©Shutterstock The modern and new automated integrated poultry farm.
The government of Ghana has hinted that by the end of the year 2023, there shall be a ban on importation of poultry products, particularly frozen chicken into the country.
This directive, should it come into being, will imply that there will be a surge in demand for poultry products – and for that reason – local poultry farmers will have to work hard to be ready to meet the new demand.
Obviously, demand cannot be met with the current old-age strategies being used currently. The only way the demand will be met is by increasing capital investment in the industry. Such a huge influx of cash will mean that the farmer can go fully automated. The rewards for such are enormous.
I would recommend to any potential client (new farmers in this case), if they have the means, to consider automation.
What’s automation in poultry farming and what are the benefits? Automation is the use of automatic equipment in the farming process to increase productivity. Some benefits of automation include more efficient use of materials, better product quality, improved safety and lower labour costs.
This is an example of how automation can make your work easier as a poultry farmer; you don’t need to be moving up and down trying to get the water troughs full. An automated system ensures that the main tank is connected to the drinker at all times. Also, eggs can be collected into a specialized chamber when the battery cage system is used, therefore, cannibalism in the form of egg pecking is eliminated.
We always encourage people to make sure they prepare very well financially before deciding to get into the industry. That said, you can start with the deep litter system and gradually automate your farm if you can’t get the needed capital upfront – what matters is you have a grand vision and take the baby steps toward achieving it.
Pkom 