Broiler Production in Ghana: How to succeed as a broiler farmer

©Shutterstock Chicken broilers. Poultry farm

Poultry products are the most widely consumed products in Ghana. And for that reason, the poultry industry has the potential to be the biggest in the country, unfortunately, several factors have hampered the industry because the full potential of the industry is yet to be exploited.

The average Ghanaian consumes poultry products particularly meat or eggs once or twice in a day. Egg production is very predominant in the country because of the absence or lack of competition from foreign products.

Same cannot be same about broiler Production – largely because the alternative for consumers is cheaper. Imported chicken is less expensive compared to chicken produced in Ghana.

You have more poultry farmers who prefer to invest in egg production. Layers take 16 weeks before they start laying eggs. The cost of feeding them until they start laying eggs is huge. This discourages so many new investors. Broilers take 6 to 8 weeks until they are ready for the market. Their fast-growing nature appeals to many farmers but the problem associated is one and only one: MARKET FOR THE BIRDS.

All things being equal, consumers will go for chicken which is cheap. That has discouraged so many farmers from investing in broiler Production.

What are some of the ways poultry farmers can use to get demand for broilers?

Here, we seek to give answers.

Producing broilers for occasions

It’s an undeniable fact that poultry products are the most popular source of protein for many Ghanaian homes. And chicken is consumed by many families during general festivities such as Christmas, Eid, Easter et al.

6 to 12 weeks to the celebration of these festivities, it’s important to start producing the broilers. Demand for chicken hit its crescendo during these periods. People usually prefer to buy live chicken compared to frozen.

Broiler farmers are likely to make a lot of money during this period.

Marketing broilers to Restaurants, Hotels etc

Form cooperative associations with other broiler producers

Broiler producers are encouraged to prepare professional proposals and share them with hotels, restaurants, eateries et al. They require a lot of chicken in cooking for their customers. Imported frozen chicken has always been said to have some health concerns so many restaurants and hotels prefer fresh live chicken. As a broiler producer brand yourself well and surely you’ll get clients to buy from you.

Form cooperative associations with other broiler producers

It is always said that, two heads are better than one. It is important for broiler producers to come together and form a cooperative union and negotiate with retailers of poultry chicken. This helps to get a better price, clients and a common voice.

Scout for buyers from house to house with posters

Marketing is said to be the creation of awareness about the existence of a certain product or service. Don’t stay in your poultry farm and expect people to know you have broilers and they will come and buy. Go out there and tell people you have broilers to sell. You may never know who may be interested in buying your products.

Design posters and put them in strategic. You may never know who will see it.

Create a page on Facebook and market your broilers

As has been explained earlier, it is important to create awareness of the existence of broilers. Facebook is the biggest platform momentarily to sell your products. You have so many people on that platform and of course, you may never know who will see your advertisements and further give you the cash you are so much interested in.

Conclusion: As has been said earlier, selling broilers is difficult due to obvious reasons but with the strategies outlined, surely you’ll get your broilers sold.