Feed right, sell smart: Expert chicken farming tips for small-scale producers

Makgomo Phiri, an agricultural advisor with the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, urged poultry farmers not to compromise the quality of feed in an effort to save money.

“Do not underfeed chickens or any other livestock just because you want to cut costs,” Phiri said. She advised farmers to seek technical advice on proper feeding methods. “If changing from one feed brand to another, do not do it abruptly. Introduce the new feed gradually and monitor the results.”

She encouraged farmers to compare feed brands through small trials. She suggested separating animals into different poultry houses or camps and feeding each group a specific brand, following the brands’ feeding guidelines, so results can be compared. That way, farmers can make informed decisions.

Where space is limited, she suggested farmers compare feed performance between production cycles by introducing different feed brands to new batches and monitoring the outcomes.

Produce for the Market
Phiri also encouraged farmers to identify markets before production begins.

It is time to move away from producing and hoping to sell, she said. The model farmers should follow is to produce for a specific market.

Farmers should also consider customer preferences and the ages of birds when they’re planning production. Instead of waiting for chickens to mature fully, farmers can supply younger birds to other producers to continue rearing them.

Some customers prefer lean chickens, whereas others want fat ones. Farmers should understand these preferences and plan accordingly.

Phiri added that understanding local buying patterns can help farmers time production more effectively. In a rural community, for example, it is good to know when demand for younger or older chickens is highest. Farmers should also take note of social grant and salary payment dates, as these influence when customers have disposable income.

Government Support Available
Phiri reminded farmers that the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development offers various forms of support. Field officers can explain which programmes farmers may qualify for, whether financial support, feed assistance or other inputs. Every application is assessed on its own merits, but farmers who need support should come forward and seek advice.

Good Care, Good Nutrition
Ngwako Rameetse, an animal production technician with Epol, stressed the importance of proper chick management.

He said day-old chicks should weigh at least 40 g on arrival, and require balanced nutrition for healthy development. The first seven days are critical because the chicks need time to adapt to their environment, feed and water.

Rameetse strongly discouraged poultry farmers from using pig feed to fatten chickens. Pig feed does not contain the right nutrient balance for chickens, he said. Protein and energy levels are not suitable for proper poultry growth and development.

He added that using pig grower feed can also affect the taste and quality of broiler meat.

He further encouraged farmers not to neglect biosecurity measures, warning that diseases such as Gumboro and Newcastle can severely affect flocks.

Artificial Insemination for Better Genetics
Freddy Manamela, an animal production lecturer at Tompi Seleka College of Agriculture in Marble Hall, highlighted the importance of genetics in livestock production.

Many rural livestock herds face genetic limitations, and buying pure-bred bulls is often too expensive for small-scale farmers. Artificial insemination, Manamela said, allows farmers to improve livestock genetics at a much lower cost than buying a bull. It also reduces the risk of injuries during mating.

Although government does not supply semen for artificial insemination, the Directorate for Genetic Resources in the national Department of Agriculture provides training on artificial insemination and related reproductive technologies. And the directorate can direct farmers to accredited suppliers of quality semen.