- Meat and eggs are tastier and preferred by most consumers to those obtained from commercial breeds
- Initial investment is less than that needed to keep commercial breeds
- More tolerant of harsh conditions, including diseases, than commercial breeds
- Can be fed on cheap, locally available feeds
- When allowed to range freely, they need little feeding or other care
- Women and youth often control income from chickens
- Local markets are readily available for both eggs and chickens
- Droppings are rich in nutrients: can be used for compost making, pond fertilizing and feed for livestock.
Why
improved management?
- Survival rate of chicks can be increased from three to eight out of ten.
- If you hatch your eggs and sell chicks, earnings can be much higher (up to 7-times higher) than if you simply sell the eggs.
- Simultaneous hatching of hens (so all chicks hatch at the same time) makes planning for vaccinations easier.
- By cooperating with neighbors, farmers with small flocks can access vaccines at more affordable rates.
- Planning your production to meet high seasonal demand – such as at Christmas, Easter and other festivals can greatly increase your profits.
- If hens are prevented from hatching their own eggs or brooding chicks, they will start to lay again more quickly – after just 21 days, instead of the usual three months.
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