Poultry farming is the husbandry of domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese, primarily for the purpose of producing meat or eggs. Most people are coming to this business because of the high returns that can be obtained in a short period of time. Layers are chickens raised for eggs, whereas broilers are chickens raised for meat.

Methods of poultry farming
Farmers use a number of different methods to achieve the best results, including intensive and free-range farming.

Intensive farming
Intensive farming is a method of increasing production while controlling costs. To accomplish this, animals are kept at high stocking densities in confined spaces on a large scale. Modern poultry equipment and technology are used to control environmental conditions such as the climate in which these birds are kept.
Layers do not thrive in winter, resulting in a reduction in egg production, but in controlled environments, the climate can be kept at the right conditions throughout the year, allowing layers to produce all year.

Free-range farming
Free-range farming is an approach that allows animals to roam freely for some of the day rather than being confined for the entire 24 hours. The area that is roamed is usually fenced, but this still allows chickens to move around freely and behave naturally. With free range farming, you have limited control over what the chickens consume.

Period of expansion
Hens (layers) begin laying eggs between the ages of 16 and 21 weeks, and some breeds can lay up to 300 eggs per year. After 25 weeks of age, production may begin to decline.

Broilers are frequently raised in an intensive environment, reaching slaughter weight between the ages of 5 and 9 weeks. In the first week, broilers can gain 300 percent of their body weight. These birds are raised in large open structures known as growout houses, rather than cages. Growout houses have ventilation and heating systems, and a single growout house measuring 400/500 ft long and 40/50 ft wide can house up to 20 000 broilers.

Feeding
Chickens are omnivores and will eat almost anything, but a proper feed diet should include corn, soybean (high protein), omena, and additional vitamins and minerals to ensure the chickens' nutritional needs are met. Poor feed quality causes slow growth, low egg production, and makes chickens susceptible to disease.

Antibiotics
Antibiotic-treated chickens grow 50 percent faster, lay more eggs, have lower mortality, and are less ill. Chickens typically reach market weight more quickly and at a lower cost.

Advantages of Poultry Farming
•Poultry farming does not require a lot of capital to get started as a business. It is entirely possible to start on a small scale.
•High and rapid returns on investment in a very short period of time, with returns accessible within 10 weeks of starting the business.
•Ease of expansion and rapid increase in production.
•High demand, chicken is consumed globally and is in high demand.
•Because a chicken is considered a domesticated animal, no special licences or permits are required.
•Takes up little space and can be started in your own backyard.
•Needs little water for drinking and cleaning; one litre is enough for 5 chickens per day.
•Marketing costs are lower because chickens are not usually sold directly from the farmer to the consumer, but rather through markets and other establishments.
•Ease of access to capital from banks and the government.

Poultry Equipment
To get started, you don't need much machinery or equipment, but if you want to produce commercially, you'll need Poultry equipment to meet the demands of running a commercial poultry farm.

•Feeding system.
•Drinking / watering system.
•Climate control system.
•Housing.
•Adequate flooring.
•Bird transport.
•Medicator / vaccinator