Disadvantages of Poultry Keeping
The disadvantages of poultry are not many and include the following:
Some chicken diseases can affect humans
Chicken can die of preventable diseases like New Castle, Gumboro, Fowl Typhoid, Cholera and Cholera Pox
If not well protected, chicken can be eaten by a host of predators, like mongoose, eagles, cats and snakes
As you can see, the disadvantages of chicken are not so serious because they can all be prevented. In the next section we shall discuss the economics of poultry keeping.
Section 1.2: Economics of Poultry Keeping
Before you start a poultry business, it is important to find out if it makes economic sense. In this section we shall look at the economic value of chicken and how to cost your poultry project.
Economic Value of Poultry
A poultry business provides an important supplement to income from crops and livestock. Poultry farming helps to reduce overdependence on traditional commodities whose prices are not stable. Before you continue reading, complete the following activity.
Activity 1.3
Economic Value of Poultry (Time: 20 mins)
B. Use the space provided below to write down one compelling reason why you are interested in chicken farming.
Compare your answers with the information given in the following section.
Poultry Keeping & Management
Page 10
The economic value of poultry is one of the reasons why farmers take an interest in poultry farming. The following is the economic value of poultry keeping:
Provides income from the sale of chicks, meat and fertilized and unfertilized eggs;
The feathers are used to make stuffing for pillows mattresses and quilts
It supplement other incomes from livestock and crops
Poultry droppings are used as livestock (ruminant) feed, as it is a rich source of non-protein nitrogen and provides protein
Poultry manure increase soil fertility and can be sold as fertilizer
Poultry droppings make excellent slurry for biogas production plants
The by-products of a hatchery are used to make livestock protein supplements.
It can generate foreign exchange earnings through the export of poultry products
Used for recreation and also in poultry competitions and shows. In some communities they are kept for their crowing ability.
Use in special festivals, traditional ceremonies, as a gifts, and in traditional medicine.
We hope you now appreciate the economic value of poultry. Let us now estimate the cost of poultry production so that you can determine its profitability.
Economics of Poultry Production
Before you start a poultry business, it is important to determine whether it is profitable and sustainable. There are two costs of production that you should take into consideration. These are:
Fixed costs
Variable costs
Your profits will be greatest if you are able to keep your variable costs to a minimum. Let us look at each type of cost in further detail.
Fixed costs
These are the costs that remain constant throughout the management of one flock. These include the following:
Cost of day – old chicks (approximately 12%)
Housing depreciation
Depreciation of equipment
Depreciation of birds (laying birds) this does not apply to broilers.
Miscellaneous e.g. insurance of building and equipment
Variable costs
These are those costs that vary depending on the number of chicken you have. They include the following:
Feed costs – is the major item that takes 73% or over
Labour cost – 7%
Mortality – 5% throughout the growing period
Fuel for brooding and litter – 2%
Veterinary and pharmaceutical costs – 3%
Transport and marketing costs – 10%
