Five challenges of starting a poultry farming business in Africa and solution

Poultry farming business is one of the most important and profitable aspect of livestock farming business especially in Kenya and Nigeria. But like every other business, there are risks and challenges involved. Do you intend venturing into poultry farming but you would like to know the risks and challenges that you will be facing? Then i advice you read on.

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Challenges of Starting a Poultry Farming Business

1. Poultry farming has a longer pay back period

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2. It is Labor intensive

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3. Pests such as rats, ants, etc and predators such as hawks, snakes can cause massive loss

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1. Lack of support from the government: Taking a close look at some African countries today, you will attest to the fact that the government shows little or no interest in poultry farming. The government is more interested in other sectors thereby not showing concern to poultry farming and this brings discouragement to the poultry farmers.

Even the assumed agricultural loan the government provided cannot be accessed because of the stringent conditions attached. So, if you are interested in starting a poultry farming business, then you must be prepared to go it alone without looking to the government for help.

2. High start-up capital: The very first factor you have to give serious consideration to is capital. Just like every other business, poultry farming needs sufficient and proper funding. This is because the amount of capital you have to invest has a lot to do with the level of success you would achieve in poultry farming. If you have enough capital, you would be able to put facilities that would increase your productivity in place.

You cannot do well as a livestock farmer, especially poultry farming when you don’t have enough fund. You need money to purchase a land for the farm, to construct and equip the farm, to hire and pay staff/laborers and also to feed and provide health care for your birds.

Read also: How to minimize poultry feed wastage

Without proper funding, you will struggle to keep your business afloat but with enough capital; business is made easier. So it is advisable that you do your financial analysis very well and ensure you have access to cash because nothing kills a business faster than lack of money.

3. Outbreak of diseases: When the environment is dirty, disease and infection is inevitable. Birds like chicken are very sensitive to environmental changes. If the poultry environment is not properly taken care of, the chickens will be exposed to diseases like bacteria infection. So as a poultry farmer, you must ensure that the poultry environment is kept clean and disinfected.

You must avoid bringing in contaminated equipment, vehicle,and foot wears. You must always de-worm your birds and check them constantly for exo-parasites such as mites. Also, visitors should not be allowed into the poultry environment and ensure that you sterilize your hands before touching the birds.

4. Non availability and affordability of vaccines: In the agro-allied industry, especially poultry farming; this particular challenge affects the small scale poultry farmers more because; unlike the industrial or commercial poultry farmers who can afford the vaccines, the small scale poultry farmers can’t afford the vaccines.

5. Adulteration and high cost of poultry food: The price of poultry food is quite costly and birds consume a lot. So most poultry farmers economize or ration the food given to the birds and this affects the output. Also, adulterated poultry food flooding the market is another challenge for poultry entrepreneurs. This is because the adulteration utters the necessary nutrients the birds need in order to grow well, thus making them unhealthy and reduces their immunity to diseases. So normally we advice farmers to buy feed mill and make food themselves.

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