Tag Archives: Farm Management

Reasons Why Large-Scale Poultry Farms Have Lower Production Costs

Have you ever wondered why your competitors’ products may be significantly cheaper than yours, yet they continue to make massive profits margins? During the recent hike in chicken feed prices, there were calls to enforce a fixed pricing strategy for all Ghanaian poultry farmers. Despite the increase in feed prices, larger poultry farms were still charging relatively lower prices for their eggs. This forced some smaller farmers to attempt replicating the low price strategy to compete with their larger counterparts (this, of course, was a wrong decision). As you’d imagine, many small scale poultry farmers had to close down their farms since it was unsustainable for them to keep charging extremely low prices while the cost of production kept skyrocketing. With that out of the way, let’s delve straight into some reasons why larger-scale operations almost always incur a relatively lower cost per unit production.

How Many Birds Should You Start Rearing as a Beginner?

People usually ask me for advice on the advisable number of birds, especially layers, to start rearing as a beginner poultry farmer. In the past, I used to advise them to begin by raising 200 layers. Because 200 layers could potentially bring in a monthly profit of GH₵ 700 so in my opinion, this is the minimum number of birds you should raise if you want to make any significant financial return from poultry farming. However, I have now toned down on this advice. Because for instance, if someone has GH₵ 120,000+ that she’s willing to lose, then it is not a bad idea for her to rear 1000 birds as a starter.

Is It a Good Idea to Rent a Poultry Farm?

Around December 2021, I had a client who I was helping with record-keeping. She’s a poultry farmer, and what I found striking about her operations is that she was renting her poultry houses. Initially, I thought renting a poultry farm was a terrible idea, but upon careful reflection, I realized there was more to this than meets the eye. So I urge you to keep reading and have an open mind while I discuss the merits and demerits of renting a poultry farm.

Is It Still a Good Idea to Start a Poultry Farm in Ghana?

farmers. Currently, if you want to rear 200 layers, you must prepare to wave a sum of GH₵ 9,000+ goodbye. Oh, wait! You must be thinking GH₵ 9000 is the total startup cost for starting a 200-layer farm. You couldn’t be any further from reality. That amount mentioned will only cover the cost of feed for the first eight months. I have already spoken about the reason why you should make a budget for eight months. Meanwhile, around November 2020, feed costs for the first eight months only amounted to around GH₵ 5,000 for 200 layers.

Why Financial Literacy Is the Key to Success in Livestock Production

Succeeding in livestock farming goes beyond just knowing how to rear animals. Several other factors come into play such as knowing how to make a budget, compensating your employees appropriately and knowing how to expand your farm sustainably.

Why People Need to Take Livestock Farming More Seriously

Gradually, more people in Ghana, especially the youth, are starting to find agriculture more attractive. However, I find it interesting that many of those I’ve met would have owned some chickens, goats, sheep and occasionally, some pigs, yet most of them (farmers) have made little to no effort to advance the business side of things.

Why Pig Farmers Should Consider Partnership

I recently published an article about how pig farming could literally change your life. People will read articles like this and think pig farming is highly lucrative, and rightly so. However, the mistake most people make is that they tend to want to enjoy the profits alone. They forget that with most things in life, there are always positives and negatives. Obviously, getting huge profits off a pig farm is very positive, but do you know what isn’t so positive? Having to potentially invest hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis. Where are you even going to get this money?

New Poultry Feed Prices & Their Implications

Poultry farming is no longer a profitable business. I am going to sell off all my birds – a farmer lamented. This and many more complaints have been brought about by the recent hike in feed prices. Around November 2020, you could get a 50kg Layer mash for GH₵ 93. Fast forward to July 2021, the price is now around GH₵ 137 (a 47% increase in feed prices in just seven months). As gloomy as this sounds, all hopes of succeeding in poultry farming is not lost yet, and I will explain why.

How Do You Know Your Poultry Farm Is Making Progress?

Recently, a poultry farmer complained to me about how his poultry farm was draining him financially. Believe it or not, his farm was making progress. I know by now you are wondering how a farm can be making absolutely nothing for its owner, but I’m here claiming that the farm is still making progress. Well, you’ll soon find out why.