agreements with them to be their sole suppliers.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will use YouTube and Facebook ads to advertise out product and highlight how are we better.
• We will send salespersons to large customers (hotels and fast-food chains) to sign long term agreements.
• For the average customer, we will offer discounted rates and lucky draws on every purchase to attract sales.

Personnel plan

This business plan for poultry farm pdf also covers the staff that will be needed to run the farm and all of its operations. Just like a pig farming business plan , this business also needs quite a bit of staff to keep the farm running.

7.1 Company Staff

• Kiley Lawson will be the owner and the CEO of the chicken farming business.
• 2 Managers for procurement and sales.
• 1 Doctor to run the farm.
• 8 Handlers to feed and look after the chicken.
• 3 Drivers for the delivery trucks.
• 4 Salesmen to tun the outlets.
• 4 Delivery boys to deliver the online orders.

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

The next thing this start chicken farming business plan needs to cover is the financial plan, an estimate of all the costs involved in setting up this business. Just like a goat farming business plan , we need to have an estimate before we start it.

Here are the costs that the owner will have to arrange:

• The cost of setting up the farm and procuring the machinery.
• The salaries of the staff of the farm for the first 6 months.
• The cost of food for the chicken for the first lot (40 days).
• The cost of setting up outlets to sell the product.
• The cost of promoting the business.
• The cost of buying vehicles to transport the product to the market.
• The money needed to create an online store.

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

Download Chicken Farming Business Plan Sample in pdf

Add comment

E-mail is already registered on the site. Please use the Login form or enter another .

You entered an incorrect username or password

Comments (2)

May i contact u telegram?

https://t.me/ogscapital

mentioned in the press:

Search the site:

OGScapital website is not supported for your current browser. Please use:

How to Start an Egg Business

From writing a business plan to collecting eggs, everything you need to know.

• Swarthmore College

• Ohio Wesleyan University
• Brandeis University
• Northeastern University

Treehugger / Julie Bang

• Urban Farms
• Planting Guides
• Indoor Gardening

Maybe you've been raising laying hens for your family and wanted to expand, or perhaps you're starting fresh with a new flock and already know you want to get into the business of selling eggs. Either way, raising chickens who produce farm-fresh eggs can be a fun and profitable venture. There are just a few things to consider when starting your own egg business that will ensure your success.

Know Your Market

Treehugger / Julia Cook

You'll need to make sure that a market for homegrown eggs exists in your area. And you'll want to see what prices others are commanding per dozen. When looking at other local egg offerings, consider: are the chickens fed organic feed? Are they "pastured," where they spend all day out on the grass, eating bugs and the growing tips of plants as well as chicken feed?

You'll want to determine where you will sell your eggs. Many states have exceptions for farmers selling eggs on a small scale.     But if you want to go beyond that, you may need to set up a USDA-inspected egg washing facility.   If looking locally, how much turnover does your local food co-op or grocery store have for eggs? Many places can't keep stock of good, local eggs, but in some towns or rural areas, there may be an oversupply.

Know the Laws

As mentioned above, depending on your state and local laws, you may need to set up special facilities to clean your eggs. You may be allowed to, or prohibited from, recycling egg cartons from other companies to package your eggs. If you put the word "organic" on your eggs, you will probably need to meet organic standards, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Your county extension agent is a good place to start to find out what local and federal laws may apply to your egg-selling business.

Write a Business Plan

The second step after knowing your market is to formalize your marketing plan by writing a business plan . A small farm business plan will not only identify your target market, but it will also look at how you might grow your business down the road, what price to set your eggs at, what costs contribute to producing the eggs, and what profit you can hope to generate.

Decide How Many Chicks You Want

With your business plan in place, you can work backward from the number of eggs you plan to sell each week, to how many chicks you need to get to meet that goal. Figure that during her prime, a laying hen will, on average, produce three to five eggs a week. If you plan to sell 10 dozen eggs a week, or 120 eggs, you can do the math to determine that 25 or 30 chicks will be a good number to start with.

Make sure you've done the hard work and that you have a market that can support the number of chicks you are getting for your flock.

You can also figure out pricing. What are your expenses each month for feed and other costs? Divide that by the number of dozens of eggs you plan to sell, and make sure you're charging well above your break-even point. You may have to spread the investment of building a chicken coop or putting up fencing over several years to make a profit, though, so don't calculate initial investment when setting your price.

Raise Your Chicks

Be sure when you choose your chicks, you're picking a breed that is very productive in the egg-laying department, and that also are hardy enough to survive in your climate. If you are in the north, you will want to consider supplementing with light in the winter, so that your hens produce eggs all year round.

Raising laying hens on pasture can make for better eggs, and discerning customers now know the difference. Deep, rich orange yolks bursting with flavor is what many now expect - and what you should easily get from hens with access to grubs, grasses, and the ability to roam over several acres to find the tastiest meals. On top of pasture, you'll want to provide high-quality feed and possibly additional calcium for strong shells. You can also supplement with food and garden scraps.

Collect and Clean Eggs

How you collect and clean eggs is extra important when you are selling them to others. Make sure that you know how to properly clean your eggs so that you minimize the risk of salmonella poisoning.

Package and Sell Eggs

Once collected, it's time to package and sell your eggs . Consider your business plan when thinking about how to package your eggs. A nice label with a graphic logo can go a long way toward selling your eggs over another local brand. Make sure to follow all the requirements of your local and state laws when packaging and selling eggs.

Reassess and Reevaluate

With any business, ongoing assessment and evaluation of the success of the business are key. If things are not running smoothly with your egg business, it may be time to reassess - the markets, your infrastructure (coop and fencing), and even whether continuing to sell eggs is the right choice for you. Don't be afraid to reevaluate your egg business from time to time to make sure it's working well for your small farm .

“ Sale Of Eggs In Minnesota .” State of Minnesota Department of Agriculture .

“ Egg Sales & Licensing .” State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

“ Sanitation Requirements .” U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Golson, Terry. The Farmstead Egg Guide & Cookbook. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt . 2014.

Hermes, James. “ How To Feed Your Laying Hens .” Oregon State University.

• Raising Pullets for Your Small Farm or Backyard Coop
• How to Sell Chicken Eggs
• Starting Your Small Farm from Scratch
• Should You Raise Turkeys?
• How to Sell Farm Products to Food Distributors
• How to Start a Small Farm Business
• How to Start a Small Farm
• What Kind of Chickens Should I Get?
• How to Start a Hobby Farm
• How to Raise Goat Breeding Stock
• 8 Awesome Urban Chicken Coops
• Make a Bundle at the Farmers Market
• The Egg Shortage Reflects a Cruel, Unsustainable System
• What's the Difference Between Cage-Free and Free-Range Eggs?
• How to Raise and Care for Baby Goats
• How to Raise Dairy Goats for Milk

Call 860-436-5980 (Mon to Fri 9am-4pm EST)

FREE Continental US SHIPPING on Incubator Models SH1000 to SH12000!

Quality Egg Incubators & Hatchers

Item added to your cart

How to start your own poultry business.

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

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.

Be part of our Mission

We at PoultryCare, working on the mission to construct a technology ecosystem for the poultry industry that unites all stakeholders democratically, fostering connectivity and collaboration across the sector.

Related Posts

Ai and robotics: shaping the future of layer farming, innovations in layer farming automation: a glimpse into the future, from famous to feathered: the star-studded world of celebrity layer farmers, achieve celebrity-grade egg production: transforming your layer farm with poultryerp, egg-clusive celebrity henhouses: a glimpse into the glamour of egg farming, smart feeding: enhancing layer farm productivity with ai, join with our whatsapp channel for daily poultry tips click here.

• Business Type
• Business Plan for Chicken Hatchery

Chicken Hatchery Small Business Idea and Business Plan

Starting your own small business in the UK isn’t easy but having a properly developed business plan will help you achieve success.

To start a Chicken Hatchery business in the UK, take the time and explain the idea via a business plan.

Understanding all of the aspects of the business idea will be the key to getting the Chicken Hatchery business running like a well-oiled machine. The business plan you develop will help you organize the elements needed into a strategy that you can actually use to startup, by paving a clear road map as to what you need to follow for the lifespan of your business.

Starting a Chicken Hatchery business isn’t easy, but when done right, it can lead to a lot of success.

To help you get started, you can use the free business plan builder tool to develop your own Chicken Hatchery business plan.

The business plan template is very easy to use, is interactive and will quickly and easily help you create your business plan just by answering the needed questions about your small business idea.

Create your own Chicken Hatchery business plan for free using the Business Plan Builder

The free business plan template builder is divided into a few easy to follow steps.

The free business plan builder template is provided by UKStartups.org to help you develop your own business plan. For step by step guidance, see the 5 steps below.

Once completed, the result will be a clean, professional plan that will help you start your own Chicken Hatchery small business in the UK.

When you have completed your Chicken Hatchery business plan, the next step will be to find available funding that will help, or to speak with a funding adviser who will assist you each step of the way to securing the needed funds to make your Chicken Hatchery business startup.

If you are looking to limit your startup costs when starting up a Chicken Hatchery small business in the UK, this free business plan builder tool will be it.

Starting a Chicken Hatchery business is only one of the ways others have used this free business plan tool. There are hundreds of different ideas you can start, and if you need guidance, do reach out to a UKStartups expert to get the needed assistance and guidance.

Step 1. Your business information

To develop a proper Chicken Hatchery business plan with the free business plan builder template, it is important to answer each of the questions about your business to the best of your abilities.

What is your business? What are the products/services you provide? Who are your customers? What are your goals…etc?

Having a clear explanation will help you create a in-depth business plan that you can actually use to start the Chicken Hatchery business and to apply for needed funding to cover your startup costs.

Step 2. Projecting your revenues/income

The Chicken Hatchery industry can have great results. Planning and projecting the financial figures to approximate what you will make each year is crucial to building a strong business plan.

What do you think your business will make from each of its products/services? Simply list your products/services, enter the appropriate financial figures (costs and expenses).

If you don’t have the figures, in many cases it is recommended to do a a bit more research on other Chicken Hatchery businesses locally and within your own region to get an idea of potential revenue. You can do your best to estimate the figures and growth potential.

If you need assistance in projecting, you can always contact UK Startups funding experts for the help.

Step 3. Your business market

As a Chicken Hatchery business, having a clear explanation of the market and industry that you are in will help you plan for the figure and will ensure you can take the business to the next level.

Explain your location of business, share specifics about your customers, showcase your competition and explain the advantages you have over your competition.

Step 4. The future plan

Starting your own Chicken Hatchery business and getting it off the ground is important to you.

No matter if you’re planning on applying for government funding for your Chicken Hatchery business or not, it is important to plan out the future and provide an explanation of how you will grow the business. This means explaining your marketing plan, your sales strategy and clearly outlining a growth plan for the next few years.

Be sure to break this down step by step to show how you intend on making sure your Chicken Hatchery business can grow each year.

Keep in mind that often business plans are focused on key people. Be sure to discuss yourself, your role and any other key figures in the business as well.

Step 5. The financials

In the end, it all comes down to the financials. If you are seeking funding, or not – the business plan you develop needs to have clearly defined financials or projections. The business plan builder tool makes it easy to develop your financial charts by simply entering your expected revenues per month and year. If you don’t have the figures as it’s a new business be sure to project the figures based on your expectations. If you need help with this, ask the UK Startups experts .

A clear breakdown of your funding needs is also recommended in case you are seeking funding and this free business plan template will help you with exactly that. When developing your Chicken Hatchery business plan using this free template, the above 5 steps are recommended in order to succeed. While there are other key points that will assist you in starting your business, finding funding...etc, the free template will help put you on the right path

Be sure to request a professional to review your business plan , to answer any questions you may have and to help you with the funding search once you’ve done the initial free template. You can request this directly via UKStartups.org and through the Small Business Startup Platform as a member.

If starting a Chicken Hatchery business is just one of your ideas, perhaps considering other options, here are some popular small business’s others have chosen to startup

• State Liquor Store
• Softball Field
• Insurance School
• Livestock Breeder

INSTANT ACCESS - April Government Funding Options

See ALL government funding options now

This will close in 24 seconds

Starting Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan (PDF)

The world’s insatiable appetite for poultry meat has made broiler poultry farming an attractive and lucrative venture for entrepreneurs and farmers alike. Whether you’re a seasoned agricultural enthusiast or someone looking to venture into the world of poultry farming for the first time, starting a broiler poultry farming business can be a rewarding and profitable endeavor. The broiler poultry farming business is not merely about rearing chickens; it represents a thriving sector that caters to the insatiable global appetite for poultry meat. With a steadily growing global population and a shift towards healthier protein choices, the demand for chicken products has skyrocketed, creating a robust market for broiler farmers. This increasing demand, coupled with advancements in breeding techniques, nutrition, and management practices, presents an enticing opportunity for entrepreneurs to not only meet consumer needs but also reap huge profits. It is a highly rewarding business if done properly. Essential things required to build a profitable broiler poultry farming business include :  knowledge of how to keep broiler chickens, good poultry business management skills, and a good poultry farming business plan. This article will outline how to start the broiler chickens business, and the broiler poultry farming business plan – PDF, Word and Excel.

This article and business plan is about broilers poultry farming (meat production).  We also have articles and business plans for

Poultry Egg Farming Business  

Free Range Chicken Farming Business

Click the links above to go to the articles and business plans. 

Business Model

The Broiler Poultry Farming Business Model revolves around a straightforward yet highly profitable process. It all begins with the purchase of day-old chicks, which serve as the foundation of your broiler flock. These chicks are carefully selected for their genetic potential to achieve rapid growth and efficient meat production. Once in your care, you provide them with the appropriate housing, ensuring optimal conditions for their growth and development. A crucial aspect of broiler farming is the efficient management of their diet, as the major expenses in this venture are attributed to the cost of day-old chicks and feed.

As the chicks grow, typically within a span of 5-7 weeks, they reach maturity, and this is when you can reap the rewards of your efforts. The broilers can be sold in two main forms: as live birds or as dressed birds, depending on the preferences of your target market. The revenue generated from selling these mature broilers significantly exceeds the input costs and operational expenses, resulting in a healthy profit margin. What makes this business model particularly attractive is its repetitiveness throughout the year, allowing you to maintain a consistent stream of income by continually raising and selling batches of broilers. This cyclical approach to broiler farming ensures financial stability and growth in your poultry venture.

Land for Broiler Poultry Farming

Selecting the right land is a fundamental step in establishing a successful broiler poultry farming operation. The choice of land can significantly impact the efficiency and profitability of your venture. When acquiring land for broiler poultry farming, it’s crucial to consider several key factors. Firstly, the location and accessibility of the land are paramount. The site should be easily reachable by road to facilitate the transportation of feed, day-old chicks, and mature birds, while also being situated at a distance away from residential or industrial areas to avoid unwanted noise and odors for neighboring inhabitants. Proximity to markets and suppliers can also reduce logistical challenges and costs.

Furthermore, ensure that sufficient water supply is readily available at the broiler farm, as water is essential for the health and well-being of the birds. Access to electricity is equally important to power the necessary equipment and lighting systems. To mitigate the risk of flooding, it’s advisable to construct the broiler house on elevated land with proper drainage systems in place. Low-lying areas should be avoided, as they are prone to flooding and can jeopardize the safety and well-being of your broiler flock. Also consider the availability of affordable labor, as staffing costs can significantly impact the profitability of your broiler chicken farming business.

You must assess zoning and regulatory requirements in the area to ensure that poultry farming is permitted. Compliance with local laws is essential to avoid legal issues. The size and layout of the land should be sufficient to accommodate your planned broiler housing, feed storage, and other necessary infrastructure. You should also consider environmental conditions, access to utilities, soil quality, security, and biosecurity measures. Evaluating these factors, along with the cost of land, will help you make an informed decision.

Broiler Poultry Housing

Good housing is an important aspect of the broiler poultry farming business. A good broiler house has the following features : it protects the broiler birds from adverse weather conditions, has a good ventilation system, gives adequate space for the broilers to move around, provides easy access to feed and water. Failure to provide good housing for your broilers will lead to disastrous loses for your poultry farming business. The broiler chicken house should be constructed in such a way that its long axis is in a east-west direction – this helps by minimizing the amount of sunlight that would enter the broiler house. A proper ventilation system should be available in the broiler house so as to provide fresh air to the birds and remove excess heat and moisture. The broiler chicken house should be designed to deal with both extremes – hot weather and cold weather. Good temperature control will enhance feed conversion and growth rate, making your broiler poultry farming business more profitable. The broiler poultry farming business plan should include the costs of the BROILER housing construction. 

Equipment for Poultry Farm

Adequate poultry equipment is essential for raising healthy and profitable broiler chickens. Essential equipment for a broiler poultry farm include feeding equipment. Broilers chickens should have easy access to the poultry feeds – this is made possible by purchasing the right type of feeders. Good feeding equipment should : have a safe design for the chickens, provide clean & fresh feed to the broilers, offer easy access to the feed, and be easy to clean. You can use manual feeders or automatic feeding system depending on the size of your broiler poultry farm and your budget. Drinking equipment are also required when raising broiler chickens. Broilers should always have access to water as water is an important component which supports the growth of broiler chickens. Drinking equipment for broilers can be : water basin, automatic belly waterer, nipple drinker or manual drinker. Each type of poultry drinking equipment has its own advantages and disadvantages. Other additional equipment for a poultry farm include lighting system, heaters, brooders, weighing scales and waste disposal system. The cost of poultry farm equipment should be included in the poultry farming business plan.

Broiler Day Old Chicks

Healthy broiler day old chicks are required for you to be profitable in your poultry farming business. Good quality chicks will minimize the rate of mortality thus ensuring that a high number of birds will survive up to maturity – which implies more profitability for your broiler chickens farming business. Features of good quality broiler day old chicks include : a deep yellow colour, large well developed chick, navels which are well closed, no deformity on the body and the chicks should be active and alert. Research about your chicks supplier before purchasing – always buy the day old chicks from reputable and accredited hatcheries.  You can also consult other poultry farmers on where they purchase their day old chicks from. Day old chicks should be handled with care when transporting them to your farm to avoid mortality during the transportation. The broiler poultry farming business plan should include the costs of acquiring the broiler day old chicks.

Feed And Nutrition

Feed is required to support the growth of the broiler chickens. Broiler chickens require a variety of nutrients inorder to stay healthy and grow to their full potential. If you fail to provide adequate feed to the birds, they may die , or fail to reach the target weights, which may lead to financial loss of your poultry farming venture. Essential nutrients required by broiler chickens include proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals. These nutrients are all found in commercial broiler stock feeds. There are 3 types of broiler feeds which are given to the birds at different growth stages. These are Broiler Starter feeds, Broiler Grower feeds, and Broiler Finisher feeds. Water is also required to support efficient growth of the broiler chickens. You will also need a b roiler stress pack/vitamin supplements which  can be used to promote growth of commercial broilers and chicks, and also to combat stress during periods of high temperature, after vaccination and as an aid in recovery from disease to boost performance of the stock. All the feed costs should be included in your poultry farming business plan. 

Health and Disease Management

Maintaining the health of your broiler flock is a paramount responsibility in your poultry farming business. A proactive and comprehensive health management program is crucial to prevent diseases and ensure the well-being of your birds. In some areas vaccinations maybe necessary to protect your broilers from common poultry diseases. Consult with a veterinarian to establish a vaccination schedule tailored to your specific location and the prevalent diseases in your region. Additionally, strict biosecurity measures must be in place to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. This includes controlling access to your farm, disinfecting equipment and vehicles, and establishing quarantine areas for new birds. Regularly monitor the health of your flock through routine inspections, and be prepared to take immediate action if any signs of illness or distress are observed.

In the event of disease outbreaks, it’s crucial to have a contingency plan in place. Isolate infected birds to prevent the spread of disease and consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate treatment or culling measures. Timely and effective response is critical in minimizing the impact of disease on your broiler flock and, ultimately, your profitability. Regularly educate yourself and your farm staff on best practices in poultry health management, as staying informed about emerging diseases and treatment options is vital. By prioritizing the health of your broilers and implementing robust disease management strategies, you can reduce mortality rates, enhance the overall quality of your poultry products, and maintain a healthy and profitable broiler poultry farming business.

Management and Labour for Broiler Poultry Business

The number of farm workers you need will depend on the size of your poultry farming business project. If you are running a small poultry farm business e.g. 100 birds/cycle, you and your family may be enough to take care of the birds, but if you are rearing 2000 birds per cycle, you will need full time employees to manage the poultry farm.  There is need for good technical knowledge of broiler poultry farming rearing techniques for success in the business, and good management skills.

Capital for Broiler Poultry Farming Business

The amount of capital required for the broiler poultry business depends on the scale of the project. You can get a loan from the bank, or funding from investors, to use as capital to start your poultry farming business. If you plan to raise capital from investors and a loan from the bank, you need a good poultry farming business plan. If you don’t have access to investors and bank loan, you can use your personal savings and start small, and grow your business overtime. Broiler chickens are very profitable, so if you reinvest the profits you get, you can quickly grow. Even if you are not planning to get a loan, you should still get a broiler poultry farming business plan doc to guide you in starting and operating the business.

Marketing Plan

A well-defined marketing plan is an essential component of any successful broiler poultry farming business. It’s not enough to raise healthy broilers; you must also effectively reach your target market and convince potential customers to choose your poultry products. One crucial step in this process is identifying your target market. Are you catering to local consumers, butcheries, restaurants, supermarkets, or wholesalers? Understanding your ideal customers will help you tailor your marketing efforts effectively. Once you’ve identified your audience, you can move on to product branding and packaging, creating a strong brand identity for your poultry products. Eye-catching packaging and branding can make your products stand out on the market shelves and attract consumer attention. Developing a competitive pricing strategy that reflects your production costs, market demand, and your product’s perceived value is essential. Consider offering promotions or discounts to attract initial customers.

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is crucial. Create a professional website and use social media platforms to showcase your products, share farm updates, and engage with potential customers. Invest in advertising and promotion to create awareness about your broiler poultry farm, utilizing both online and offline marketing channels. Building strong relationships with your customers, providing excellent customer service, and staying adaptable by monitoring market trends and consumer preferences are all key components of a successful marketing plan. By developing a comprehensive strategy that encompasses these elements, you can effectively promote your broiler poultry products, establish a strong brand presence, and attract a loyal customer base, ultimately contributing to the long-term success and sustainability of your broiler poultry farming business.

Market for Broiler Chickens

The market for broiler chickens is very huge and is ever increasing. The annual global demand of broiler chickens is 130 million tonnes. That’s a lot! You can supply your broiler chickens to individual households, butchers, schools, restaurants, companies, supermarkets, organizations, events, abattoirs etc. You can sell your broilers as live birds or you can slaughter and freeze them and sell them as dressed chicken. The broiler poultry farming business plan ought to include a proper marketing plan to use in your poultry farming business.

The export market is also very huge! As you grow your broiler production business you will be able to export the meat to other countries.  The largest importer of broiler chickens is the Gulf Cooperation Council, which is a  as a political and economic alliance by six Middle Eastern countries which are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Currently, the top producers of broiler chickens are United States of America, Brazil, China, European Union, India, Russia, Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, Thailand and Indonesia. The largest importers of the meat include the previously mentioned Gulf Cooperation Council, Japan, Mexico, European Union, Iraq, South Africa, China, Honk Kong, and Philippines. 

Keys to Profitability in Broiler Poultry Farming

Profitability in your broiler poultry farming business hinges on several crucial factors that span the entire production cycle. Efficient feed management is paramount, as feed expenses often represent a significant portion of your costs. To maximize profitability, invest in high-quality feed, closely monitor feed conversion rates, and avoid overfeeding to minimize waste. Maintaining the health of your broiler flock is equally essential. Implement a robust health management program that includes regular vaccinations, stringent biosecurity measures, and proactive monitoring to prevent diseases and reduce mortality rates. By keeping your broilers healthy, you can reduce the need for costly treatments and ensure steady growth.

The environment in which your broilers are raised plays a pivotal role in profitability. Adequate housing and ventilation are critical components of this equation. Your housing facilities should provide a comfortable environment with proper ventilation, temperature control, and insulation to minimize stress and promote optimal growth. Efficient staffing is also key to managing day-to-day operations effectively. Well-trained and knowledgeable staff can help reduce errors, improve productivity, and ensure the overall welfare of your broilers. Additionally, market timing is a critical consideration. Monitoring market trends and aligning your broiler sales with market demand can significantly impact your profitability. By optimizing the timing of your sales, you can secure higher selling prices and enhance your overall financial performance.

Another aspect of profitability involves resource management. Efficiently utilize resources like water and electricity to minimize waste and operational costs. Consider exploring renewable energy sources as a sustainable approach to resource management. Responsible scaling is essential as well. While expanding your broiler poultry farming business can lead to increased profits, it’s crucial to do so prudently, ensuring you have the necessary resources and market demand to support growth without straining your finances.

Advantages of Broiler Poultry Farming Business

Engaging in a broiler poultry farming business presents a range of compelling advantages that make it an enticing venture in the agricultural industry. Firstly, the rapid turnaround to profitability is a standout feature. Broilers are known for their efficient growth, reaching market weight in just 5 to 7 weeks. This means that farmers can realize a relatively fast return on investment compared to other livestock enterprises, making broiler farming an attractive option for those seeking quicker financial returns.

Furthermore, the steady and ever-increasing demand for poultry meat, especially chicken, is a significant driving force behind the success of broiler poultry farming. The affordability, versatility, and perceived health benefits of chicken contribute to a consistent and growing market. This ensures stability and reduces the risks associated with market fluctuations and seasonal variations, providing farmers with a reliable source of income.

Another advantage is the relatively low initial investment required to start a broiler poultry farm. Compared to some other livestock businesses, broiler farming demands less capital in terms of infrastructure and equipment. This accessibility enables individuals with limited financial resources to enter the poultry farming industry without significant financial barriers. Moreover, broilers’ remarkable feed conversion efficiency minimizes feed costs, contributing to overall profitability, as less feed is needed to produce a unit of meat compared to many other livestock species. These advantages make broiler poultry farming a compelling and potentially lucrative endeavor. However, it’s essential to approach this business with proper planning, management, and dedication to ensure long-term success and sustainability.

Why You Need A Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan

A well-structured business plan is an indispensable tool when embarking on a broiler poultry farming business. Its importance lies in its ability to provide a clear vision and direction for your venture, outlining your goals, strategies, and action plans. This strategic roadmap helps you stay focused on your long-term objectives, guiding your business decisions and preventing distractions or unexpected challenges from derailing your progress. Furthermore, a well-prepared business plan helps you identify potential risks and challenges that may arise during the course of your broiler poultry farming venture. By recognizing these risks upfront, you can develop contingency plans to mitigate them effectively.

Financial management is another crucial aspect of a business plan. Your business plan outlines the resources required for your broiler poultry farm, including land, housing, equipment, and labor. This information is essential for efficient resource allocation and management. With a clear understanding of your resource needs, you can plan for timely acquisitions, allocate resources optimally, and avoid unnecessary expenses. It allows you to estimate the initial investment required to start your broiler poultry farm and project future expenses and revenues. By meticulously detailing your financial projections, you gain valuable insights into budgeting, resource allocation, and pricing strategies. This financial foresight is invaluable in ensuring that your business remains financially viable and sustainable over time.

If you seek external funding or investors for your broiler poultry farming business, a well-structured business plan serves as a powerful communication tool. It conveys your vision, strategies, and financial projections to potential investors or lenders, instilling confidence in your venture’s viability. A compelling business plan can significantly improve your chances of securing the necessary capital for your farm’s growth and development.

Pre-Written Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the broiler poultry farming business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the broiler chicken business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, how to keep the birds, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global poultry farming business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your broiler poultry business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the broiler chicken business.

Uses of the Broiler Chicken Farming Business Plan (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The broiler poultry farming business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your broiler production business
• As a project/business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the broiler chicken business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The poultry farming business plan includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Risk Analysis
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements (Including technical aspects of how to keep and rear the broilers, feed requirements etc)
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in broiler poultry farming business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your broiler poultry business

The Pre-written Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan package consist of 4 files

• Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 75 Pages)
• Broiler Chicken Production Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 75 Pages)
• Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 41 pages)
• Broiler Chicken Production Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the number of broilers, selling price per broiler etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change.

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan (PDF)

Testimonial 2

Many thanks for your incredibly efficient service and thorough business plan. I am very impressed with the business plan. Before I bought the business plan, I tried to do my own business plan – it was such a nightmare and it turned out badly, also not to mention the stress it caused me. I wish I knew about your website earlier!

Testimonial 8

Just wanted to say I am very happy with the business plan and I will gladly recommend your products, thank you very much and have a great day.

Testimonial 1

StartupBiz Global provided a very professional and comprehensive business plan which I used for my business. The business plan was easy to edit, and I was able to get the funding which I wanted. I highly recommend their business plans.

Testimonial 7

I found Startupbiz Global online when I was in desperate need of a business plan. I was overwhelmed by the quality of the business plan, it’s comprehensive and well researched! I did not have to wait to get the business plan, I got it instantly after payment. I highly recommend Startupbiz Global, and would happily use them again in the future.

Testimonial 6

I purchased a business plan from you, and I’m glad to inform you that I was able to get my loan, and I’m starting my poultry farming business on the 1 st of July. This was made possible because of your business plan. Thank you very much, you made my dream come true.

Testimonial 5

I was able to understand the business side of farming because of your business plan. You did extensive research; the business plan was well prepared and fully detailed.  It made everything clear, and I have somewhere to start now. I am confident that I am going to succeed in my business because of the guidance from your business plan.

Testimonial 3

I was extremely lucky to come across StartupBiz Global. Their business plan exceeded my expectations, and most importantly I was able to secure a loan from my bank. Thank you guys, now my dreams are coming true!

Testimonial 4

The business plan which I purchased from your website saved me TIME and MONEY! The layout of the business plan was excellent. The financial statements were detailed and easy for me to edit. I will come back to purchase another business plan soon.

Get the Broiler Poultry Farming Business Plan (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

Broiler Poultry Farming Business Frequently Asked Questions

How do i start a broiler poultry farm.

To start a broiler poultry farm you require day old chicks, poultry housing, equipment and feed. You should also have a ready market for your broilers to ensure that you can quickly sell them when they mature. A good broiler poultry farming business plan is also required before you venture into this business.

How much space do I need for 1000 broilers?

Broiler chickens should have adequate space in their housing. Each broiler chicken should have about 0.1 square meters of space. This implies that for 1000 broilers, you require 100 square meters space for broilers.

How many bags of feed do I need for 100 broilers?

Broiler chickens require 16 bags of 25Kg broiler feed to reach maturity. This implies that broilers require 8 bags of poultry feed if they are 50kg bags. These bags consist of broiler starter feed, broiler grower feed and broiler finisher feed.

Is broiler poultry farming profitable?

Broiler poultry farming business is very profitable if done the correct way. You need to ensure that you buy good quality chicks, and take good care of them to minimize mortality, then adequately feed them so that they reach the target weight at maturity. It’s essential that you have a ready market which offers good prices to ensure profitability of your poultry farming business.

Which feed is best for broilers?

Broiler stock feeds are the best for commercial broiler poultry farming business. Buy your broiler chicken feed from reputable stock feed suppliers. Broiler 3-phase feeding programs consist of broiler starter feed, broiler grower feed and broiler finisher feed. Only use home-made feed if you have the necessary feed production expertise.

What are the 3 types of chickens?

The 3 types of chickens are broilers, layers and free range chickens. This leads to 3 different poultry farming businesses which are the broiler chicken production business, the layers egg production business and the free range chicken farming business.

What’s the broiler poultry farming business model?

The broiler poultry farming business model involves purchasing day old chicks which you then feed over a period of 6-7 weeks and then sell for a profit. The major expenses of a broiler poultry farming business are feed and day old chicks. The broiler chicken farming business model is very straight forward, if you follow good poultry management skills and business practices you will be profitable.

How is profit calculated in poultry farming business?

To calculate profit in broiler poultry farming business, you need to know your revenue and all the business expenses. You then deduct the expenses from the revenue to get your profit. The revenue comes from selling the broiler chickens after they mature. The expenses include input costs like feed, day old chicks, and medication. Operational expenses should also be included like salaries and transport costs. Taking all these factors into consideration will give you the true profit of your poultry farming business. An advantage of the broiler poultry farming business plan is that it lays out all the revenues, expenses and profits of the business.

We wish you the best in your Broiler Chicken farming business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

Related Posts

Starting a profitable Import Export Business

10 Profitable Business Ideas For Youths

Profitable Poultry Farming Business Ideas

Starting a Profitable 3D Printing Business

Join our mailing list to receive the latest posts and updates from our website.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Chicken hatchery business plan in Kenya

Here is a general outline for a chicken hatchery business plan in Kenya:

• Executive Summary: This section should provide an overview of the hatchery business, including its purpose, mission, and goals. It should also provide a brief description of the products and services offered, target market, and competition.
• Market Analysis: In this section, you should conduct market research to determine the size and growth potential of the poultry industry in Kenya, including the demand for hatching eggs and day-old chicks. You should also analyze the competition and identify potential customers.
• Business Description: In this section, you should provide a detailed description of the hatchery business, including its products and services, ownership structure, and management team. You should also include information on the location, size, and facilities of the hatchery.
• Marketing Plan: In this section, you should outline your marketing strategy, including your target market, pricing strategy, distribution channels, and advertising and promotion plan.
• Operations Plan: In this section, you should describe the day-to-day operations of the hatchery, including the processes involved in incubating and hatching eggs, brooding and raising chicks, and selling and delivering products. You should also include information on the equipment and infrastructure required, labor needs, and operating hours.
• Financial Plan: In this section, you should provide a detailed financial analysis of the hatchery business, including projected income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. You should also include a budget for startup costs, operating expenses, and marketing expenses.
• Conclusion: This section should summarize the main points of the business plan and provide a final conclusion on the viability of the hatchery business in Kenya.

Here is a sample chicken hatchery business plan for Kenya:

Executive Summary

Our hatchery business aims to provide high-quality hatching eggs and day-old chicks to the poultry industry in Kenya. Our mission is to improve the quality and productivity of the poultry industry by providing healthy, disease-free birds to farmers and producers. Our goal is to become a leading hatchery in Kenya by providing top-notch products and services and by maintaining strong relationships with our customers.

Market Analysis

The poultry industry in Kenya is rapidly growing, with increasing demand for hatching eggs and day-old chicks. However, there is a lack of reliable and high-quality hatcheries in the market, which provides a significant opportunity for our business. Our target market includes poultry farmers and producers, as well as hatchery owners and feed suppliers. Our competition includes other hatcheries in Kenya, as well as imports from other countries.

Business Description

Our hatchery business will be registered as a limited liability company, with the ownership structure divided among a small group of experienced and passionate individuals. The hatchery will be located in a convenient and accessible location, with a spacious facility to accommodate the incubators, hatchers, brooders, and other necessary equipment. Our management team will be composed of experts in the poultry industry, with extensive experience in hatchery operations and management.

Marketing Plan

Our marketing strategy will focus on building relationships with poultry farmers and producers, as well as hatchery owners and feed suppliers. We will offer competitive pricing for our hatching eggs and day-old chicks, with discounts for bulk purchases. Our products will be distributed through our own hatchery, as well as through partner hatcheries and feed suppliers. We will also advertise and promote our business through trade shows, brochures, and social media.

Operations Plan

Our hatchery operations will include the incubation and hatching of eggs, brooding and raising of chicks, and selling and delivery of products. We will use high-quality equipment and infrastructure, including incubators, hatchers, brooders, and feeders. Our labor needs will include experienced hatchery workers, as well as a sales and marketing team. Our operating hours will be from Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 5pm.

Financial Plan

Our projected income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements indicate that the hatchery business is financially viable, with strong potential for growth and profitability. Our startup costs will include the costs of land, building, equipment, and inputs, as well as marketing and advertising expenses. Our operating expenses will include the costs of labor, electricity, feed, and other inputs. Our marketing expenses will include the costs of trade shows, brochures, and social media advertising.

Our chicken hatchery business is well-positioned to succeed in the growing poultry industry in Kenya, with a strong market demand for high-quality hatching eggs and day-old chicks. Our experienced and dedicated management team, coupled with our commitment to providing top-notch products and services, will ensure the success and growth of the business. We believe that our business plan provides a solid foundation for the hatchery and we are confident in its viability and potential for success.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

• Study Guides
• Homework Questions

Business Plan Presentation (1)

Check out these five MiLB alternate identities

• Facebook Share

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. The season is imminent and yet new alternate identities just keep on coming. Here are

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE .

The season is imminent and yet new alternate identities just keep on coming. Here are five recent entries to the Minor League scene:

Winston-Salem Dash: Hype Hens Soon after the release of their Tobacco Beetles identity, the Winston-Salem Dash added another new animal to their on-field kingdom. Hype Hens has an interesting backstory , as it “a nod to the success of the recent ‘Fowl Ball,’ a dance party for chickens that was hosted on-field at Truist Stadium.” How was I not aware of this? The Dash also announced that they are “debuting their very own chicken coop for fans to interact with all season long. The coop will house five chickens, one of which fans will have the chance to name via social media.”

• Subscribe to Ben’s Biz Beat Newsletter

Left unsaid is that “Hype Hens” closely resembles Hyphens, an alternate identity that the Dash debuted last season (because the dash between Winston and Salem that inspired the team name is, in actuality, a hyphen).

Biloxi Shuckers: Beach Chickens Speaking of Spring fowl-iage, the Shuckers will play four games as the Beach Chickens this season. A beach chicken is another name for a seagull, which are prevalent on the Gulf Coast and, in fact, can always be found at Biloxi’s MGM Park in the form of team mascot Schooner. Beach Chickens comes on the heels of the Shuckers’ King Cakes identity , a tribute to Biloxi’s long-running celebration of Mardi Gras.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs: Cats The IronPigs have declared that April 27 is "Caturday," during which the usually porcine International League entity will transform into the Cats. Fans are invited to bring their feline friends to the game, and local cat rescue organizations will be in attendance as well.

“I realized we were dog-centric for years and how irresponsible it’s been to not recognize the thousands of cat-lovers we have in the Lehigh Valley,” said IronPigs president and general manager Kurt Landes, in the press release. “It was a CATastrophe that needed fixed, and this was the purrrfect solution.”

Columbia Fireflies: Grits The world can now live in peace and hominy, as the Fireflies will play as the Grits on six occasions in 2024. This is the team’s first food identity and they seem really excited about it. The press release waxes quite rhapsodic regarding South Carolina’s love of grits, noting that “they are so embedded in the history of our state that in 1976, a motion was passed to make grits the state food of South Carolina, quoting them as ‘a symbol of its diet, its customs, its humor, and its hospitality.’” The Grits debut on April 26, which is highlighted by a Grits figurine giveaway featuring a bobble spoon. Butter up!

Chattanooga Lookouts: Wreckers The Lookouts have finally dipped their “tow” in alternate identity waters, as they’ll be suiting up as the Wreckers on six occasions this season. Why? Because Chattanooga is “the birthplace of towing.” The vintage orange wrecker featured in the logo is a tribute to Ernest Holmes, inventor of the tow hitch. Today the city is home to Miller Industries (“The World’s Largest Manufacturer of Towing and Recovery Equipment”) as well as the International Towing and Recovery Museum. It’ll be tough to pull this one off without a hitch, not that the Lookouts would even want to.

OK, gotta go! Get in touch if you’d like; I’d like it if you did: [email protected] .

Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog . Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz .

• Winston-Salem Dash
• Biloxi Shuckers
• Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• Columbia Fireflies
• Chattanooga Lookouts
• Ben's Biz
• Benjamin Hill
• White Sox Affiliate
• Brewers Affiliate
• Phillies Affiliate
• Royals Affiliate
• Reds Affiliate

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Chick-Fil-A backtracks from its no-antibiotics-in-chicken pledge, blames projected supply shortages

FILE - A Chick-fil-A location in Philadelphia is shown Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

• Copy Link copied

ATLANTA (AP) — The fast-food chain Chick-Fil-A backtracked from its decade-old “no antibiotics ever” pledge intended to help prevent human antibiotic resistance linked to the rampant use of the drugs in livestock production.

Instead, the company said in a statement that it will embrace a standard known as “no antibiotics important to human medicine,” often abbreviated as NAIHM, which entails the avoidance of medications commonly used to treat people and limits the use of animal antibiotics to cases of actual animal illness.

Livestock producers have long used antibiotics to boost rapid weight gain in animals such as chickens, pigs, cows and sheep, improving the profitability of their businesses. Over the past decade, however, many nations, including the United States, have begun to restrict the practice as evidence mounted that it was contributing to drug resistance and reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics against disease in humans.

Chick-Fil-A said it will begin shifting to the new policy in the spring of 2024. A company spokesman added that the move reflects company concerns about its ability to acquire sufficient supplies of antibiotic-free chicken. One of the poultry industry’s largest companies, Tyson Foods, said last year that it was reintroducing some antibiotics to its chicken production and removing its “No Antibiotics Ever” package labeling. It began to eliminate antibiotics from some of its poultry production in 2015.

In a May 2023 video featured on the Tyson Foods YouTube channel , Tyson’s senior director of animal welfare, Karen Christensen, described the shift as “based on scientific research and industry learnings.” She noted that Tyson planned to begin using antibiotics known as ionophores, which don’t play a role in human medicine, to “improve the overall health and welfare of the birds in our care.” Ionophores have long been used to promote growth in livestock.

Chick-fil-A announces shift from 'no antibiotics' in chicken pledge

Chick-fil-A says it will no longer adhere to its pledge of serving antibiotic-free chicken.

In a statement released Monday, the fast-food company said that starting this spring it would serve chicken that was free only of antibiotics "important to human medicine," or those commonly used to treat people.

It said its poultry going forward may have been raised with animal antibiotics, though "only if the animal and those around it were to become sick." The chicken will continue to be free of artificial preservatives, steroids and added hormones, it said.

Chick-fil-A first announced its no-antibiotics pledge in 2014.

But amid an avian-flu outbreak that devastated poultry supplies nationwide, chicken farmers who'd previously sought to avoid antibiotics have been forced to turn to them. Last July, food processing giant Tyson announced it was ending its "no antibiotics ever" pledge. Poultry producer Perdue Farms still has its pledge in place, while rival Pilgrim's Pride says it uses some.

While world health officials have long raised concerns about the potential of any antibiotics in food to degrade the human body's immunity to disease treatments, the Food and Drug Administration has said it is more concerned about the use of antibiotics commonly prescribed to humans than ones used to treat animal illnesses.

Rob Wile is a breaking business news reporter for NBC News Digital.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Chick-fil-A Modifies Its ‘No Antibiotic’ Chicken Policy

The fast food restaurant chain will continue to bar the use of antibiotics used to treat people but will permit the use of animal antibiotics.

By Victor Mather

The fast food restaurant Chick-fil-A said on Monday that it would shift its policy that had barred serving chicken treated with any antibiotics and serve chicken treated only with animal antibiotics.

The old policy was known as No Antibiotics Ever and barred the use of antibiotics used to treat people and animals. The new one, which is known as No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine, is expected to go into effect in the spring.

The previous policy meant that no antibiotics of any kind were given to animals. The new approach bars the use of antibiotics used to treat people but does allow the use of animal antibiotics if the animal and those around it are sick.

The company’s previous far-reaching ban was announced a decade ago and fully implemented roughly five years ago.

Chick-fil-A’s policy change came in part because of the difficulty in obtaining large amounts of antibiotic-free chicken, the company said.

“As we looked to the future, the availability of high-quality chicken that meets our rigid standards became a concern,” a Chick-fil-A spokesman said in a statement.

Chick-fil-A sold more than half a billion chicken sandwiches in 2022, according to QSR magazine, which covers the quick-service and fast-casual restaurant industries.

Tyson Foods, which processes about 20 percent of all chicken in the United States, made a similar decision last summer, dropping a “no antibiotics ever” label .

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said that antibiotics are used in chicken to “prevent disease and increase feed efficiency”: in other words, fatten the birds up.

There is no grave concern about antibiotics in chicken causing direct harm to a person who consumes them. But eating chicken treated with antibiotics could help promote drug-resistant bacteria, meaning an infection in a person might not respond to antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

A Food and Drug Administration analysis of antibiotics used in animal feed found that the majority of them likely contributed to the growing problem of treatment-resistant bacterial infections in people.

Federal scientists studied 30 penicillin and tetracycline additives in animal feed and found more than half posed a high risk of exposing humans to antibiotic-resistant bacteria through food, according to documents gained through public records requests by the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2014.

In the last decade or so, the United States has cracked down on the use of antibiotics in meat , though avoided banning them entirely. Laws currently require farmers to wait until antibiotics are out of animals’ systems before slaughtering them.

Victor Mather covers sports as well as breaking news for The Times. More about Victor Mather

Explore Our Business Coverage

Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping the world of business..

Phoenix  Housing Crunch:  A swelling population coupled with development restrictions have contributed to  a dire shortage of affordable housing in the biggest city in Arizona , one of the six states likely to determine the U.S. presidential election.

A Billionaire Online Warrior:  Bill Ackman, an obstinate hedge-funder who loves a public crusade, has used X to push himself into a new realm of celebrity .

Cancel Smartphones: The N.Y.U. professor Jonathan Haidt became a favorite in Silicon Valley for his work on what he called the “coddling” of young people. Now, he has an idea for fixing Gen Z .

Landline Pride: Traditional phones may seem like relics in the iPhone era, but a recent AT&T cellular service outage  had some landline lovers extolling their virtues.

C.E.O. Dreams: Fresh business school graduates are raising “search funds”  from willing investors to buy companies they can lead.

Nelson Peltz Wants Respect: The longtime corporate agitator feels misunderstood . Maybe his fight with Disney could change that.