Introduction
A great way to settle into a new country is by kick-starting a new business. Not only does this become a source of additional income, but it also helps you quickly settle into the ways of the place and build your network of buyers and vendors.
If your new home boasts of a large backyard, setting up a poultry farm can be a fruitful idea. With minimal initial investment and good planning, this home-bound business can soon become a source of steady income for you. If you’re wondering how to get started on building your poultry farm, here are some pointers to help you out.
Find The Most Suitable Chicken Breed
Different countries have different breeding and consumption patterns. As a newbie poultry farmer, you must keep a few factors in mind when choosing a chicken breed. First up, the breed you choose must be easy to manage. Any breed with complex behavioural patterns will only leave you under constant stress. Additionally, you also must choose a breed that is easily available in your area and thrives in the weather conditions you are in. If you choose a breed from another region, chances are all your effort may go to waste as the breed may not survive in your city.
For Australia, the most suitable chicken breeds include Leghorn chicken, Rhode Island Red, Sussex chickens and Australorp.
Further, some breeds are ideal for meat while others are more suitable if you intend your main revenue to be eggs. Choose your chicken breeds to suit your revenue goals.
Check Local Laws
Kickstarting your own business is one of the easiest ways to settle into a new country. It helps you make valuable contacts and blend into the community, all along having something to keep you busy. But, not without getting through the local laws first. If you are considering setting up a chicken coop in your backyard, make sure you visit your local municipality or city council to find out the pertinent laws around home-run businesses, particularly backyard chicken coops. There may be restrictions on the number of chickens or coops you can begin with, in addition to obtaining a no-objection permit from your neighbours.
While there are little to no laws to build a coop in a residential area, it is mandated that you comply with the council regulations and make your coop escape-proof. What’s more, your hen house must be no taller than 3 metres or larger than 15 sq metres.
Prepare for Weather Contingencies
Extreme weather can wreak havoc in your coop. ensure you use every idea in the book to make operations easy.
Add a gutter to the side of the coop to collect water when it rains. A great idea to prevent water from splashing everywhere is using poultry nipples. Create a thorough rainwater system so your coop doesn’t turn into an unruly puddle every rainy season.
Winter calls for another set of operational exercises such as using a heated water poultry system that keeps drinking water at warm temperatures and prevents it from freezing. Further, you will want to gather eggs more often in the winter season, to avoid them from freezing.
In summer, give your coop plenty of ventilation and set up a water cooler or a large fan that keeps the coop from getting very hot.
Choose The Right Kind of Coop
This is one of the biggest determinants for the success of your backyard poultry farm. Choosing the right chicken coops for sale involves considering several factors. First up, you need to get the size right. More often than not, people end up choosing a smaller coop and regret it later. Remember, chickens multiply quickly. So, always factor in more chickens than you anticipate. Choose a coop made of a thick asphalt roof that offers both heat and moisture protection.
A coop with a slide-out tray and easy access to nesting boxes can make cleaning and the collection of eggs easy. What’s more, a walk-in coop makes human access easy, ensuring you can reach your chickens promptly in case of a distress situation. A strong mesh wire and lockable doors keep your chickens safe and ensure all predators are at bay.
Get The Right Kind of Help
Running a chicken coop is a labour-intensive job. Ensure you have the right team by your side to help you make your operations smooth. From collecting eggs, refilling water, maintaining cleanliness and ensuring vigilance, running a coop requires tremendous human involvement. Split the chores with someone meticulous, punctual and gives attention to detail.
Wrap Up
Setting up a backyard chicken coop may seem like a daunting task, but soon the entire exercise becomes a well-oiled machine that offers you steady returns. We hope the above ideas help you in setting up a coop in your backyard.
