chicken poultry business plan

Poultry Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Poultry Farm Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their poultry farms. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a poultry farm business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Poultry Farm Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your poultry farm as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Poultry Farm

If you’re looking to start a poultry farm, or grow your existing poultry farm, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your poultry farm in order to improve your chances of success. Your poultry farming business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Poultry Farms

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a poultry farm are personal savings, credit cards, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans, bank loans, and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and USDA FSA loans are the most common funding paths for poultry farm.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a chicken farm.

If you want to start a poultry farm or expand your current one, you need a business plan. We detail each section of a traditional business plan for a poultry farming business.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of poultry farm you are operating and its status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a poultry farm business that you would like to grow, or are you operating poultry farm businesses in multiple locations?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the poultry farm industry. Discuss the type of poultry farm you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of poultry farm you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of poultry farms:

• Breeder Farms : this type of poultry farm produces hatching eggs for delivery to the hatchery. After the 21 day incubation period, the hatchery then delivers the baby chicks to the broiler houses.
• Broiler Farms: this type of farm produces a 2.5 lb. to 8 lb. bird in 4 to 8 weeks which is processed for various types of retail sale to consumers, grocery stores or fast food chains as whole birds, cut-up breast, wings, thigh, drumsticks, deboned breast meat, or further processed pieces.
• Pullet Farms: this type of poultry farm produces pullets and roosters to be delivered to a breeder hen house at 20-22 weeks old when they are sexually mature to breed and lay eggs.

In addition to explaining the type of poultry farming business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of chickens and/or turkeys produced, number of production contracts, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the poultry farm industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the poultry farm industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your poultry farming business plan:

• How big is the poultry farm industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your poultry farm business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your target market.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your poultry farming business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: processors, grocery stores, and restaurants.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of poultry farm business you operate. Clearly, processors would respond to different marketing promotions than restaurants, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most poultry farm businesses primarily serve customers living in their same region, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your Poultry Farm Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other poultry farm businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes producers of other meat such as beef, pork, or fish, as well as producers of meat alternatives. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other poultry farms with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be poultry farms located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What kinds of poultry do they produce (breeders, broilers, pullets)?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you use superior production methods?
• Will you provide services that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a poultry farm business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of poultry farm company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to traditional poultry, will you provide organic or cage-free poultry?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the products and services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your poultry farm company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your poultry farm located near a processing facility, near a transportation hub, etc. Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your poultry farm marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in trade papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local agriculture extension offices
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your poultry farm, including animal care / feeding, flock supervision, animal transportation, sourcing feed, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sign your 20th production contract, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your poultry farm to a new location.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your poultry farm’s ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing poultry farms. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing farms or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you supply 50 restaurants, or produce 2,000 birds for processing each month? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your poultry farming business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a poultry farm business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your farm title or lease, or blueprints of the production facility.  

Putting together a business plan for your poultry farm is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the poultry farm industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful poultry farming business.  

Poultry Farm Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my poultry farm business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Poultry Farm Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of poultry farm business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a poultry farm business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of poultry farm businesses?

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Poultry Farm business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

The Big Book Project

Agribusiness Training & Startup Tools

Poultry Business Blueprint: How to Plan, Launch, and Grow a Profitable Poultry Farm

Last updated on November 15, 2021 by Temi Cole 1 Comment

I’m about to share with you my 15-point blueprint for writing a winning poultry farming business plan.

(Step-by-step.)

The best part?

You’re going to get linked to LOTS of business planning resources including real-life case studies within these steps.

Let’s take a look together…

• Step #1: Get ‘The Most Complete’ Poultry Farming Business Plan Template
• Step #2: Download “The Poultry Farm Business Plan Analysis Playbook”

Step #3: Download Poultry Plan It (eBook)

Step #4: download poultry project reporter 2.0 – insider’s guide, step #5: download sample poultry plan data, step #6: use business management templates (keep sheet).

• Step #7: Download Business Records for Poultry Keepers eBook (USDA Bulletin 1614)

Step #8: Subscribe To Poultry Project Reporter 2.0 (Fill-In-The-Gap PDF Builder) Software

Step #9: download zero debt: poultry farming business plan (2021) pdf ebook, step #10: download grow agribusiness faster classes, step #11: download poultry project hub pdf ebook, step #12: take the poultry farmer’s business quiz, step #13: download poultry project planning toolkit ebook v.1, step #14: download poultry business start-up: recommended digital tools of the trade, step #15: get a 1-to-1 poultry farming business planning review, step #1: get the best poultry farming business plan template.

A poultry farming business plan template is usually the no.1 request I get asked for as the author of The Big Book Project.

Emails like this are a good example:

Up until now, it’s been an obvious MISS as part of The Big Book Project…

…ready-made business planning consultancy for the beginner.

I always had it in mind to plug in the gap.

It’s in me to do.

With the experience of 10+ years serving start-up entrepreneurs with strategic business planning consultancy…there are countless benefits to offer here.

However, I didn’t want to rush.

I wanted the solution I delivered to ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. And be handed over in a way that is:

Write Your Poultry Business Plan - in Just 90 Mins!

Poultry Project Reporter 2.0 - fastest way to write your project report online.

• self-explanatory
• self-driven

…the more flexible, yet comprehensive the planning materials are – the easier they will be to use and act on.

( And business does come down to action at the last .)

The Ultimate Poultry Farming Business Planning Template

My first step was to construct what I consider to be the most complete poultry farming business plan template possible.

The kind of thing that covers both bases of:

• helping to provide clarity to your thoughts for rolling out a successful poultry business launch
• communicating an attractive proposal to potential stakeholders and investors

Pouring in over 50,000+ hours of strategic business consulting experience which spans:

• global best practice insights and technology
• corporate currency exchange
• project management
• financial advisor and stockbroker
• freelance business management advisor

…I decided upon the following outline template:

Executive Summary

What is the business?

Why is it needed?

How will it deliver?

What are the financial rewards of investment?

Industry Analysis

Industry snapshot

SWOT & PESTLE (situational) analysis

Competitive forces

Vision & Mission Statement

Key function

Aspect of life

Product type

Scope and audience

Principles & promise

Feel good and standards

Poultry farm slogan

Competitive Analysis

Products and services

Marketing and sales

Key strengths

Marketing Strategy

Physical evidence

Leadership team

Professional profile

Financial Plan

Profit and loss

Balance sheet

Labour budget

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

It’s 38-parts that together spell out every critical element of poultry business success.

You simply won’t find a more comprehensive effort to fully load a poultry farming business plan with ALL ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS.

Want a breakdown of what each part really contains?

That’s EXACTLY what’s up next…

Step #2: Download The Poultry Farm Business Plan Analysis Playbook

As shared above, I’ve taken the time to draft what I am absolutely certain is THE market leading poultry farming business plan template – FULL STOP.

It’s got it all.

But what about the detail? And how should it be used?

Business planning analysis: the KEY to using my business plan template – like a PRO

Like so many business planning template solutions out there like bPlans, for example, they do a good job of setting a solid format, BUT…

…where they FALL SHORT is in giving you some real-life examples of how to APPLY the template .

In other words,

Most business planning tools out there don’t give you examples of how real poultry businesses measure up with the tool.

And because of this, those other planning tools leave you GUESSING what to do with it.

So you end up using it as a first-time pupil uses an exercise book:

Unskillfully and regrettably (“…don’t want to go back there again if I can help it…”).

When actually, what you NEED is a dynamic, “can’t put it down”, interactive ACTION plan – with bite.

…this is the reason I wrote this series of poultry farming business planning analyses.

Here’s what my business plan analysis will do for you…

To take all the guesswork and wandering out of planning your poultry business.

And to show you EXACTLY HOW a real-life poultry start-up success story marries up with my winning business planning formula…

…giving expert insight into how BEST to use the template to plan your own success.

The result?

(Way much better than just templates or homework…)

Step-by-step,   proven insights of what REALLY works and why in every step of writing your own poultry business plan.

= 1st rate consultancy & on-the-shoulder advice – at your own pace ( & at only a fraction of the price ).

You can access The Poultry Farming Business Plan Analysis Playbook here (Downloadable PDF version is available to paid subscribers )

So, why is an eBook the IDEAL partner to helping your write your poultry farming business plan?

(I’m glad you asked!)

Poultry Plan It: the blueprint to winning investment for your poultry business

Rather than present you with empty template boxes to fill out (which – let’s face it – offers zero value, both to you and potential investors)…

…instead,

My eBook called, Poultry Plan It – shows you EXACTLY how to:

• skillfully deliver and
• expertly pitch

…your poultry business plan to achieve 1 thing:

To Win Investment .

(Simple. My eBook “Poultry Plan It” shows you how to get investors to take your poultry business seriously .)

Read The Poultry Business - Like Never Before!

Chicken Snippets Newsletter - deep poultry analysis to sharpen your acumen, by email.

Does this eBook sound like what you need?

Try the first chapter called “ Poultry Plan It: Executive Summary ” right here .

Want to unlock the whole eBook as PDF download?

Become a paid subscriber and get “ Poultry Plan It ” by instant PDF download .

Have you ever wanted to see:

…how the financial PROs estimate future poultry investment returns?

…which poultry production models generate the most profit?

(I mean REALLY SEE?)

Then the Poultry Project Reporter 2.0: Insider’s Guide was written just for you.

Poultry Project Reporter 2.0 – Insider’s Guide: the ‘grain-by-grain’ financial analysis EVERY poultry business plan needs

I wrote the Poultry Project Reporter 2.0 – Insider’s Guide for two pressing reasons:

• …to plug in the gap of a general lack of ‘detailed, long hand’ financial poultry business calculations available online to help with planning profits.
• …a ‘case study based’ user guide for license holders of my proprietary software ‘Poultry Project Reporter’ – to find out ALL the inside hints and tips for producing rock solid financial projections.

Here’s a quick snippet of the level of breakdown I provide:

…literally, grain-by-grain, high precision detail.

BUT at the same time super simple to follow.

(With lots of visual content to really help you ‘get the picture’.)

Want to hear it from a reader?

This feedback email was sent by a start-up poultry farmer.

He emailed me within minutes of receiving a mailshot of a FREE chapter from the Insider’s Guide.

So what’s actually ‘ inside ‘ the Poultry Project Reporter 2.0 – Insider’s Guide?

A great question.

Here’s what you get:

Totally comprehensive and also a great handbook to accompany my proprietary software Poultry Project Reporter 2.0 .

Want to grab a copy of the PPR 2.0: Insider’s Guide?

Become a paid subscriber today and instantly get the inside track on financial planning for your poultry farm business.

Have a read of this:

…and there are many more requests like this in my inbox.

It seems when it comes to business planning help, poultry farmers and professionals alike are interested in scanning sample data too.

( Not just templates )

Sample papers: a GREAT way for self-assessing if your business plan is up to scratch

If you ask me, examples are without doubt the BEST way to learn.

Whenever I’m looking to work out a business model I always look for working models that already exist.

Never contrived or manufactured formulas.

As an adult, I don’t like to be spoon-fed. I learn best when I’m left a little room to figure things out myself.

Let’s take it back to class…

…why are past exam papers and examiner notes such a popular revision method?

SELF-ASSESSMENT.

(i.e. finding out for yourself how you measure up against standard.)

My preferred method of advanced learning.

And I don’t think I am alone in this.

This is exactly why I put together these sample poultry farming data plans – both layer and broiler models.

I left out any country bias, so these are a universal fit to any and every economy.

What do the samples contain?

There are 2 typical planning problems that these plans are designed to solve:

• Input and output VARIABLES,
• related to the SCALE and MODEL of your farm.

Master The Poultry Business - Like a Pro!

Poultry Courses Online - most actionable and interactive online poultry course.

In other words, these samples are shortcuts or crib notes for literally telling you if your planning progress is:

• en-route for success, or;
• taking a wrong turn .

I’ve arranged the samples according to the following attributes :

Broiler farming rearing models

• All-In-All-Out

Layer farming rearing models

Input/Output variable

• Feed consumption
• Production (meat or eggs)
• Broiler by product

These lists above are like ingredients to prescribed recipes.

Or, elements of an equation for solving a problem.

Mix them together in the right order and you answer critical questions within your poultry farm business plan.

Want an example?

The sample plans above will answer questions like,

“How much manure will a 2,000 bird broiler farm produce annually over 6 years, using the 4+1 rearing method?” Or, “How many eggs will a 5,000 layer farm produce annually over 6 years, using the 1+2 rearing method?”

Simply pull the relevant data set and immediately land your finger on the answer.

A convenient ‘plug-in’ to EVERY poultry farming business plan

Would you like a free sample?

Click on this link for a free egg production dataset for a 500-bird layer farm using 1+3 rearing system .

Now, are you ready for EVERYTHING?

Become a paid subscriber to gain instant access to ALL current sample plans PLUS future updates.

Another short falling of traditional business planning templates is that they are  start-up focused .

It makes the value gained from them short-lived.

Think of it this way…

When you’ve finally launched your business, that’s just the beginning and not the end.

At the very least, you should have another 6 years on top of actually running your business.

If your templates are ONLY valid for start-up,

Then what do you use to keep your ongoing plans in order ?

Crush investment risk with my business management templates

Arguably, running the business is a far more risky phase of investment – most of all because now you have made a material commitment.

Therefore, you carry the potential of loss.

And business management also just happens to be the most challenging discipline to hold.

Because you’ve got SO MUCH going on all at the same time.

And staying organised becomes more and more difficult with every day that goes by.

CHAOS costs …

• you lose foresight, you lose track of progress and ultimately you lose money.

ORGANISATION profits …

you gain vision, you gain awareness and ultimately make money.

Business Management Templates

These templates are designed to help you stay on top.

What’s included?

Advance Your Poultry Project - Into Maximum Profits!

Advanced Poultry Pickup - hands-on, 1-to-1 poultry business consultancy - anywhere.

Download the ‘Keep Sheet’ for future reference.

Want to start making business management plans?

Become a paid subscriber and access this suite of business management templates today.

Step #7: Download Business Records for Poultry Keepers eBook

This is a USDA eBook (United States Department of Agriculture – Farmers’ Bulletin 1614) from 1929.

(That’s right – it’s almost 100 years old!)

But testament to ‘things done well’…

…this evergreen piece of invaluable financial coaching for poultry farmers still holds true today, as when it was 1st published.

Business Records for Poultry Keepers: “Simply…DON’T attempt to write your poultry business plan without it.”

The motto of the eBook? “It literally pays for poultry farmers to keep records of current operations to guide their efforts in profitable directions.” In fact the book gives the following 6 great   reasons why you need this download : (1) “… reduce the guesswork in poultry farming by helping the farmer to determine the actual reasons for poultry profits and losses,” (2) “… show the relative efficiency of different methods of production and marketing,” (3) “…make it possible for a poultry keeper to compare his results with published information (benchmark) on many poultrymen’s problems,” (4) “… show the financial progress a poultry keeper has made in his business,” (5) “… furnish information for credit statements when funds are borrowed,” (6) “… help to prevent disputes by serving as a check on business dealings.”

What is included in this eBook?

Business Records for Poultry Keepers

• Usefulness of poultry records
• Receipts and expenses
• Egg-production record
• Labor record
• Sales records
• Records of eggs and poultry for household use
• Pen records
• Incubation and hatching records
• Diary or notes on management
• Making use of the records 

Want to pick up a copy?

Download the eBook here.

When I began writing The Big Book Project, I had one goal in mind:

To demystify investment proposal writing for start-up farmers.

By trawling the endless blog posts and comments in the small agribiz space online,

It became clear that MANY of us have the ambition to start up.

• see borrowing as the only root
• underestimate their business plan as just a means of getting a loan
• grossly misunderstand how to model production to make a profit

…and I desperately wanted to change turn this on its head.

Only, I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to go the traditional consulting route .

• Too expensive
• VERY limited
• Anti self-sufficiency ( clients grow dependant )

So, what were the alternatives to consulting?

• Perhaps, author a book
• Develop a proprietary software
• Run online courses

…these were just a few.

Then after extensive research and thinking things through…

…I settled for all 3 of the above alternatives, wrapped up into one package:

A book, plus bespoke software and an online course.

Enter: The Big Book Project

The Big Book Project ( https://thebigbookproject.org )

• An online eBook – pushed by a blog.
• A spin-off digital business planning tool called Poultry Project Reporter.
• And an online poultry farming course called Advanced Poultry Pick-Up.

In 2 years only,

the blog amassed 170,094 new search engine visitors  alone

PLUS , a little over 8,000 newsletter subscribers too.

Mission accomplished.

(Well, almost – “… but what about that software? “)

Actually, one of the most popular enquiries received through my blog is for help writing poultry business proposals .

With all the best intentions in the world, there’s just not enough of me to go around the entire subscriber base giving out 1-to-1 proposal writing help.

So, I did the next best thing.

I made my advice automated (with the help of some handy digital tools) and wrote it one time only.

The result was Poultry Project Reporter and now we have just launched version 2.

What is Poultry Project Reporter 2.0?

Poultry Project Reporter 2.0: the fastest way of writing a professional poultry farming proposal

If you are looking to write a watertight poultry business proposal,

Then this Poultry Project Reporter 2.0 is a solid investment for you.

Here’s why:

Essentially, all you have to do is type in your data into the input field and then leave the publishing (complete with PDF download) – even the calculations to PPR 2.0

Are you ready to take a closer look at Poultry Project Reporter? Take a look at the dedicated Poultry Project Reporter 2.0 website

Poultry farming as a topic is MASSIVE worldwide.

It seems, when it comes to the subject matter of poultry farming, every country is both ‘ stalking it ‘ and ‘ talking it ‘ online.

These stats from my blog above tell the tale of poultry farming and its popularity. It literally reaches every country in the world .

And despite all this talk about poultry farming business plans…

…I find a large percentage of the ‘audience’ has no capital funding availability (whether saved or borrowed) . Of course, this is totally natural and a reality for the majority, AND if you ask me a great ADVANTAGE.

Take this reader of my blog:

It seems many see a lack of capital as a barrier to entry when it comes to layer or broiler farming.

“But who said anything about needing significant capital to start up a profitable poultry business ?”

One of the BIGGEST attractions to poultry farming surely is the LOW BARRIER to entry , LOW SETUP costs and yet HIGH profitability and cash flow potential.

But as with many theories, I suppose it remains ‘up in the air (talked about)’ until someone makes it tangible…material…possible.

This is the principle that encouraged me to step up to the plate in an attempt to ‘bat out of the park’ all doubt surrounding it…

…and finally, answer the question:

Can you start up a poultry farm with zero capital?

Yes, you can start a poultry farm with no available capital.

Here’s how…

Zero Debt Poultry Farming: the MOST REWARDING way to start, scale and establish a leading egg or chicken business

In my line of work as a consultant (professional problem solver) – the one discipline that keeps my craft alive is RESEARCH.

And as such, I come across all kinds of neat fixes that may not be for the time I find them,

But are bound to come in handy some time.

So, much like a handyman or craftsman, not wanting to let anything go that could be of use,

I end up keeping a stash of these in a ‘kind of’ strategic toolbox.

When enough time passes by whilst researching related topics,

I get enough of a head of steam to begin compiling an eBook.

This is my process.

And using this I wrote ‘ Zero Debt Poultry: Business Startup Plan ‘.

It’s a strategic playbook and secret formula for how (with no borrowings or savings) you:

• turn your poultry startup idea into a market-leading farming enterprise
• BEFORE you yield your 1st egg or carcass .

Want the PDF download?

Become a paid subscriber today and download Zero Debt Poultry Business Startup Plan .

I had to refrain from using the phrase, “Masterclasses”…a bit presumptuous for my liking.

Aren’t we always needing to ‘add on’ – even after many years of experience? Are ever really the finished article?

Whatever your answer to those questions is,

I do think what is indisputable is the benefit of someone else’s EXPERIENCE when you don’t have any…

… experience saves loss …

…loss of:

…and in the case of business startup, the benefit of experience in some critical areas can be the difference between success and failure.

And where so much is riding on you making it work,

Getting the right experience is HIGHLY valued.

Equally, identifying the most advantageous area of learning carries importance.

So, what area of learning would you say has the most impact on farming success?

According to this study , ‘ Farm Business Management Skills a Missing Link For Smallholder Farmers: A Case Of Malingunde, Malawi ‘ (European Journal of Business and Innovation Research 2016): Just one of many studies which declare a link between business management discipline and better economic output . Other quotes from the study bear reference to previous works: “Generally, management is a human responsibility and skill that drives economic activities and development ( Oghojafor et al, 2012 ).” “Smallholder farmers need to be better equipped with business management skills if they are to play a central role in improving agricultural productivity ( Mohit, 2012 ).”

So, there you have it – business management is the most influential skill set you could acquire for succeeding with your poultry startup.

But is there really a shortage of business management material on the internet?

Not according to Google,

As you can see above, it took Google 0.6 seconds to return almost 6 BILLION results for the search term ‘business management’.

That’s a FLOOD of management content.

But…I ask:

• Is all of it good ? Or at least suitable for a startup poultry farmer?
• Also, where do you begin ?

To save you ENDLESS wandering from page to page online,

I have neatly packaged a power-packed portfolio of business management tutorials tailor-made for EVERY startup farmer…

…called “Grow AgriBusiness Faster Classes”

Grow AgriBusiness Faster Classes: instantly download 15 years of 1st class management expertise ( & speed up your poultry profits )

The purpose of these tutorials is to make common with you some of the most valuable business management lessons learned in my 15 years of management.

They span a corporate and independent consulting career, including:

• global best practice
• financial investments
• small business strategy

But the goal is simple…

…to make hard things simple for you to ‘master’ (…there, I’ve said it now…) to save you any potential material losses of getting it wrong.

These lessons should help you to get it right, 1st time.

The GREAT thing about these tutorials also is that they are all written from 1st hand experiences and lessons learned . Nothing academic – all true to life .

Here’s currently what is included :

Want to access the Grow AgriBusiness Faster Classes?

Become a paid subscriber today and fast forward your management abilities.

Are you currently working on a feasibility plan & business proposal for your future poultry farm?

Then this resource is the ideal pocketbook and project reference guide for equipping you with EVERYTHING you need to draft a winning plan.

It’s called the Poultry Project Hub…

Poultry Project Hub: a jampacked project resource library giving you 100’s of angles on planning optimal profits

This has to be the most plentiful online digital resource for assisting your poultry business proposal writing .

Here’s a quick round-up of its contents:

In short, the Poultry Farming Project Hub contains:

“…over 20,501 words, 200+ rows of data tables, as well as 30+ screenshots/images, sample calculations, case studies and more.”

If you are looking for:

• sample plans
• expert poultry business consultancy
• step-by-step calculations
• definitions and equations for investment metrics
• case studies
• detailed ‘explainer’ articles on hard to understand model concepts

…then this is an unmissable opportunity for you.

Visit the library and its FREE resources now.

Want to download the entire library in PDF instead?

Become a paid subscriber and get the PDFs.

This is very simply – a little bit of light relief if you are finding the whole exercise of business planning a little…frustrating.

There are 15 questions in this quiz.

Each covering a key poultry farming discipline.

It’s multiple choice and nothing too heavy.

Ideally, you might use them to sharpen up your general strategic business awareness.

Try the poultry business quiz.

I made this as a complementary guide to be read alongside sample poultry plans.

To help you better DIRECT the planning process.

To have you asking the right questions and taking the right approaches to assemble your poultry business plan successfully.

Plus, I provide insight into:

• production modelling options and,
• uncover flawed assumptions.

These points above are often sticking points and wrong turns for many when building a plan.

This eBook helps you avoid the loss of time and effort getting tied up in with grey spots.

And here’s how…

Poultry Planning Toolkit eBook: avoid common planning errors by having this on your desk as you work

I’d go as far as saying that you shouldn’t begin writing your poultry farm business plan UNTIL you’ve read this.

It does the job of ironing out all the usual sticking points that trouble and prolong planning.

Issues such as:

• modelling choices
• how best to plan your earnings
• how to measure profitability
• how to do capital planning

…are opened up with ease and made plain.

Here’s the chapter line-up :

• Broiler vs. Layer
• Reverse Engineer your Earnings
• Modelling for Cash Flow
• Frameworking
• Cost & Price Inputs
• Gross Profits
• Capital Planning
• Return on Investment
• Scenario Planning

I designed it to answer ALL the key strategic planning questions.

I’d say, the real value of this eBook is that it prevents false starts by filling in the common knowledge gaps .

A great time saver.

Take a few minutes to read a chapter for free .

Want to download the entire PDF eBook?

Become a paid subscriber today and get expert direction for writing a successful poultry business plan.

This one is quite simple.

If it’s ever cross your mind to ask,

“Hey Temi, what website software do you use?”

“What service do you use to send out those email messages?”

For example, I use WPMUDEV as my web hosting partner. They are just right for The Big Book Project currently. It’s true that there are many cheaper web hosting services out there, But the operative word here is * SERVICE* . When I fail, they pick up the pieces and always ensure The Big Book Project is constantly online. No downtime, no curveballs, no disasters…you see everything coming LONG before it hits, giving plenty of time to react successfully…PLUS, when trouble hits, they REALLY know how to rescue a WordPress website . Hands down. I have no complaints and many good things to say…if you are looking for an expert WordPress website support team – I couldn’t recommend them highly enough . Learn more about WPMUDEV here. (The link above goes to their website and of course costs you nothing. If you decide to hire them, I get a small payment back. The money side has no influence though. I personally use them and happily recommend their service.)

My other tools of the trade including:

• graphic design tool
• online payment gateway
• document management tools
• email marketing platform
• accounting program (inc. invoicing, quotations etc).

…are all neatly listed in the crib sheet.

It’s exhaustive. And comes with 10 years of self-employment and business ownership experience.

Lots of valuable, ‘hard-to-find’ gems to give you plenty of advantage.

(*Plus there are some GREAT time and budget savers in here to help you save the pennies, without compromising on  quality.)

Want to download my Digital Tools of The Trade crib sheet?

Become a paid subscriber today and get a headstart on digital business services.

Whilst I don’t write business plans, I do review them from time to time.

From your point of view, it might be a useful pointer in the right direction.

Just the thing you need to get you out of a rut and to finally complete your plan.

A bit like this:

…always good to see REAL LIFE RESULTS gained by readers of The Big Book Project who put the advice into action .

Want me to take a look at your poultry farm business plan?

Become a paid subscriber today and book your business plan review.

Now over to you…

Are you currently writing a business plan for your poultry farm?

Have you already drafted your plan?

Either way, I’d be interested to hear from you.

Leave a comment below.

Reader Interactions

Write your poultry project proposal in just 90 mins.

February 22, 2024 at 1:44 pm

My first time to visit this web site. I am impressed and subscribed soon. Hope I will be benefited from the package. Inspired by quick response of the system and tells how efficient and profitable the poultry business too. I will keep myself long in the transaction. Regards, Assefa T.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join 15,000 Subscribers…

Get The #1 Poultry Farming Newsletter

The most in-depth guide to poultry farming anywhere , right now.

– Kwasi Jones

Receive all the ‘insider tips’ they never speak about to help you:

• ✔️ Write a plan that actually gets investment
• ✔️ Decide if poultry will be profitable for you
• ✔️ Avoid pitfalls like mortality with key procedures
• ✔️ Understand the hidden benefits of production models

Type in your email below…

Poultry Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Poultry Farm Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Poultry Farm business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Poultry Farms.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Poultry Farming business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Smith Poultry Farm is a new farm business located in Mason City, Iowa. The business is a newly established farm founded by John and Sue Smith. As native Iowans, the couple has spent their life in the farming industry as their families have established farms throughout Iowa. Currently, there is a poultry shortage throughout the midwestern United States as some farms have been forced to shut down their business due to rising costs, labor shortage, and higher technology standards. John and Sue have decided to take this opportunity to alleviate the poultry shortage as well as finally establish the farm they have been planning to do for the past six years.

As native Iowans, John and Sue have already recruited a team of farmhands that have extensive experience working in poultry farms. Most of them have been recently laid off from other poultry farms that have shut down their operations.

John and Sue plan on starting with 5,000 chickens, 500 turkeys, and 100 ducks on 10 acres of land. Their business operations will be centered around daily processes and procedures to tend to the chickens and prepare them for packaging for resale and distribution.

Product Offering

The following are the products that Smith Poultry Farm will provide:

• Chicken for consumption
• Turkey for consumption
• Ducks for consumption

Customer Focus

Smith Poultry Farm will target all residents residing in northern Iowa and throughout the state. They will target families, individuals, supermarkets, large retail chains, and restaurants.

Management Team

Smith Poultry Farm will be owned and operated by John and Sue Smith. They will recruit a very experienced and knowledgeable operator to manage the day-to-day operations of the poultry farm.

John Smith was born and raised on a local farm and has been working in farms most of his life. He left to pursue his agriculture degree from Iowa State and returned to work full-time at his father’s large farm. That farm produces beef, poultry, pork, and vegetables. Once he married Sue, the couple decided that they would begin to save up to pursue a farm of their own.

Sue Smith was raised on a farm as well. Once she graduated from high school, she attended Iowa State to pursue a degree in Business Administration. It was there where she met John and planned for their future farm where he would manage the farm operations and she would be in charge of the financial management and administration of the poultry farm operations.

Success Factors

Smith Poultry Farm will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Ownership has extensive experience and knowledge in the poultry farming industry.
• Owners will invest in the latest technology and equipment to make their poultry farm the most superior in the Midwest.
• Smith Poultry Farm will breed high quality chickens, turkeys, and ducks in order to produce the freshest and quality poultry.

Financial Highlights

Smith Poultry Farm is seeking $500,000 in debt financing to launch its property management business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the farm land and purchasing the necessary equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, mortgage, and marketing costs for the poultry farm. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Purchase 10 acres of farmland: $100,000
• Farm equipment, supplies, and materials: $100,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $50,000
• Working capital: $100,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Smith Poultry Farm.

Company Overview

Who is Smith Poultry Farm?

Smith Poultry Farm is a new poultry farm business located in Mason City, Iowa. The business is a newly established poultry farm founded by John and Sue Smith. As native Iowans, the couple has spent their life in the farming industry as their families have established farms throughout Iowa. Currently, there is a poultry shortage throughout the midwestern United States as some farms have been forced to shut down their business due to rising costs, labor shortage, and higher technology standards. Growing up in the farming industry, John and Sue have decided to take this opportunity to alleviate the poultry shortage as well as finally establish the farm they have been planning to do for the past six years. The couple plans to raise chickens, turkeys, and ducks to produce poultry for food consumption as well as eggs. Once the business is established, the couple will add more birds to the farm and purchase additional land.

As native Iowans, John and Sue have already recruited a team of farmhands that have extensive experience working in poultry farms. Most of them have been recently laid off from other poultry farms that have shut down their operations. John and Sue have already identified the lead farmhand who will assist John in the day to day farm operations oversight.

Smith Poultry Farm History Smith Poultry Farm is owned and operated by John and Sue Smith, Iowa natives who have extensive experience in farm operations and business administration. John has worked for his father’s large farm for most of his life and wants to finally pursue his own poultry farm since a number of poultry farms have ceased operations due to increased labor and distribution costs. John has already pursued a number of local grocery stores, large retail stores, and restaurants to have contracts to be their sole poultry distributor.

Since incorporation, Smith Poultry Farm has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Smith Poultry Farm, LLC to transact business in the state of Iowa.
• Has 6 contracts in place to provide poultry for local restaurants, grocery stores, and large retail chains.
• Reached out to numerous individuals and households to purchase their household’s poultry directly from Smith Poultry Farm.
• Began recruiting a staff of farmhands to assist in the day to day operations of the poultry farm.

Smith Poultry Farm Products

The following will be the products Smith Poultry Farm will provide:

Industry Analysis

Customer analysis, demographic profile of target market.

Smith Poultry Farm will target all residents of  Mason City and the surrounding states. The target market will consist of households, grocery stores, restaurants, and large retail chains.

The precise demographics for Mason City, Iowa are:

• 503,642 residents
• 310,000 households
• 1,000 restaurants
• 500 grocery stores
• 6 large retail grocery stores

Customer Segmentation

Smith Poultry Farm will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Individuals and households
• Grocery Stores
• Restaurants
• Large Grocery Chains

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Smith Poultry Farm will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Myson Poultry Farm

Myson Poultry Farm is a modern, multi-national, protein-focused food company that produces approximately 20% of the beef, pork, and chicken in the United States. Along with its subsidiaries, the company operates a food company worldwide. The company began during the Great Depression when the eldest Myson began selling chickens. A few decades later, Myson’s son grew it into the large company it is today and is one of the largest poultry producers and distributors in the world.

By investing in technology, Myson was able to grow the brand. Through the development of better feeds and better disease control methods, chickens were maturing more quickly. These improvements, combined with increased competition, meant lower prices for consumers and households were able to purchase their poultry products in larger quantities.

Iowa Poultry Farm

Iowa Poultry Farms started in the 1920s when Liam Nelson sold and traded eggs by the dozen as a means to put food on the table for his family. Four generations later, the Nelson family has grown the business year-over-year to continue to meet the changing needs of the egg and pullet industry. More than 90 years of experience has established Iowa Poultry Farm as a well-respected pullet and hatching business as well as a reliant commercial egg producer under the current leadership.

The strength of Iowa Poultry Farm began when master plans for growth from the late 1980s to present day have produced new and improved pullet production facilities that have the capacity to accommodate the growth of the majority of the pullets in NPF’s proprietary facilities. Recent capital development has been invested in hatchery and breeder facilities that have the capacity to produce up to 9 million female chicks per year as well as supplementary aviary growing facilities for both cage-free and floor-grown conventional pullets.

Iowa Poultry Farm continues to innovate as a pullet and hatching business under the leadership of Frank and his son, Brett.

Good Cluck Poultry Farm

Good Cluck Poultry Farm maintains more than 50,000 breeders on its company owned farms. The company currently hatches and sells 79 standard chicken breeds/varieties, 58 breeds/varieties of bantams, 9 breeds of ducks, 3 breeds of geese, and 4 breeds/varieties of guineas. In addition, Good Cluck has available, as a service to its customers, 9 heritage breeds of turkeys, pheasants, and chukar.

Good Cluck certainly has good luck. While many hatcheries have been forced to close, Good Cluck Poultry Farm has become a leader in producing non-commercial poultry annually, selling more than six million items of baby poultry.

Good Cluck’s full list of products are white egg layers, brown egg layers, colored egg layers, standard assortments, broilers, crested chickens, feather legged bantams, bantam assortments, clean leg bantams, ducks, geese, guineas, turkeys, pheasants, chukar, and supplies.

Competitive Advantage

Smith Poultry Farm will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Ownership has extensive experience and knowledge in the poultry farming industry and has over 20 years of experience managing poultry farm operations
• Smith Poultry Farm will breed high quality chickens, ducks, and turkeys in order to produce the freshest and quality poultry.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Smith Poultry Farm will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• All farming practices will utilize the latest technology and equipment for safe breeding practices, production, and distribution of all farm animals.
• The farm will only breed the highest quality poultry.
• Unbeatable pricing to its clients and customers – Smith Poultry Farm does not mark up its poultry products at a large percentage. All poultry will be on par with competition.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Smith Poultry Farm is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

John Smith has built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by living and working in the midwestern farming industry. Since a number of local poultry farms have ceased operations, they have committed to John that Smith Poultry Farm will be their poultry supplier. They trust his work ethic and commitment to the local community.

Professional Associations and Networking

Smith Poultry Farm will become a member of American Farmland Trust, Farming NGO, National Farmers Union, and the Iowa Chamber of Commerce. They will focus their networking efforts on expanding their client network and marketing their new brand.

Print Advertising

Smith Poultry Farm will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events.

Website/SEO Marketing

Smith Poultry Farm will hire a third-party marketing company to design their print ads and design their website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the poultry products they plan to offer. The website will also list their contact information and directions to the poultry farm. The marketing company will also include SEO tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “Iowa poultry farm” or “poultry farm near me”, Smith Poultry Farm will be listed at the top of the search results.

Zero po, hindi rin po kami mahilig malabas ng mga panood.

The pricing of Smith Poultry Farm will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing their poultry products.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Smith Poultry Farm.

Operation Functions:

• John Smith will be the Owner and President of the company. He will oversee all staff and manage client relations. John, along with Sue, has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Sue Smith – will oversee all administrative aspects of running the poultry farm. This will include bookkeeping, tax payments, and payroll of the staff.
• George Hargrove – Head Farmhand who will oversee the farming staff and day to day operations.
• Ben Loya – Assistant Farmhand who will assist George.
• Frank Johnson – Distribution Manager who will oversee the packaging and distribution of all poultry products.

Milestones:

Smith Poultry Farm will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

1/1/202X – Finalize purchase of farm land

2/15/202X – Purchase farm equipment, supplies and materials

3/1/202X – Finalize contracts for grocery store, chain, and restaurant clients

4/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events

5/1/202X – Purchase initial set of poultry animals

5/15/202X – Hire and train farm staff

6/1/202X – Smith Poultry Farm begins farm operations

Smith Poultry Farm will be owned and operated by John and Sue Smith. John will manage the oversight of all farm operations with the help of his lead farmhand. Sue will manage all administrative and financial aspects of the farm business.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Smith Poultry Farm are the revenues it will receive from poultry products, eggs, and the breeding fees they will charge to individuals who have high-quality chicken, turkeys, or ducks they want to breed.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff and maintain successful farm operations. The expenses will be the payroll cost, mortgage payment, utilities, farming supplies, equipment maintenance, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Smith Poultry Farm is $500,000 in debt financing to launch its property management business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the farm land and purchasing the necessary equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, mortgage, and marketing costs for the poultry farm. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of Poultry Animals: 5,600
• Average Revenue per Animal: $20
• Number of Poultry Products Sold Per Year: 1,000,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, poultry farm business plan faqs, what is a poultry farm business plan.

A poultry farm business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your poultry farm business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your poultry farm business plan using our Poultry Farm Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Poultry Farms?

There are a number of different kinds of poultry farms , some examples include: Breeder Farms, Broiler Farms, and Pullet Farms.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Poultry Business Plan?

Poultry farms are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.  Having a chicken farming business plan will help show investors you are well-prepared to start your own business.

What are the Steps To Start a Poultry Farm Business?

Starting a poultry farm business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Poultry Farm Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed poultry business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your poultry farm business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your poultry farm business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Poultry Farm Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your poultry farm business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your poultry farm business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Poultry Farm Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your poultry farm business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your poultry farm business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful poultry farm business:

• How to Start a Farm Business

Additional Helpful Template

Farm Business Plan

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Pets and Animals
• Bird Breeds

Everything You Need to Know to Create a Profitable Poultry Farm

Last Updated: March 20, 2024 Fact Checked

• Choosing a Farm Type
• Establishing the Farm
• Caring for Chickens
• Growing Your Farm

Expert Interview

This article was co-authored by Alexandra Doss and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA . Alexandra Doss is a Poultry & Livestock Expert expert based in Ruskin, Florida. She owns and manages Stellar Game Birds, Poultry, Waterfowl LLC, a selective breeding operation with game birds, poultry, and waterfowl. With over 14 years of experience, she produces strong genetics and health in her hatching eggs, eating eggs, and live birds. The farm is FWC game farm licensed, FDAC licensed for quail, chicken, and duck eating eggs and meat, and NPIP certified. She is known as the Quail Lady and has published several books on raising Coturnix. Her work has been featured in Mother Earth News, Backyard Poultry, Grit, The Chicken Whisperer Magazine, and Community Chickens. She also has a career as a Workforce Management Supervisor and has a certificate in project ​​management. She received a BS from Oregon State in Animal Sciences. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,746,969 times.

Running a chicken farm requires more than just agricultural know-how. If you want to be a chicken farmer, you must also think like a business person while growing your brand. Choosing a focus, establishing a brand, raising your chickens, and building your business are all part of chicken farming. Then, as your farm grows, you'll be able to market, finance, and network to grow your business. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to start a successful chicken farm business.

Quick Steps to Start a Chicken Farm

• Decide if you want an egg- or meat-production farm and choose the best chicken breeds for your focus.
• Buy the land for your farm and purchase supplies like coops, brooders, and feeders. Apply for a loan if necessary.
• Market your farm by creating a website, making ads, and attending agriculture conferences to network.

Choosing a Focus, Breed, and Location

• Although less common, some chicken farms handle both meat production and egg-laying. If you choose this option, it may require twice as much equipment and physical labor.
• Studies show that eggs from chickens raised in good environments have double or triple the omega-3 fatty acid content and a third of the cholesterol as other eggs. By creating an egg-laying farm, you can assure your customers that they weren’t fed or exposed to unhealthy chemicals. [2] X Research source

• Broiler farms typically grow between 4 and 8 flocks a year, depending on the size of the chickens.
• Large chickens are typically processed into value-added products like chicken patties and chicken fingers. Medium-sized chickens are often packaged as boneless breasts or whole rotisserie chickens. Small chickens are often sold as fast food products. [4] X Research source

• Egg or meat processing: Processing poultry products for taste, quality, and safety
• Marketing poultry products: Promoting poultry products through advertisements to increase revenue
• Chicken breeding: Raising, breeding , and selling chickens for pet owners or other farmers

• If you want to start an egg-laying farm, for example, you may want to choose a layer breed like Rhode Island Red, Hamburg, or Sussex chickens. [7] X Research source
• Some good broiler breeds include the Cornish Cross, Bréese, Buckeye, and Delaware chickens. [8] X Research source
• You can find a list of popular chicken breeds and their specialties at https://chickenbreedslist.com/ .

• The further you move from your city or town, the cheaper the land will be.
• If you can't find land near the city limits, look for land in the countryside where you'll have plenty of space to farm.
• Poultry expert Alexandra Doss recommends that you “have at least an acre or so” of land for a chicken farm, but “a quarter of an acre is fine for a few chickens, too.”

Establishing Your Chicken Farm

• If you choose agriculture or poultry science, add a business minor (or vice-versa) to take classes on marketing, leadership, and other relevant topics.
• Get your degree online if you don't have time for a traditional four-year degree.
• Other ways to learn about poultry farming include taking a training course or consulting an established farmer for advice and mentorship.

• If you’re starting a farm in the United States, consider applying for an LLC, which has many benefits for startups.

• If you're running a meat productions farm, for example, you could include your plans for raising and butchering chickens, revenue goals or the first year, and plans for marketing your poultry products in stores.
• Business plans are useful for attracting investors or business partners down the road.

• Bring a business outline, evidence of your credit history, pay stubs, and anything else requested by the bank to your meeting.
• Start with a loan for the minimum amount of equipment and chickens for your farm. You can always get a larger loan as your business grows.

• Lighting instruments
• Waterers or heaters
• Waste disposal system

• Start with a small farm so you don't have to pay workers until your chicken farm business is successful.
• If you need to hire more workers, try to hire those with years of experience in poultry farming for better stability. You’ll also likely need an administrative manager to keep an eye on daily business.

Raising and Caring for Chickens

• Extensive: A cost-effective system in which your chickens roam freely on the ground and just have a shelter.
• Semi-intensive: In this system, you’ll breed half your chickens in cages and the other half will roam freely on the ground. This system protects the chickens from predators and bad weather.
• Deep-litter: This system is best for broilers. The chickens can move freely on the ground made of straw, sawdust, and leaves. This system allows you to easily feed them and reach their eggs without unnecessary hurdles.
• Slatted or wired: This system includes creating small houses with wooden slats or wired mesh flooring. The slats are 4 feet above the ground and you can easily feed the chickens and collect eggs . This is ideal for adult birds as the houses have a low temperature.
• Battery-caged: In this system, you’ll place the birds in metal cages and separate them into groups. Each cage has its own food and water containers and provides nests for the chickens to lay eggs in. This is the most effective system for egg production, but it may be too expensive for a new business.
• Build the chicken coop or cage at about 4 sq ft (0.37 m 2 ) per chicken. [17] X Research source
• Clean the chicken coop or cage regularly to prevent the chickens from spreading diseases.

• When buying chicks, always do some research beforehand to make sure the breeder is dependable. You don’t want to invest a ton of money on chicks just to discover they’re sick or malnourished.
• Make sure you have the brooder ready before buying and stocking the chicks.

• You can also give chickens corn, halved grapes, or cabbage as a treat, but avoid feeding them these treats more than several times a week as it's less healthy than chicken feed. [19] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
• Nearly 70% of your production cost comes from supplying poultry feed.
• As you become more experienced, consider learning how to prepare your own feed . Until then, buying it from the market is fine.
• If your chickens aren’t fed properly, they’ll produce fewer eggs and become susceptible to various diseases.
• If you use ingredients like maize, ensure the moisture content is never above 10-11%, as this may lead to fungus. To prevent this, purchase your feed from a reliable company.

• As there is currently no effective treatment for poultry diseases, vaccinate your chickens to keep the diseases from spreading. Some common vaccines include RDV, Fowl Pox, Cholera, and Mycoplasma. Consult with your vet to get your chickens vaccinated.
• Not all vets have experience working with chickens, so locate a poultry vet ahead of time. [22] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source

Growing Your Poultry Farm

• If you notice that you're spending too much on chicken feed, for example, shop around with different suppliers to find cheaper feed.
• You can also hire an accountant or financial advisor to keep your records organized for you.

• Creating a logo for your business can also provide visibility for your brand. Make sure it aligns with your business (for example, you could never go wrong with incorporating a chicken into your logo) and put it on your website and business cards.
• If you don’t have a large budget, however, don’t splurge on a logo when you can invest your money into your actual business.
• Make use of social media, as well. Consider making a Facebook, Instagram, and even a TikTok account to spread the word about your business. Be sure to post regularly!

• Connect with your friends and neighbors, too. Even if they’re not farmers themselves, they may know people who are interested in buying from you or investing in your business.

• If you're running a chicken breeding farm, for example, you may want a loan to buy better egg incubators.

Community Q&A

• If you're not up for starting a chicken farm from scratch, you can also invest in or buy an existing franchise instead. [26] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Research methods that successful chicken farms use as a guide for your business. Popular poultry farms include Cargill Meat Solutions, Hormel Foods Corp, Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and Smithfield Foods. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling chickens. Live poultry often carry salmonella. [27] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about poultry, check out our in-depth interview with Alexandra Doss .

• ↑ https://survivallife.com/what-advantages-chicken-farming/
• ↑ https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/many-benefits-backyard-chickens
• ↑ https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/new-farmers-guide-to-the-commercial-broiler-industry-poultry-husbandry-biosecurity-basics/
• ↑ https://www.poultry.care/blog/how-to-start-a-successful-poultry-care-farming-business
• ↑ https://www.fao.org/poultry-production-products/production/poultry-species/chickens/en/
• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/234/69325/Chicken_Breed_Chart_to_Help_Choose_Your_Chicken.pdf
• ↑ https://animal-world.com/best-meat-chicken-breeds/
• ↑ https://withmydegree.org/can-degree-agriculture/
• ↑ https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan
• ↑ https://chickenscage.com/news/how-much-does-the-poultry-farm-equipment-cost.html
• ↑ https://www.fao.org/poultry-production-products/production/management-and-housing/en/
• ↑ https://grubblyfarms.com/blogs/the-flyer/how-big-of-a-coop-do-i-need
• ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/adopting-and-caring-backyard-chickens
• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/decreasing-daylight-and-its-effect-on-laying-hens
• ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g8903
• ↑ https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/what-kind-of-records-should-i-keep
• ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/how-to-apply-small-business-loan
• ↑ https://www.fao.org/poultry-production-products/production/poultry-species/en/
• ↑ https://www.investors.com/promoted-content/franshares/how-to-generate-passive-income-through-franchise-investing/
• ↑ https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/animal/backyard.html

About This Article

To start a chicken farm business, decide if you want to focus on eggs, meat production, or another specialty niche, then obtain the necessary equipment. Next, choose a chicken breed that matches your farming goals and set up coops or cages to keep them in. Feed and care for your chickens daily and be sure to separate any chickens that seem ill from the rest of the population. Don't forget to market your business by creating a website and advertisements! For more tips on choosing the best breed for your goals, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

S. Simelane

Aug 24, 2017

Did this article help you?

Usman Kehinde

Aug 25, 2017

Robert Leggett

Feb 6, 2018

Pamela Spalani

Jun 23, 2016

Nikky Adetokun

Mar 9, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

By Samuel Ansah

October 2, 2022

Chicken Farming Business Plan Sample

Having a chicken farming business plan is vital if you are interested in chicken farming. Chicken Farming is a booming area of production with many promises.

The sector boasts higher and quick returns as chicken meat and chicken eggs are widely consumed.

Chicken farmers are encouraged to have a chicken farming business plan to guide them through their production, assist them in accessing loans, and attract potential investors. This article discusses the steps required to prepare a business plan to guide a successful chicken farm business.

Chicken farming for beginners

The chicken is one of the most important animals in modern-day farming. They produce meat, eggs, feathers for decoration, and blood meal for feeding farm animals. The amount of products made from chicken is incredible, and their use in farming is essential for keeping people fed and healthy.

How to start a chicken farming business

How many chickens do you need to start a chicken farm, sections of the chicken farming business plan, 1. introduction, 2. marketing management, 3. production/ operations management, 4. human resource management, 5. financial management, 7. appendices, introduction.

This section gives a comprehensive background and overview of your chicken business. The section has several subsections that come together to give or provide a thorough overview. However, feel free to remove subsections that do not apply to the business.

Title Page:

This page provides the name of the document, the business name, and the names of those involved in coming up with the business plan. Please provide the date in this section to remind you when it was developed and keep it updated.

Executive summary:

This section appears at the front of the business plan, but it is the last section developed; presents the most crucial information, which may include the firm’s overall goals and objectives, i.e., it should talk concisely about what the business is, what it wants to do, how it will do it and the projected rewards from it. The executive summary should give a brief overview of the business plan.

Table of contents:

The table of contents should provide the titles of all the section headings in the chicken farming business plan and their page numbers.

Vision and Mission statement:

The Mission statement talks about the primary reason for the existence of your chicken business, its unique circumstances, the product(s) it sells, and why it is in business. You always revise and update it to reflect the changing face of the firm. The Vision statement tells the reader what particular position the firm is in or plans to enter and the most important goals of the business.

Business Organizations:

Briefly describe in this section the legal organization of the chicken farming business plan (for example, partnership, corporation, or proprietorship).

Overview of the current situation:

This section of the chicken farming business plan may be helpful when the plan is to be used for securing financial assistance.

The overview helps set the context of how the business has changed over time and gotten to its current form. It should talk about how the business’ financial measures have changed over time. Then, information related to the business location (you can add pictures), current sales, inventories, assets, marketing area, number of employees, and any other helpful information. The reader should have a snapshot picture of the business’s current status.

How profitable is chicken farming?

Marketing management of chicken farming business plan.

This section is more like the juice of the plan. The subsections include;

Marketing SWOT analysis

Talk about the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats surrounding your business and discuss the results.

Products and services produced.

Talk about the specific products or services you offer. Your statement may be like, ‘we raise chickens for meat or eggs.

Industry overview and position

Talk about your industry and your business fit into it. Consider including trends in industry sales, competitors, cash markets, new market opportunities, and threats surrounding your business, and discuss the results. Thoroughly describe the customer base to help you better define your target market.

Marketing strategy

Describe the marketing opportunities you face and how you intend to take advantage of those. Talk about the advertising programs you will undertake, how you will distribute your product and how you will measure whether you’re successful with your marketing plan.

Also, talk about how you plan on mitigating risks and what tactics you will use. You will need to talk about how you intend to manage risks associated with input and output prices.

Managerial Expertise

Take stock of the total managerial expertise used by the firm. Talk about the marketing-related knowledge the manager possesses.

Production/ Operations Management

Assessing the operations process and making chicken farming business plans for the future is essential, especially when you’re planning on expanding or change is about to happen in the business.

In your chicken farming business plan operations, talk about;

• Production SWOT analysis
• Overview of production assets
• Managerial expertise
• Production performance
• Production strategy

Human Resource Management

The competency of your labor force may determine how successful your business will perform. In this section of the chicken farming business plan, you are required to be strict on the following;

• Human Resource SWOT analysis
• Organizational chart 
• Overview of current policies
• Human Resources Strategy

Financial Management

This section of the chicken farming business plan is the most crucial factor from the potential lender’s viewpoint. Financial statements are best presented in the appendix. Explain the chicken farming business plan finances. We advise that you work with a business consultant, accountant, or financial advisor to develop this part, especially if you’re pursuing other funding options.

Talk about;

• Financial SWOT analysis
• Review of the current economic situation
• Financial strategy

This part of your chicken farming business plan should tell your reader the highlights of your plan. Restate your most crucial goals and mention how you plan on achieving them. Draw focus on what your plan intends to do to reach future profitability, efficiency, liquidity, and solvency.

The appendix of the chicken farming business plan might contain your financial statements, both Pro-forma and actual, which point to your financial management section. Include anything that may be crucial to the body of your chicken farming business plan. Give each appendix a unique name such as ‘SWOT analysis results’ or ‘Financial statements.’

Chicken farmers can follow this guide to develop a chicken farming business plan successfully. A well-written business plan can give a particular chicken farmer an advantage over other farmers in securing funding or investors for their business.

Source : PoultryABC.com

Thanks for reading from PoultryABC.com an agriculture publishing website from Ghana. You are free to share this story via the various social media platforms and follow us on; Facebook , Twitter , Instagram etc.

You may be interested: How to Start Poultry Farming for Beginners

How to Start Poultry Farming for Beginners

Best Layer Breeds

How to select the best broiler chicken breed

How To Increase Your Earnings In Poultry

Samuel Ansah is a seasoned agriculture professional with over a decade of experience researching, sharing, and publishing news and opinions. He is passionate about using his knowledge to help farmers and other agriculture stakeholders make informed decisions. Samuel has focused on publishing his work on agriculture, including articles and blog posts. Contact: [email protected]   More about Bio

Leave a Comment

Small Business Trends

How to start chicken farming.

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more .

Starting a poultry farm business can be a lucrative endeavor for ambitious poultry farmers. A poultry company requires careful planning, research, and a solid understanding of the industry. With the right preparation, you’ll be well on your way to success. Let’s begin!

Poultry Farming in The US

Poultry farming is a significant contributor to the US economy, with a poultry industry market size of $57.8 billion in 2023. The industry caters to different scales, from small-scale backyard chicken keepers to large commercial farms. Backyard chicken keeping is becoming increasingly popular as a hobby, while commercial farms operate on a larger scale, producing meat and eggs for local and international markets.

Types of Chicken Farms

Chicken farms can vary in type, with the three most common types being broiler farms, egg farms, and farms that raise chickens for both meat and egg production. Here are some details about each type:

Broiler Chickens

Broiler farms aim to raise chickens for meat, using specialized feed and lighting for optimal weight and meat quality. Proper ventilation, temperature, humidity, cleaning, and disinfecting are crucial for management.

Egg Production

Egg farms produce eggs for consumption and house chickens in barns or free-range settings. Proper nutrition, lighting, and nesting boxes are essential for egg-laying. Farmers must manage the flock year-round for consistent egg quality and quantity while following local regulations.

Raising Chickens for Both Meat Production and Egg Production

Begin by Planning the Chicken Farm Business

Proper planning is essential when starting any business, including poultry companies. This section outlines key considerations for planning a successful chicken farm business.

It is crucial to have a well-thought-out plan to navigate through the various stages of starting and running a poultry farm. Planning involves setting clear goals, developing strategies to achieve them, and creating a roadmap that includes financial projections, market research, and legal considerations. This section outlines key considerations for planning a successful chicken farm business.

Create a Poultry Farming Business Plan

Outline a clear roadmap of the chicken farm business, including the goals, strategies, and financial projections. A business plan is a crucial document that helps in organizing and directing the business.

It should include detailed information about the business, including the type of poultry farming, the target market, marketing and sales strategies, and financial projections.

The business plan will not only be a guide for the business operations but also a crucial document for seeking funding or loans.

Research the Market

Gather information about the local market demand, competition, and consumer behavior to make informed decisions. Market research is a vital component of planning as it helps in understanding the target audience, their preferences, and the existing competition.

It involves gathering data on the demand for poultry products, identifying potential competitors, and analyzing consumer behavior.

This information will help in making informed decisions about the type of poultry farming, pricing strategies, and marketing approaches.

Form a Legal Entity and Register Your Poultry Farming Business

Select an appropriate legal entity, register the business with the government, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits.

a legal entity is a crucial step in starting a poultry farming business as it helps in defining the structure of the business, the level of liability of the owners, and the way the business will be operated.

It involves choosing between different legal structures such as sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company (LLC). Once the legal entity is formed, the business needs to be registered with the government and obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally.

Name and Brand Your Poultry Farming Business

Choose a memorable and unique name, and create a brand identity that represents the business values and mission. The name and brand of the poultry farm are essential for creating a lasting impression on customers and differentiating the business from competitors.

The name should be easy to remember, unique, and reflect the nature of the business.

The brand identity includes the logo, color scheme, and overall aesthetic that represents the business. It is important to create a strong brand identity that communicates the business values, mission, and quality of the products.

Open a Business Bank Account

Separate personal and business finances by opening a business bank account to manage transactions and monitor cash flow.

Decide on A Marketing Strategy

Develop a marketing plan to reach potential customers through advertising, promotions, and other strategies that fit the business goals and budget.

Here are some popular marketing strategies:

• Leverage Online Marketing : Utilize digital platforms like a business website, social media channels, and online marketplaces to reach a wider audience. Online marketing is cost-effective and allows you to engage directly with customers, receive feedback, and build a community around your brand.
• Participate in Local Farmers’ Markets and Fairs : Establish a presence in local farmers’ markets and agricultural fairs. These events are great opportunities to showcase your products, connect with customers, and build a loyal customer base in your community.
• Collaborate with Local Businesses : Partner with local businesses such as restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores. Offering them a steady supply of fresh poultry products can open up new sales channels and increase your market reach.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Chicken Farming

Starting a chicken farming business can be a rewarding and profitable venture. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Decide on The Niche: Broiler Chickens or Egg Production

The poultry industry is vast, and deciding on a niche is crucial for the success of the poultry farming business. Determine whether you want to raise broiler chickens for meat production or hens to lay eggs.

Each niche has its own set of challenges, requirements, and market demand. Here are five reasons why it is important to decide on a niche:

• Market Demand: Understanding the market demand for broilers or eggs helps in planning the production accordingly. The demand for broilers and eggs may vary based on geographical location, cultural preferences, and economic conditions.
• Resource Requirements: Raising broiler chickens requires different resources compared to egg production. For example, broiler chickens require more space and feed, whereas laying hens require nesting boxes and a different nutritional diet.
• Profitability: The profitability of broiler chickens and egg production may vary based on several factors such as market prices, cost of feed, and labor costs. It is important to analyze the profitability of each niche before making a decision.
• Experience and Expertise: Having experience and expertise in a particular niche helps in managing the poultry farm more efficiently and effectively. It is important to consider your own experience and knowledge before deciding on a niche.
• Supply Chain: The supply chain for broiler chickens and eggs may differ. For example, broiler chickens may require processing before they can be sold, whereas eggs can be sold directly to consumers or retailers. It is important to consider the supply chain requirements of each niche.

Check What Permits May be Needed to Raise Chickens in Your Area

Contact your local government or agricultural agency to find out what permits and regulations are required to raise chickens in your area.

Join the National Chicken Council if Raising Chickens for Meat Production

If you plan to raise chickens for meat production, consider joining the National Chicken Council to stay up-to-date with industry standards and regulations.

Learn Everything you Can About The Poultry Farm Business

Research and educate yourself on the basics of poultry farming, including breeding, hatching, and caring for chickens.

Obtain or Build a Chicken Coop and Poultry Farming Equipment

Invest in or construct a sturdy chicken coop and necessary equipment such as feeders , waterers , and incubators.

Research Poultry Feed

Learn about different types of poultry feed and their nutritional values to ensure your chickens receive a balanced diet.

Determine Marketing and Sales Strategies

Develop a plan for marketing and selling your chicken products, including where and how you will sell them.

Establish a Biosecurity Plan

Protect your chickens from disease by creating and implementing a biosecurity plan that includes measures such as sanitizing equipment and limiting visitors.

Hire Experienced Staff or Learn Basic Animal Care

Hire experienced staff or learn the basics of animal care to ensure your chickens receive proper care and attention.

Manage Finances and Keep Detailed Records

Monitor your expenses, sales, and profits, and keep detailed records to help you make informed business decisions.

How Much Do Poultry Farmers Make?

Poultry farming is a lucrative business, with farmers making up to $100,000 annually depending on the size of the farm and type of poultry. Factors such as breed, feed costs, poultry housing  and marketing will affect profit margins directly.

Are There Any Downsides to Chicken farming?

While chicken farming can be a profitable and rewarding business, there are potential downsides to consider. Here are a few:

Labor-Intensive Work

Chicken farming can be physically demanding, with daily chores such as cleaning coops, feeding and watering chickens, and collecting eggs.

Health Risks and Biosecurity Concerns

Raising chickens can expose farmers to health risks such as avian influenza, and maintaining biosecurity to prevent disease spread can be challenging.

Market Volatility and Uncertainty

Chicken farming profits can be influenced by market conditions such as fluctuations in chicken feed prices and demand for chicken products, making it a volatile and unpredictable industry.

The Bottom Line

Starting a chicken farming business can be a lucrative and rewarding venture. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can get started in the poultry farming industry. Consider using a farm app to manage your operations and look into deer farming as another potential opportunity for diversification.

How to Start Chicken Farming Summary

Chicken farm faqs, how many chickens are needed for a profitable poultry farm.

A minimum of 500-1000 chickens is typically required to generate a reasonable income with your own poultry business but ultimately it’s up to the individual farmer to decide how many chickens are necessary to start a poultry farm.

Is Chicken Farming Profitable?

Chicken farming can be a profitable business if managed well. Researching the steps on how to start a farm and learning how to make money farming can increase the chances of success.

How Many Chickens do you Need to Start a Farm?

Having the right number of birds is essential. The typical rule of thumb suggests 6-8 hens per person, depending on what you want to produce.

How Long Does it Take for Chickens to Grow?

Broiler chickens can reach market weight in 6-8 weeks while laying hens can start producing farm-fresh eggs around 5 months old. Knowing how to start an egg farm can help you manage your flock’s growth and production.

Is Chicken Farming Humane?

The chicken business can be humane when birds are given ample space in their chicken house, access to sunlight, and proper care to keep chickens healthy. However, in commercial settings, overcrowding and other practices can lead to poor welfare conditions.

What is The Best Type of Chicken Coop?

A suitable coop should protect chickens from predators, provide adequate ventilation and space, and be easy to clean and maintain.

Image: Envato Elements

I am planning to start chicken farming (hatchers/eggs). I have my own space, 5 hatchers open, farm fully paid with potential for borehole and sunlight to accommodate solar energy etc. I have been procrastinating, but need financial support to start the business. I want to start now before reaching my retirement age soon in less than a decade.

Mr Mahlangu

How far is the chicken business coming along? Did you ever start? I wish I had a piece of land where I also could start my own. I have all the research but no land start at.

I have been in to poultry farming for the past 13 years and is really a lucrative business. But the challenges I have with my own business is enough space because I do both the egg and Broilers farming.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

© Copyright 2003 - 2024, Small Business Trends LLC. All rights reserved. "Small Business Trends" is a registered trademark.

How to Write a Poultry Farming Business Plan (Sample Template)

Last updated Apr 22, 2024 | Poultry Business

Have you been thinking of starting a poultry farm ? If YES, here is a comprehensive sample of a poultry farming business plan you can use for free to raise capital.

Poultry farming is a growing industry as it has become one of the largest meat producing industries across the globe. And as a result, demand for poultry products keeps increasing day by day.

To start any type of business, you will first need to learn the ropes. Conducting thorough research is also one of the things you will be tasked with. Also, you might be required to undergo some training so as to have firsthand experience on how to run your business.

The agricultural industry, of which poultry farming is a part of, is no doubt among the leading industries in most countries of the world. This is the industry that produces chickens and eggs for the larger population.

Poultry farming is a highly thriving and profitable business venture. Aside from the fact that people consume birds and chickens, the supply of eggs is also a major source of revenue generation for poultry farmers. Players in the poultry farming and egg production industry basically raise chickens for meat and egg production. The eggs produced may be sold for use as table eggs or hatching eggs.

I have prepared a Poultry Farming Business Plan sample, that I believe will be of great help to you.

Areas covered in the business plan include:

• Executive Summary
• Our Services
• Our Mission and Vision Statement
• Roles and Responsibilities
• SWOT Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Our Target Market
• Our Competitive Advantage
• Sales And Marketing Strategy
• Publicity and Advertising Strategy
• Financial Projections and Costing
• Our Startup Budget and Expenditure
• Financial Projection
• Sales Forecast
• Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Important Things to Note About The Poultry Farming Business Sample.

• The name used for the poultry farming business is an imaginative name. It’s totally used for illustration purposes.
• The budgeting and financial estimates are for illustration purposes. When developing your business plan, ensure that you do a feasibility study, so as to come up with the right figures.
• This poultry farming business sample should act as your guide, to help you develop a better one for your business.

Use the big button below to download the Poultry Farming Business Plan Sample.

Patrick Lumumba

Recent post.

• Can Chickens Eat Oranges?

If you've ever found yourself with extra oranges on hand, you may have wondered if it's okay to share them with your chickens. After all, chickens are omnivores and...

• Do Chickens Eat Ants?

If you're a backyard chicken owner or just someone curious about the eating habits of these feathery friends, you've probably wondered, "Do chickens eat ants?" It's a...

• What to Consider When Choosing Fencing for Your Chickens

Disclaimer: This blog post has been fully sponsored by Red Brand, a line of premium agricultural fencing products and reigns as the most recognized brand of farm fences...

6 Reasons Why a Chicken Coop is Important

When you start raising chickens, one of the most important things to consider is the type of home you will give your birds. A chicken coop is more than just a shelter...

20 Comments

I want be among those to have a little knowledge about poultry garming as well

[email protected]

Thanks so much, really a good lead

You are so welcome.

That’s by encouraging

Thanks, Pius.

For my project research work

its very helpful

Thank You So Much for guidelines

I need a poultry business plan

Hi I also need help on how to start my poultry business I want to be successful like other people

Dear, if anyone has an experienced and complete idea about poultry farming plz give me a suggestion.

What exactly are you looking for? We can help you.

Your app poultry facts is good and very helpful to me

Hello Molly. Thanks a lot. And we are so happy that you find our resources helpful.

Very helpful.

You are welcome.

Thanks alot am in uganda

You are welcome

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Submit Comment

Latest Posts

• How Much Does It Cost to Start a Poultry Farming Business in 2024?
• How to Increase Your Earnings in Poultry Business

Popular Topics

• Chicken Coops (5)
• Egg Production (4)
• Poultry Business (7)
• Poultry Diseases (8)
• Poultry Nutrition (8)
• Raising Chicks (9)

Pin It on Pinterest

How to write a business plan for a chicken farm?

Writing a business plan for a chicken farm can be an intimidating task, especially for those just starting.

This in-depth guide is designed to help entrepreneurs like you understand how to create a comprehensive business plan so that you can approach the exercise with method and confidence.

We'll cover: why writing a chicken farm business plan is so important - both when starting up, and when running and growing the business - what information you need to include in your plan, how it should be structured, and what tools you can use to get the job done efficiently.

Let's get started!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a chicken farm?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for a chicken farm?
• What goes in the financial forecast for a chicken farm?
• What goes in the written part of a chicken farm business plan?
• What tool can I use to write my chicken farm business plan?

Having a clear understanding of why you want to write a business plan for your chicken farm will make it simpler for you to grasp the rationale behind its structure and content. So before delving into the plan's actual details, let's take a moment to remind ourselves of the primary reasons why you'd want to create a chicken farm business plan.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your chicken farm. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your chicken farm to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your chicken farm, you'll focus on three key areas:

• Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
• Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
• Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

To maintain visibility on future cash flows

Businesses can go for years without making a profit, but they go bust as soon as they run out of cash. That's why "cash is king", and maintaining visibility on your chicken farm's future cash flows is critical.

How do I do that? That's simple: you need an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your chicken farm business plan already contains a financial forecast (more on that later in this guide), so all you have to do is to keep it up-to-date.

To do this, you need to regularly compare the actual financial performance of your business to what was planned in your financial forecast, and adjust the forecast based on the current trajectory of your business.

Monitoring your chicken farm's financial health will enable you to identify potential financial problems (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) early and to put in place corrective measures. It will also allow you to detect and capitalize on potential growth opportunities (higher demand from a given segment of customers for example).

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your chicken farm, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your chicken farm has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your chicken farm, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Information needed to create a business plan for a chicken farm

Drafting a chicken farm business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast, and convince the reader that there is a viable commercial opportunity to be seized.

Below, we'll focus on three critical pieces of information you should gather before starting to write your plan.

Carrying out market research for a chicken farm

Before you begin writing your business plan for a chicken farm, conducting market research is a critical step in ensuring precise and realistic financial projections.

Market research grants you valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other crucial factors that can impact the success of your business.

In the course of this research, you may stumble upon trends that could impact your chicken farm.

You could discover that there may be increasing demand for organic, free-range chicken. Additionally, market research might reveal that there might be a growing interest in alternative cuts of chicken, such as boneless thighs or wings.

Such market trends play a pivotal role in revenue forecasting, as they provide essential data regarding potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By integrating these findings into your financial projections, you can provide investors with more accurate information, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about investing in your chicken farm.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a chicken farm

Budgeting sales and marketing expenses is essential before creating a chicken farm business plan.

A comprehensive sales and marketing plan should provide an accurate projection of what actions need to be implemented to acquire and retain customers, how many people are needed to carry out these initiatives, and how much needs to be spent on promotions, advertising, and other aspects.

This helps ensure that the right amount of resources is allocated to these activities in order to hit the sales and growth objectives forecasted in your business plan.

The staffing and capital expenditure requirements of a chicken farm

Whether you are starting or expanding a chicken farm, it is important to have a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) in order to ensure the success of the business.

Both the recruitment and investment plans need to be coherent with the timing and level of growth planned in your forecast, and require appropriate funding.

Your chicken farm might incur staffing costs such as paying salaries for farm workers, purchasing protective clothing and safety equipment, as well as purchasing feed and supplies for the chickens.

You might also need to purchase the necessary equipment such as chicken coops, cages, feeders, incubators, and brooders. Additionally, you might need to invest in other equipment such as tractors, plows, and other farming equipment.

In order to create a realistic financial forecast, you will also need to consider the other operating expenses associated with running the business on a day-to-day basis (insurance, bookkeeping, etc.). 

Once you have all the necessary information to create a business plan for your chicken farm, it is time to start creating your financial forecast.

What goes into your chicken farm's financial forecast?

The objective of the financial forecast of your chicken farm's business plan is to show the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business over the next 3 to 5 years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a chicken farm are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for a chicken farm shows how much revenue and profit your business is expected to make in the future.

A healthy chicken farm's P&L statement should show:

• Sales growing at (minimum) or above (better) inflation
• Stable (minimum) or expanding (better) profit margins
• A healthy level of net profitability

This will of course depend on the stage of your business: numbers for a startup will look different than for an established chicken farm.

The forecasted balance sheet of your chicken farm

The projected balance sheet of your chicken farm will enable the reader of your business plan to assess the overall financial health of your business.

It shows three elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: are productive resources owned by the business, such as equipment, cash, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: are debts owed to creditors, lenders, and other entities, such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers).
• Equity: includes the sums invested by the shareholders or business owners and the profits and losses accumulated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). It is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Analysing your chicken farm projected balance sheet provides an understanding of your chicken farm's working capital structure, investment and financing policies.

In particular, the readers of your plan can compare the level of financial debt on the balance sheet to the equity value to measure the level of financial risk (equity doesn't need to be reimbursed, while financial debt must be repaid, making it riskier).

They can also use your balance sheet to assess your chicken farm's liquidity and solvency:

• A liquidity analysis: focuses on whether or not your business has sufficient cash and short-term assets to cover its liabilities due in the next 12 months.
• A solvency analysis: takes and longer view to assess whether or not your business has the capacity to repay its debts over the medium-term.

The cash flow forecast

A projected cash flow statement for a chicken farm is used to show how much cash the business is generating or consuming.

The cash flow forecast is usually organized by nature to show three key metrics:

• The operating cash flow: do the core business activities generate or consume cash?
• The investing cash flow: how much is the business investing in long-term assets (this is usually compared to the level of fixed assets on the balance sheet to assess whether the business is regularly maintaining and renewing its equipment)?
• The financing cash flow: is the business raising new financing or repaying financiers (debt repayment, dividends)?

As we discussed earlier, cash is king and keeping an eye on future cash flows an imperative for running a successful business. Therefore, you can expect the reader of your chicken farm business plan to pay close attention to your cash flow forecast.

Also, note that it is customary to provide both yearly and monthly cash flow forecasts in a business plan - so that the reader can analyze seasonal variation and ensure the chicken farm is appropriately funded.

The initial financing plan

The sources and uses table or initial financing plan is a key component of your business plan when starting a chicken farm.

It shows where the capital needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be spent (uses).

This table helps size the investment required to set up the chicken farm, and understand how risks will be distributed between the business owners, and the financiers.

The sources and uses table also highlights what the starting cash position will be. This is key for startups as the business needs to have sufficient funding to sustain operations until the break-even point is reached.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what will go into the financial forecast of your chicken farm business plan, let's have a look at the written part of the plan.

The written part of a chicken farm business plan

The written part of a chicken farm business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Throughout these sections, you will seek to provide the reader with the details and context needed for them to form a view on whether or not your business plan is achievable and your forecast a realistic possibility.

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The executive summary, the first section of your chicken farm's business plan, serves as an inviting snapshot of your entire plan, leaving readers eager to know more about your business.

To compose an effective executive summary, start with a concise introduction of your business, covering its name, concept, location, history, and unique aspects. Share insights about the services or products you intend to offer and your target customer base.

Subsequently, provide an overview of your chicken farm's addressable market, highlighting current trends and potential growth opportunities.

Then, present a summary of critical financial figures, such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Lastly, address any funding needs in the "ask" section of your executive summary.

2. The presentation of the company

The second section in your chicken farm's business plan should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of the company.

The structure and ownership part provides an overview of the legal structure of the business, who the owners are and how much each has invested and owns. If you are seeking financing it is important that the reader gets a clear picture of which legal entity is receiving the funds, and who controls the business.

The location part should give an overview of the premises from which the company is operating, and why that location is of particular interest (catchment area, accessibility, amenities nearby, etc.).

When describing the location of your chicken farm, you may want to emphasize the potential market for your product. You could point out the nearby access to transportation networks and the potential for increased sales due to the local population's demand for fresh poultry.

Additionally, you might highlight the potential for success due to the climate of the area: the warm temperatures and ample sunshine could provide ideal growing conditions for your chickens. Ultimately, you could note the potential for growth, both in terms of the market and the farm itself.

Finally, you should introduce the management team. Explain each member's role, background, and experience.

It is also important to emphasize any past successes that the members of the management team have achieved, and how long they've been working together, as this will help potential lenders or investors understand why they should trust in their leadership.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of the offerings that your company provides to its customers. 

For example, your chicken farm might offer fresh eggs, processed chicken meat, and chicken feed products to its customers.

• Fresh eggs are a nutritious and versatile food product, and they can be used in a variety of recipes.
• Processed chicken meat can provide customers with a convenient and tasty meal with minimal preparation.
• Chicken feed products can help customers keep their chickens healthy and produce the highest quality eggs.

When drafting this section, you should be precise about the categories of products or services you sell, the types of customers you are targeting and how customers can buy them.

4. The market analysis

When presenting your market analysis in your chicken farm business plan, you should detail the customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any regulations that may apply.

The goal of this section is to help the reader understand how big and attractive your market is, and demonstrate that you have a solid understanding of the industry.

You should start with the demographics and segmentation subsection, which gives an overview of the addressable market for your chicken farm, the main trends in the marketplace, and introduces the different customer segments and their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

The target market section should follow and zoom on the customer segments your chicken farm is targeting, and explain how your products and services meet the specific needs of these customers.

For example, your target market might include health-conscious individuals. People in this segment are looking for high-quality proteins and want to know the ingredients that are going into their food. They are willing to pay higher prices for organic and ethically-sourced products.

Then comes the competition subsection, where you should introduce your main competitors and explain what differentiates you from them.

Finally, you should finish your market analysis by giving an overview of the main regulations applicable to your chicken farm.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your chicken farm business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your chicken farm faces a variety of risks. For example, your chickens could be impacted by diseases, such as avian flu. It is possible that an outbreak of avian flu could spread quickly among your chickens, leading to significant losses.

Additionally, your chickens may be vulnerable to predators, such as foxes or coyotes, who could sneak into the farm and harm or kill your chickens. It is possible that if you do not take adequate measures to protect your chickens, you could experience significant losses due to predators.

6. The operations section

The operations of your chicken farm must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your chicken farm - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You may have key assets such as the land and the buildings, chicken coops and other infrastructure, necessary for running the farm. You could also have intellectual property such as proprietary feed formulas, or a unique egg-grading system. These may be the key assets and IP that the chicken farm needs to be a successful business.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will present the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes in your chicken farm business plan, let's look at the solutions you can use to draft yours.

What tool should I use to write my chicken farm's business plan?

There are two main ways of creating your chicken farm business plan:

• Using specialized business planning software,
• Hiring a business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your chicken farm's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write a chicken farm business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your chicken farm's business plan

Outsourcing your chicken farm business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are experienced in writing business plans and adept at creating financial forecasts without errors. Furthermore, hiring a consultant can save you time and allow you to focus on the day-to-day operations of your business.

However, hiring business plan writers is expensive as you are paying for the software used by the consultant, plus their time, and their profit margin of course.

From experience, you need to budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a complete business plan, more if you need to make changes after the initial version (which happens frequently after the initial meetings with lenders or investors).

You also need to be careful when seeking investment. Investors want their money to be used to grow the business, not spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services (and other consulting services such as legal services) needs to be negligible relative to the amount raised.

The other drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself: you just get the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business plan software - which makes it difficult to maintain the document up to date without hiring the consultant on a retainer.

For these reasons, outsourcing the chicken farm business plan to a business plan writer should be considered carefully, weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of hiring outside help.

Ultimately, it may be the right decision for some businesses, while others may find it beneficial to write their business plan using online software.

Why not create your chicken farm's business plan using Word or Excel?

I must advise against using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write your chicken farm business plan. Let me explain why.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is highly technical and requires a strong grasp of accounting principles and financial modelling skills. It is, therefore, unlikely that anyone will fully trust your numbers unless you have both a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, like us at The Business Plan Shop.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the only option in the past, technology has advanced significantly, and software can now perform these tasks much faster and with greater accuracy. With the rise of AI, software can even help us detect mistakes in forecasts and analyze the numbers for better decision-making.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software makes it easier to compare actuals versus forecasts and maintain up-to-date forecasts to keep visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. This task is cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's talk about the written part of your chicken farm business plan. While it may be less error-prone, using software can bring tremendous gains in productivity. Word processors, for example, lack instructions and examples for each part of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they don't handle formatting for you.

Overall, while Word or Excel may seem viable for some entrepreneurs to create a business plan, it's by far becoming an antiquated way of doing things.

• A business plan has 2 complementary parts: a financial forecast showcasing the expected growth, profits and cash flows of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to judge if the forecast is realistic and relevant.
• Having an up-to-date business plan is the only way to keep visibility on your chicken farm's future cash flows.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this practical guide gave you insights on how to write the business plan for your chicken farm. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our team if you still have questions.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• In-depth business plan structure
• How to format a business plan
• Is business model canvas a business plan?
• Difference between business plan vs internal plan
• Key steps to write a business plan?
• Free business plan template

Know someone who owns or wants to start a chicken farm? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

Create a convincing business plan

Assess the profitability of your business idea and create a persuasive business plan to pitch to investors

500,000+ entrepreneurs have already tried our solution - why not join them?

Not ready to try our on-line tool ? Learn more about our solution here

Need some inspiration for your business plan?

Subscribe to The Business Plan Shop and gain access to our business plan template library.

Need a professional business plan? Discover our solution

Write your business plan with ease!

It's easy to create a professional business plan with The Business Plan Shop

Want to find out more before you try? Learn more about our solution here

• 212 best farm names

How to Start a 7-Figure Poultry Farm (2024)

August 16, 2022

Did you know the average poultry farm provides over a million dollars of chicken for people to eat every year? John Mathia and Geoff Scott showed us how to start a poultry farm and turn it into a vertically integrated award-winning business. You can too!

Geoff and John started Marion Acres in 2012 so they could eat healthier food than they could buy at the supermarket. Their first attempt at growing their own food went horribly wrong: tractors broke, rains made the land unusable, and the landowner sold the land out from under them––but they persevered. They went from 32 chickens in Geoff’s garage to a poultry farm with different animals, a grocery store, a slaughterhouse, and award-winning chickens.

We’ll share how they developed one of the northwest’s most successful poultry farms! You’ll learn about government subsidies, partnerships, and building a vertically integrated business.

They’ve got information any poultry business can use. Let’s start by learning about the poultry industry. 

Step 1. Learn About Poultry Farming

Don’t try to just jump straight into the chicken business and expect to make a million dollars overnight. There’s a lot to learn about the chicken farming business. You will have federal, state, and local laws to follow. In addition, there are lots of capital expenditures. Plus, you’re raising animals, so without proper hygiene, your whole farm could die.

Don’t be scared, though. You can start small. Geoff told us:

Geoff recommended Reading Pastured Poultry Profits by Joel Salatin, plus we added some other best sellers on Amazon for avid readers.

Here are some interesting reads I found while researching the topic:

• Why poultry is better than beef
• Different feeds for different chickens

We’ll help you understand the poultry business so you can decide the best strategy for your chicken farm. Let’s start by looking at the poultry industry.

How much to start a chicken farm?

Geoff and John started off with:

• 32 broiler chickens : $75
• One chicken tractor : $220
• 150 pounds feed : $100
• Gravity water dispenser : $60
• Total : Under $500

So, you don’t need a lot of money to start raising chickens. If you don’t have land, that’s another story. Let’s look at how much it costs if you need land.

How much does it cost to start a chicken farm if you don’t own land?

Poultry farming will be more expensive if you don’t already have land to use. Chickens need space and a healthy environment. Chickens require at least three square feet per chicken plus space for storage, vehicles, home, etc. 

That means the first acre will hold a maximum of 4500 chickens and each additional acre can hold around 5,000 chickens.

If you don’t have land, you can expect at least $100K startup costs for poultry farming. Some resources even say a poultry farmer should expect to spend $250K. The number of chickens you can hold will depend on the number of acres you buy. Check out the table below for an idea of how land will impact the costs and revenue.

Of course you don’t have to start off with 5,000 chickens. You can start smaller and build your way up. But realistically expect to spend the cost of a down payment and the first two to six months of the mortgage right away. Then, with every 100 chickens expect to spend $1.500.

Is chicken farming profitable?

A poultry farm business can sell both chicken and eggs on the commodity markets or direct to consumers (DTC). Let’s look at each. 

Poultry companies selling DTC

Egg production and meat production can be highly profitable if you sell directly to consumers. Marion Acres sells most of its meat to people and local restaurants, which differs from many farms that sign contracts with major poultry corporations. Geoff told us:

Chicken is about a 30% margin.

Check out the rest of our interview with Geoff and Josh.

They sell their meat at $13.99 per pound (lb) because it is non-GMO, pasture-raised broiler farming. That means they make about $50 per chicken and $15 is margin.

Unless a poultry farmer processes the meat onsite, they shouldn’t expect to get such high margins, though.

Selling as a commodity

A poultry farm business might sell on the open market as well. In this scenario, you’ll need to register with the USDA . You’ll be selling to companies that process the live chickens and turn them into breast, wings, thighs, and other meat for consumption. In this scenario, your profit would be:

Broiler Companies Gross Profit = (market rate per pound x pounds of live chickens) – (costs of chicks + feed + labor caring for chickens + transportation costs).

Egg Laying Companies Gross Profit = (market rate of eggs x number of eggs) – (feed + labor caring for chickens + transportation costs).

You’ll want to compare current pricing for broilers versus eggs to decide which is more profitable. Alternatively, you could do a mix of broiler meat and egg laying.

Geoff told us about how a lot of farmers operate:

Bring on a bunch of debt, get all your equipment, and then farm for the rest of your life. You hope to pay off that debt. John and I took a little bit more measured approach.

During many years farmers will run at a loss and have to be subsidized by the government, so make sure you talk to a financial advisor before you jump into the poultry farm business.

Poultry Industry

According to IBISWorld , the average American eats approximately 112 pounds of chicken, eggs, turkey, and other farm fowl each year. They expect Americans to increase their consumption by about half a pound per year. 

Chicken farms sell chicken and other birds based on the commodity market rates, which have ranged from 59 cents per pound at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdowns to an all-time high of 99 cents per pound on June 17, 2022. Estimates expect that this inflation will level off and return to approximately 1% increases in the prices paid for full birds.

From the poultry farm, the birds will go to:

• A processing plant (or slaughterhouse)
• A wholesale processor
• Supermarkets and retailers
• The final consumer

As a result, a bird that sold for 99 cents per pound, increases to about $5.99 to $7.99 for a whole chicken in the supermarket. Breasts and tenders can go for over $4 per pound according to the USDA . 

However, Geoff and John reap most of the profits from their poultry farming because they own the processing and supermarket. Let’s look at each of the players in the poultry farm business to see how it quadruples in price from the farm to the consumer.

A farmer’s main costs include:

• Land : It’s best to be near but not in big cities. Prices of land can vary dramatically. For example, you might find two to five acres ranging from $5,000 per acre to $2.5 million per acre.
• Chicken coop : Later on, we’ll explain how to build a chicken coop, but if you’re building with three square feet per chicken, you’ll probably end up spending a ton on your chicken house.
• Chickens: You might find day-old chickens for approximately $1 to $2.50 per chick based on the quantity, sex, and whether they are GMO-raised.
• Feed: You’ll need to feed the chickens, and you’ll probably want to buy in bulk. Per pound, smaller bags are much more expensive than when you buy a ton of feed.
• Transportation costs : IRS mileage deductions change each year, but have been over $.50 per mile since 2008. You can deduct actual costs instead.
• Employees: If you have over 500 chickens per owner, plan to spend $15 per hour according to the BLS .

Poultry and other meats require processing, which is an industry worth approximately $227.6 billion with a 4.8% profit margin according to IBISWorld . Poultry processing is included in US Industry (NAICS) Report 31161 . I strongly suggest you pay for the report if you’ll be involved in processing, especially if you need a loan.

Using current market rates, the spending breaks down to:

• Purchase price per pound: $.99
• Additional expenses per pound: $.75
• Profit per pound: $.09
• Sell to the wholesaler by the pound: $1.83

Processing is where most of the additional costs in the industry occur, but not where most of the profits are. At the time of writing, there are 5,486 processing companies, and the major players get 57% of the revenue and 98.25% of the profits. The major players are included in the chart below:

That means the average company can expect to achieve a maximum of $18,000,000 revenue and up to $867,000 per year. There are a lot of industry participants operating at losses.

Once the meat has been processed, it is sent to the wholesaler.

Poultry Wholesalers

These are the companies that sell to grocery stores and restaurant chains. There are between 700 and 800 businesses in this category, but the industry is dominated by Sysco and Cal-Maine foods, which get a combined 52% of the revenue. 

Interestingly, smaller wholesalers seem to perform better with a higher profit margin of 3.19% on a little over $8 million revenue on average.

• Purchase price per pound: $1.83 
• Additional expenses per pound: $.40 per pound
• Profit per pound: $.57
• Sell to supermarkets by the pound: $2.80 

Supermarkets

The supermarket industry makes $757 billion in revenue with 21.3% of that attributed to meat, poultry, cheese, and eggs. The purchase of food items accounts for almost 70%. They also average 1.8% profit , but Publix manages to hit a 27.6% profit margin.

• Payment to wholesaler: $2.80
• Profit: $.07
• Other expenses: $1.13
• Consumer price per pound: $4

Why does this matter to a poultry farm?

It means that by the time the food gets to the customer, three other companies are adding $3.01 to the price of the chicken, of which 75 cents is profit.

That’s why John and Geoff’s business model is so brilliant. Instead of being a commodity that gets the short end of the stick, they’ve built their poultry farm into a slaughterhouse, packager, retailer, and online store.

While this comes with additional costs, they effectively make 2.5 times the revenue while increasing the costs by approximately $2.28 per pound with potential profit margins of 10%. 

Governing Laws

There are a lot of laws covering poultry farming and egg production. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with:

• EPA rules on animal feed operations
• USDA policies regarding livestock
• Farmers Service Agency (FSA, a division of the USDA specifically to help farmers succeed)
• State agencies may have policies about farming permits, licensing, or inspection. Check the FSA map to find experts on your state regulations.
• Many cities and counties may have regulations that apply to starting a chicken farm. I would suggest talking to your local SBA office and health district.

Don’t forget to register your farm. Marion Acres is a multi-member LLC, but it operates similarly to a partnership. Read our blog that walks you through how to register an LLC . 

Market Forces

Weather, unemployment, and disposable income all have an impact on farming poultry. Chickens don’t sweat, so temperatures above 90 degrees can jeopardize their health. Make sure to take that into consideration if you are considering how to start poultry farming.

Choose a Poultry Sector Next

Now that you know a little about the types of businesses involving poultry, what kind of poultry business are you going to start?

• Sell chickens for meat
• Create feed to sell for poultry farmers
• Hatchery and breeding chicks
• Egg and meat processing

Whichever one you choose, your focus should be on how to maximize the output for the lowest cost. Given the primary variable cost is feed, you want to focus on the following ratios:

• Broiler farm : meat per pound of feed 
• Laying eggs : Eggs per pound of feed 

Let’s look at the different breeds of chickens you can choose for your own poultry business.

Type of Bird

Were you raised on a chicken farm?

If you weren’t, I bet you’ll be surprised by the number of chicken breeds available. Fortunately, Chicken Breeds List has an extensive knowledge-base about chickens. It’s basically a one-stop-shop about poultry farming for beginners, with over 31 different breeds ranked based on:

• Number of eggs per year
• Growth potential
• Aggressiveness
• Space requirements 
• And other considerations

They rate the Leghorn as the best egg-laying chicken and the Cornish Cross as the best for producing fast and plentiful chicken meat production.

Look for their awards on sites that educate, breed, or cook chicken. If you see one of them, this means they are a poultry company focused on excellence.

Oops! I spent half the blog educating us on the chicken industry. Let’s carry on with how to start a poultry farm in the USA.

Step 2. Write a Poultry Farming Business Plan

Poultry farming business plans help you keep yourself focused on your goals. Whether you just want enough to feed family and friends, you want to sell eggs or chicken meat locally, or you have dreams of becoming a major chicken farming business, a business plan will help.

Check out our blog about business plan writing and write your own. If that’s not your style, we understand. Marion Acres has never had an official business plan. They told us;

I would say we’re kind of unofficial. A lot of the growth that we have had is just kind of the market driving us that way. The goals we have are probably how to become more sustainable as a farm, and how to become more self-sufficient down the road. And that could be a one to two-year venture.

After you have a business plan for your poultry farm, you’ll know whether you need extra funding or not. If you do, you might want to consider business loans.

Step 3. Poultry Business Loans

If you don’t already have land to start a poultry farm, you’ll need to get some. That means you probably need to buy it. Most landlords won’t love a chicken coop in their garage.

Plus, there’s other poultry farming equipment you’ll need. In addition to the standard loans available for most businesses, the FSA has farming loans that help people buy land, invest in equipment, and make it until the next harvest. 

There’s even youth funding to help 10 to 20-year-olds do farming projects. Put your kid to work raising chicks! Teaching them young is great for when they want their own business.

Next, choose a location for your poultry farm.

Step 4. Find a Location of Chicken Farm

Where are you going to raise chickens? 

Well, that depends on how many you have. Raising chickens can be a space-consuming venture. The poultry farm business can consume three to ten square feet per chicken meaning you can fit about 33 chickens in a 10 x 10 space. 

That means an acre can hold between 4k and 14k chickens, but that doesn’t leave room for much else. That would also be a massive chicken house. 

Chickens also do best in 70° to 75° weather, and they can have heat strokes when temperatures get above 90°. Geoff told us:

They’ve gotta have water. They’ll die pretty quick if they don’t. Especially in the heat.

You also want to create a farm where the cost of land plus transporting poultry products is balanced to minimize costs. 

Step 5. How to Make a Chicken Farm 

Poultry farm design is focused on creating effective layouts and processes to help chicken farms become more profitable and efficient. Check out the Big Book Project . 

You’ll need to do things like:

• Establish how to position everything on your land.
• Decide how to make the most of your space.
• Build a chicken coop.
• Manage your supply chain.
• Purchase and care for your chickens.
• Process and sell your poultry products.

We’ll look at a few, but I strongly advise checking out the Big Book Project and talking to other poultry farming businesses to learn more about designing a small farm. Acclimating to the setting in person will give you a powerful perspective on chicken farming.

How to start a poultry farm: Build a Chicken Coop

Marion Acres uses what they call a Chicken Tractor with a Gravity Water Delivery System for their broiler chickens. It’s an 8-foot by 8-foot enclosure made from:

• Nine 2” x 2” wood beams : $4 each = $36
• Seven 8’ x 2’ corrugated steel panels : $22 each = $154
• Chicken wire : $39 (should be approximately 1 roll)
• Nails and screws: $5
• Estimated Total: $234 + tax, shipping, and handling

When they built it, the total cost would have been about $220 for the coop and $60 for the gravity water delivery system. 

This makes it where they can easily move the chicken coop to different spots on the poultry farm. Watch the video below to view how they built the chicken tractor.

Almanac.com has a good read on how to make a chicken house. They suggest keeping the poultry house near where people are at all times of day so that someone can hear if a fox tries to enter the chicken house.

Farm innovations have created intensive poultry housing systems. With automated feeders, watering systems, and other improvements, you can more easily care for your chickens. You’ll have to establish the proper settings for your poultry house because chicken breeds vary on their needs. Learn about some of the best feeding systems.

How to start a poultry farm: Buy Feed

Every chicken will need to eat. Without poultry feed, you’ll have a hard time keeping your chickens healthy. Chicken feed is made with specific purposes in mind. You can buy poultry feed for:

• Baby chickens: Starter food is best for ages that range from day old chicks to 20 weeks.
• Chicken broilers: If you’re just trying to raise chicks to sell the meat, get food specifically for broilers.
• Teenage chickens: If you want to keep your chicks properly cared for until they each become an adult chicken, you might want to change from starter food to grower food at six weeks. You’ll want to change this when they start laying eggs.
• Egg layers: Once chickens start laying eggs, they need layer feed to help produce healthier eggs. It’s like grower feed but with more calcium and minerals.

When you’re just getting started, you can buy feed from Amazon or Walmart, but you may want to buy in bulk. When comparing a 40 to 50 lb bag to a 2,000 lb order, you can save up to $1,000 by buying in bulk based on online pricing. 

Check out this blog to learn more about feeding chickens .

You’ll want other equipment, too. 

How to start a poultry farm: Other Equipment

You will need equipment based on the chicken products you sell, the space you have, and your budget. Some of the items you might need before you buy your chicks include:

• Waste removal system(s)
• Lighting instruments
• Brooders (for breeding)
• Heaters (for cold weather)
• Crates (for collecting eggs)
• Egg trays (for handling and selling eggs)
• Perches (for laying hens)
• Nests (for laying hens and breeding)
• Incubator (for breeding)

Once you have all the equipment setup, it’s time to find dependable breeders.

Get Your Chickens

It’s time to buy some quality chicks from a reputable breeder. You can buy locally or online, but be careful when buying online. There are two ways to get new chickens and it sounds like a joke. You get to choose between the chicken or the egg.

Geoff told us:

You definitely wanna buy day-old chicks. Leave the hatching of the eggs to the hatchery.

Based on my research, it seems that eggs and chickens sell for about the same price, which means you are better off with the chicks. If you decide to expand your business to incubate your own eggs later, you can potentially increase your profit. You’ll need to learn poultry science first, though.

Some breeders are more honest than others, so make sure they have a guarantee. You might also ask if they have an American Poultry Association flock certification .

Some of the ones consistently mentioned include:

• Jenks : Business success is often measured by profitability, but longevity is also important. As the longest operating poultry company supplier, they know they understand the poultry farm business.
• Cackle Hatchery : If you are looking to buy from only one supplier, Cackle is probably the place. They sell pretty much everything you need for raising and selling chickens. Plus, they’ve been around for over 80 years.
• Privett Hatchery : If you are on the west coast, you might consider getting your chickens from Privett. It’s in New Mexico making it more convenient for a farmer located in the southwest United States.

You can find more breeders and fertile egg suppliers on Chickens and More .

Step 6. How to Run a Chicken Farm

Poultry farming is a delicate business. You have to:

• Feed your birds the proper nutrients: We discussed this in the section on feed. This will help promote chicken health.
• Treat against poultry diseases: If your flock catches a chicken disease, you need to separate the sick ones and care for them. You may also have to hire a vet. Learn more about diseases chickens catch .
• Protect against predators: We discussed this during the section on design.
• Dispose of their waste: You’ll need a waste disposal system to help keep the chicken coop clean. 
• The deep litter system is a method of composting inside the coop. 
• You can also use an automated system.

Geoff and John use manual processes. They told us:

We move the chicken tractors around so their waste fertilizes the land. Every animal plays a role in the ecosystem.

• Treat against poultry diseases : If your flock catches a chicken disease, you have to separate sick ones and care for them. You may also have to hire a vet.
• Maintain documentation of care: You’ll need a great system to document your date of purchase, care, date of processing, and more. Check out USDA documentation requirements .

Author’s note: During my experience in the building automation industry, I found that automated systems make documentation of anything much easier. When you can easily check a log to see when feed was distributed, water consumed, temperatures, and other relevant data, it is much easier to comply with government regulations.

Step 7. Process the Birds

Once the birds have matured to an age you can sell them (typically six to 20 weeks), you need to turn them into meat. Most people will do this using an external processing company, which we discussed in the industry overview, but Geoff and John do it themselves. They told us:

I wish we would’ve known more about how it was going to go with the county in developing the processing facility. I think we probably would’ve just hired a project manager and said, “Deal with the county, make sure everything is taken care of. Let us focus on the stuff we’re good at. 

And I don’t wanna be distracted by explaining to the county about our storage tanks… In the end, I think it (hiring a land-use consultant) probably would’ve saved us a lot on (the) schedule.

Step 8. Sell the Chickens or Eggs

There are several ways for a poultry farm business to sell their chickens and eggs. The business can sell its products to:

• Consumers: Reach this target market through websites, social media, your own retail location, and farmers’ markets.
• Restaurants: Get in touch with restaurant owners through similar channels as consumers but also through trade organizations.
• Poultry processors and wholesalers : Join trade associations or keep reading to find out how to farm for Perdue or Tyson.

How to start a chicken farm for Perdue

If you want to learn the benefits of poultry farming with Perdue, check out the links on their poultry initiatives . As a Perdue farmer, you get access to:

• Some of the most advanced systems in the industry
• A consistent supply of industry best practices
• A regional vet dedicated to helping provide care for your poultry
• Flock advisors to help you maximize gross income and profit
• Technical assistance to maintain your systems

They’ll guide you through the process of how to start a poultry farm for Perdue.

How to start a chicken farm for Tyson

If you’re wanting to contract with Tyson, check out their prospective farming partners page. They use guidelines from the University of Georgia and contract with more than 6,000 contract farmers. Contact the nearest live operations manager if you’d like to discuss how to start a poultry farm with Tyson.

How to start a chicken farm to sell eggs

Egg-selling poultry farms have many of the same requirements as broiler farms, but they are focused on getting the most eggs per unit of feed. You’ll be trying to keep your chickens healthy for a longer period of time because layers often start egg production near 20 weeks and can produce eggs daily for three to four years .

Step 9. Other Business Functions

In addition to the basic equipment and chicken care, you’ll need to have your systems in place for standard business operations like:

• Bartering (unique to farming)

Fortunately, John and Geoff gave us a ton of information on what they use to operate their business selling broiler chickens.

How to start a poultry farm: Hiring

Marion Acres, LLC emphasizes two aspects when hiring:

• Skill: Do they at least somewhat understand the job?
• Personality: Are they fun to be around? Similar values? Work Ethic?

For processing employees, they told us:

It’s called Poached. I think that attracts more of the food service industry, people that are used to handling knives and processing things, stuff like that. So we use that for the processing facility.

They also explained most other positions are easily filled with walk-ins and “now hiring” signs.

How to start a poultry farm: Accounting 

Marion Acres uses a variety of tools for accounting. John told us:

Geoff does (accounting), but we do use QuickBooks Online, a lot of spreadsheets.

You can connect QuickBooks to most software, so you might be able to integrate it with other software you love. Geoff and John told us:

We use Clover for here in the store. Shopventory, which handles our inventory. And we do use Square for some of our online .

Make sure you understand your accounting processes because you’ll need to have sufficient funds or be well documented for the farm programs. Learn about other accounting software for farmers and have a professional accountant help you set it up properly.

How to start a poultry farm: Marketing

John discussed their marketing strategy with us:

We have mainly my wife who oversees that team, Rachelle. There (are) about two people right now, besides her. So three total. 

We use Wix, which is very user-friendly, and a very simple platform. It just uploads some pictures and types in some things and they make it look good. So kudos to Wix.  

The team that manages that also manages the inventory.

Marion Acres uses social media because it’s so powerful. Check out their Instagram and LinkTree . Like most business owners, they have found that their search engine optimization is what truly helps drive awareness.

They also mentioned that customer service is a big part of their value. They treat people like family and have a beautiful view with picnic tables. Geoff and John have created such a pleasant experience that some customers come almost daily.

Go start your own business!

Chicken is a staple of most people’s diets. Now you have an idea of how to start a poultry farm, so take a training course with poultry farming for beginners, buy some baby chicks, and get farming today!

Which type of farming would you rather do, broilers or egg-layers?

80% of businesses fail... Learn how not to.

Learn from business failures and successes in 5 min or less. The stories, frameworks, and tactics that will make you a 10x better founder.

Brandon Boushy

Related articles

340 Best Food Truck Names

Did you know there are nearly 50K food trucks in the U.S.?

From Asian street food to burgers, sweet treats, and pizza, there’s a food truck for everything. So for those who want to open a food truck , unique food truck names help them stand out from the pack.

We’ll share what makes a good food truck business name, provide lots of food truck name ideas, and show you how to register your food truck name after you choose one.

[su_note note_color="#dbeafc"] Get ready to find the perfect business name for your new food truck.

What makes a good food truck business name?

24 good food truck name ideas, 24 funny food truck names, 18 clever food truck names, 20 more good truck names, 22 taco truck names, 22 catchy food truck names, 22 mexican food truck names, 38 names for ice cream trucks, 18 good names for a food truck business, 32 cool food truck names, 32 creative food truck names, 34 food cart names, 34 breakfast food truck names, how to register your food truck name, great resources for food trucks.

• Next Steps After Choosing Your Food Truck Name [/su_note]

When choosing a name for your food truck business, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind:

• Memorability: Your name should be easy to remember and pronounce.
• Relevancy: Your name should reflect the type of food you serve or the atmosphere of your truck.
• Uniqueness: Your name should stand out from the competition.
• Timelessness: Your name should be something that will still sound good in a few years.
• Legality: Make sure your name is not already trademarked by another business.

With that in mind, take a look at the following food truck names. Consider them food for thought.

Consider the following list to name your own food truck business.

1. Culinary Voyage 2. Roving Refreshments 3. Fry Hard 4. Cookin' & Cruisin' 5. Motor Munches 6. Gourmet Odyssey 7. Grill Seekers 8. Chow Down 9. Parked Pita 10. World Plate 11. Brownie Points 12. Smoothie Operator

13. The Juice Box 14. Latte Da 15. Lemon Aid 16. Pop Up 17. Seoul Food Seduction 18. Nomadic Noodles 19. The Journeyman’s Feast 20. Burnout Burgers 21. Fastlane Food Co. 22. License to Grill 23. Curbside Cookin’ 24. Stove on the Street

Pro Tip: Describe what your food truck serves in your business name. This will help people find you when they're searching online. Many of the food truck name ideas in this list focus on common searches.

Some of the funniest food truck names are ones that are a play on words. Consider some of these fun food truck names:

1. The Codfather 2. Lord of the Fries 3. It’s Hot in Here 4. Wok & Roll 5. Wok & Stroll 6. Bun Voyage 7. Nacho Average Truck 8. Curry On 9. Buns N’ Roses 10. Pho Sho 11. Pasta La Vista 12. The Grillenium Falcon

13. Frying Nemo 14. Crepe Expectations 15. Muffin Top 16. Donut Worry 17. Pizza My Heart 18. Pho-verload 19. The Souper Hero 20. Seoul Mates 21. Forking Awesome Food Truck 22. Gas Money Grill 23. The Flat Tire 24. Haulin’ Oats

Other food trucks will have difficulty competing with these clever food truck business name ideas.

1. Drury Lane Muffin Co. 2. The Wandering Wok 3. Wanderlust Wok 4. Bun & Run Burgers 5. Whisk World Cuisine 6. Sushi Shuffle 7. Bite-Sized Bliss 8. Ramen Renegades 9. Seoul Searching Korean Delights

10. Global Grubbin' 11. Cheesus Crust 12. Dumpling Dynasty 13. Truck Yeah! 14. Spice & Dice: World on a Plate 15. Sushi Seishin 16. Soupercalifragilisticexpialidocious 17. Curry in a Hurry 18. Muffin to Lose

Pro tip: Don't be afraid to be creative and original with your food truck names. Funny business tames tend to help make your food truck stand out.

Good names for food trucks are abundant. Consider some of these names for your truck.

1. Falafel Freakout 2. Fork Yeah It's Flavorful 3. Spice & Dice Dice Baby 4. Burly Burgers & Beyond 5. Naan-believable Flavors 6. Forking Awesome Food Truck 7. The Wandering Wok Warrior 8. Sushi Shuffle 9. Bite-Sized Bliss 10. Queso-lution

11. Curry Up & Eat 12. The Bao Bunch 13. The Wandering Grill 14. Spice Up Your Life 15. The Wandering Pizzaiolo 16. Bite Squad 17. Dumpling Dynasty 18. Spice & Dice 19. Food Truck Follies 20. Where East Meets West

Pro Tip: Once you have a few food truck name ideas, test them out on your friends, family, and potential customers. Get their feedback and see what they think is the perfect food truck name.

Let’s taco bout some taco truck names. Whether you prefer a crunchy taco, soft taco, or enchilada, you need a great name for when you sell out of a taco trailer or truck. Check out some of these ideas.

1. El Guacahólico 2. Taco 'Bout Delicious 3. Taco 'Bout a Fiesta 4. Island Hoppin' Habanero 5. The Cheesy Grinner 6. Aloha Avocado 7. Taco the Town 8. Mac Daddy Machaca 9. Baja Fiesta 10. Taco Loco 11. Mole Mole Mole!

12. Condor Carnitas 13. Taco Fuego 14. The Black Bean 15. Taco Twist 16. Machaca Madness 17. Tofu Tango 18. Taco Samurai 19. Kickstart Fiesta 20. Taco Hero 21. Tacos on Wheels 22. Taco Space

Looking for a juicy name for your food truck? Try some of these food truck name ideas.

1. Spice It Up & Go! 2. The Hungry Hippie 3. Bite Me Burger Company 4. The Wandering Waffle Shop 5. Sizzle & Chill Grill 6. Pho Real, Folks! Food Truck 7. The Rolling Ravioli Company 8. Spice & Dice Cuisine 9. Wok This Way 10. Fork Yeah! Food Truck 11. The Burger Brigade

12. Pizza My Heart Truck 13. Dumpling Dynasty 14. Bao Buns & Beyond 15. Falafel Frenzy Food Truck 16. Curry Up, Sunshine! 17. Wok 'n' Wander Eats 18. Fork in the Road 19. Sizzle & Spice Streetside Cuisine 20. The Wandering Whisk 21. The Burger Brigade 22. Streetside Sensations

Pro Tip: Once you've chosen a food truck’s name, you need to protect it. Make sure to register it with the appropriate government agencies. This will protect your name from being used by other businesses.

1. Burrito Bae 2. Guac and Roll 3. Salsa and Spice 4. Fajita Fiesta Company 5. Elote of Love 6. Tamale Time 7. Enchilada Express 8. Cilantro and Lime Shop 9. Tortilla Thrills 10. Mexi-Go 11. Flan-tastic

12. Empanada Emporium 13. Margarita Madness 14. Nacho Mama’s Truck 15. Quesadilla Queen Shop 16. Burrito Bandito Company 17. Tostada Truck 18. Salsa Verde Shop 19. El Nopal Truck 20. Mexi-Melt Company 21. The Parked Piñata 22. El Diablo Truck

Pro Tip: This list is just the start. Your food truck name could even be in Spanish—just make sure it’s clear to all customers what you’re offering.

1. Rocky Road Trip 2. Cone with the Wind 3. Scoop Dreams 4. The Ice Cream Team 5. Sundae Funday 6. Chilly Vanilly 7. Frozen Assets 8. Lickety Split 9. The Cone Zone 10. Ice Ice Baby 11. The Chill Grill 12. Cream of the Crop 13. The Dairy Godmother 14. The Scoop Troop 15. Cone Appetit 16. Freeze the Day 17. The Sweet Spot 18. Frosty Bites 19. The Cream Machine

20. The Cone Ranger 21. The Iceberg 22. The Big Chill 23. The Frosty Fox 24. The Whipper Snapper 25. The Cold Case 26. The Ice Breaker 27. The Sugar Rush 28. The Frost Bite 29. The Ice Cap 30. The Sherbet Shop 31. The Cream Dream 32. The Slush Puppy 33. The Cone Head 34. The Ice Palace 35. The Scoop of the Century 36. The Chill Factor 37. The Cone-ucopia 38. The Ice Cream Station

1. Bite Co. 2. Bun Appetit Shop 3. Sauceome Company 4. Cheese Louise Co. 5. Bake It Easy 6. Brew Ha Ha 7. Souper Star 8. Pizza My Heart Co. 9. Rice and Shine

10. Chili Out 11. Muffin to Lose Co. 12. Falafel in Love 13. Wrap Star Shop 14. Fork It Over LLC 15. Pancake Break 16. Bread Zeppelin 17. Croissant Moon Co. 18. Noodle Around

Pro Tip: Food trucks normally cost between one-sixteenth and one-third of what it costs to start a restaurant. That makes a food truck a great way to become a food entrepreneur.

1. The Fry Guys 2. Wok This Way 3. Taco 'Bout It 4. Curbside Bites 5. Fries Before Guys 6. The Rolling Scones 7. Pita Pan 8. Souper Heroes 9. Buns on the Run 10. The Cheesy Rider 11. The Meatballer 12. The Spice Girls 13. The Crust Crusader 14. The Wrap Pack 15. The Crepe Escape 16. The Pie Hole

17. The Salad Bar 18. The Mac Attack 19. The Hummus Among Us 20. The Gyro Hero 21. The Rice Guys 22. The Pizza Cutter 23. Kebab King 24. The Noodle Bowl 25. The Sushi Bus 26. The Cookie Monster 27. The Pancake Stack 28. The Muffin Man 29. The Cupcake Factory 30. The Candy Crush 31. The Chocolate Bar 32. The Sweet Tooth

1. Crave Crafts 2. Flavor Wagon 3. Taste Trip 4. Yum Rush Express 5. Munch Master 6. Flavor Frenzy 7. Naan of Your Business 8. GourmetGo 9. Chow Chaser 10. Meatballin’ 11. Kebabylon 12. Chili Con Carnage 13. The Breakfast Club 14. Banh Mi and You 15. Rice Rice Baby 16. Hot Dogma

17. Pie Hard 18. The Falafel Tower 19. The Hummuside 20. Nacho Problem 21. Sushi and the Banshees 22. Bacon and Legs 23. The Spud Stud 24. The Wingman 25. The Ramen Empire 26. Gyro Hero 27. The Sandwich Witch 28. The Pasta Point 29. The Burrito Bandito 30. The Donut Hole 31. The Pancake Stack 32. The Bagel Boss

Pro Tip: If you can’t think of a show stopping name, the simpler the better. Let potential customers know what to expect.

1. Wok n' Stroll 2. Cheesy Does It 3. Forklore Fusion 4. Patty Paradise 5. Taco 'Bout Tasty 6. The Crepe Escapee 7. Poke a Hole in Hunger 8. Quesadilla Craze 9. Grillin' & Chillin' 10. Wafflicious Treats 11. Gyro Giro Gyro 12. Bao Down Bliss 13. Arepa Allure 14. Ramen Rhapsody 15. Pizza My Slice 16. Wrap It Real Good 17. Smoothie Showdown

18. Donut Delight 19. Burrito Bonanza 20. Noodle Nirvana 21. Curry Up Already! 22. Wok with Wisdom 23. Naan-stop Munching 24. The Patty Playground 25. Wok a Wonder 26. Arepa Aficionado 27. The Ramen Renegade 28. Gyro-matic Flavors 29. Wok Wonders 30. Bun Bonanza 31. Cheesy Dreamland 32. Forklore Fantasia 33. Batter Blastoff 34. The Sandwich Stand

1. Batter Believe It 2. Flippin' Awesome 3. Breakfast of Champions 4. Caffeinated Caravan 5. Bacon Me Smile 6. Oattitude Adjustment 7. Morning Mantra 8. Sunny Smoothie Stand 9. Sunrise Sippers & Snacks 10. Burrito Sunrise 11. Bagelicious 12. Fritter Fanatics 13. Flapjack Fiesta 14. Scrambled 15. Muffin Monarchy 16. French Toast Frenzy 17. Sconehenge

18. Sunrise Snacks & Sips 19. Griddle Galaxy 20. Yolked & Loaded Express 21. Pancake Playground 22. Caffeinated Creations 23. Donut Disruption 24. Croissant Conquest 25. Scrambled Sunshine 26. Rise & Shine Smoothies 27. Muffin Menagerie 28. French Toast Fairytale 29. Donut Delights & Dreams 30. Smoothie Shack Sensation 31. Oatventure Awaits 32. Scrambled Sensations 33. Donut Den 34. Croissant Crusaders

You’ll have to go through some extra steps to register your food truck’s name because food establishments commonly need health inspections. This goes for a brick-and-mortar restaurant, too.

• Do your research: Check if the name you want is available in your state by searching the state's business name database. Make sure another company hasn’t trademarked the name. You’ll also want to check if the domain name and social media profiles are available.
• Choose a legal structure: Decide whether you want to operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC. Each legal structure has its own advantages and disadvantages— learn more here .
• File for a business license: Contact your local city or county clerk's office to find out what licenses and permits you need to operate a food truck.
• Register your business name: File a DBA (“doing business as”) name with your state's business registration office. This will allow you to operate your food truck under a name other than your legal name.
• Get insurance: Purchase liability insurance and commercial auto insurance to protect yourself from financial losses.
• Open a bank account: Open a separate bank account for your food truck business. This will help you keep your business finances separate from your personal finances.
• Get a health permit: Contact your local health department to learn what health permits you need to operate a food truck.

We’ve talked with a lot of food truck business owners about how to get started in the food truck industry. Check out some of our other resources for food truck owners:

• Food truck buying guide: Learn more in our blog about buying a food truck .
• Food truck financing: You might have a great idea for a new food truck, but you’ll need money to start your food business. Here’s more about food truck financing .

Next Steps After Choosing Your Food Truck Name

You finished the naming process, but there is still plenty of work to do in your culinary adventure. Start by checking out our step-by-step guide on how to start a small business .

How to Choose the Right Location for Your Business

How the location of business impacts the success

Types of business locations.

• What is the right location for a retail business

Business location factors to consider

• The pricing of property impacts your costs and profit margin. Retail Minded has an article about how Britain asks commercial properties to reduce rents to stimulate economies .
• Some locations can make it hard or dangerous for employees to get to work, impacting companies' eligible pool of talent.
• If a company is far from its target audience it will cost more in travel costs. If they are a service business it will likely result in fewer customers if they will need to come to the business location.
• Failure to follow zoning laws can incur penalties. In New Jersey, the penalties can be up to $10,000 .
• If two salons are right next to each other, one will probably go out of business (or be bought by the other. This goes for many businesses that are fairly interchangeable.
• Shopping centers – Great places for retail space, grocery stores, restaurants, and salons
• Business parks – Best for offices spaces
• Coworking spaces – Best for knowledge-based workers that need a quiet space to work and to meet clients
• Home businesses – Best for companies starting off that have no inventory and no customers come to their locations
• Industrial areas – If your industry lets off major pollutants, you'll probably need to be in an area zoned for this.
• Arts districts – Best for companies focused on creative work.
• Malls – Best for companies targeting teenagers and companies that can operate booths
• Warehouses  – Best for construction businesses
• Standalone – Car washes, mechanics, fast food, restaurants
• Agricultural – Rural areas with land for growing food. Make sure it isn't protected by EPA before buying or the business owner could lose lots of money.
• Near your demographic
• Square footage
• The other businesses nearby
• Foot traffic
• Government Incentives
• Access to Transportation

Factor 1: Near your target market

Factor 2: square footage, factor 3: pricing, factor 4: zoning.

• Agricultural – Land for growing food, cotton, tobacco, and marijuana (where it’s legal)
• Commercial – Restaurants, retail stores, and salons
• Residential – Homes, duplexes, apartments
• Industrial – HVAC, electrical, manufacturing, supply houses, and businesses targeting the employees of the previously listed companies.
• Mixed-use – Typically a mix of commercial and residential, but could be mixes of others

Factor 5: The other businesses nearby

• Are there certain types of businesses that would be good to be near? For instance, a Lululemon might want to be near a 24 Hour Fitness so they can sell athletic gear to the gym's customers.
• How close are competitors or your other locations? You don't want to have two coffee shops in the same parking lot, or even on the same cross streets unless the cross streets have an insane amount of traffic.

Factor 6: Foot traffic

• How many walk-in customers do you have per weekday? Weekend days?
• What are your busiest times of the day?
• Do you have seasonal fluctuations? If so, what are they?

Factor 7: Parking

• One parking spot for each of your employees
• One parking spot for every three customers based on maximum occupancy of service businesses

Factor 8: Government Incentives

Factor 9: access to transportation, go find your perfect business location.

Vending Machine Business Plan: The Ultimate Guide

You’ve looked into the steps of starting a vending machine business, but you haven’t developed business plans. We’ll help you create a vending machine business plan.

Adam Hill has owned and operated Hill Vending since 2014, when he bought a $120 vending route. Now he’s making over $600K in annual sales. He’ll share vending machine tips so you know how to estimate vending machine profits and other costs.

[su_note note_color="#dbeafc"]

We’ll explain everything you need to know to communicate your business plan. These vending machine business links will send you directly to the section of the blog you want to read:

What Is a Vending Machine Business Plan?

Why you need a vending business plan, how to buy vending machines, vending machine business plan template, executive summary, company analysis, vending machine industry analysis, customer analysis, competitive analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, management team, income statement, balance sheets, cash flow statement, how much are vending machines, how to start a vending machine business, how much does a vending machine make, what do i need to start a vending machine business.

• Write Your Vending Machine Business Plan [/su_note]

A vending machine business plan provides a snapshot of where your business is, where it’s going, and how you will achieve the business goals over the next three to 10 years.

Vending business plans will include market research on the vending machine industry, local vending machine associations, a marketing plan, an operations plan, and a financial plan to provide a clear path of how you expect your vending machine company to make money and grow.

Your chances of starting a successful vending machine business double by writing and following a vending machine business plan. Plus, companies that follow their business plans grow nearly 30% faster and get more funding than those without a business plan.

Make sure to update your vending machine business plan annually as your company grows and achieves its goals.

The main ways to buy a vending machine business are personal savings, credit cards, private loans from the current business owner, bank loans, and angel investors.

Private Loans

One of the top ways to get into the vending machine industry is to buy an existing vending machine business. Business owners will often agree to owner financing, where you pay 0-20% down and then pay off the remainder over one to five years.

Banks will want to review your vending machine business plan and decide whether they believe you can accomplish the goals you’ve included. More specifically, a loan officer will want to see a professional vending machine business plan to verify that your financial assumptions are reasonable.

Angel Investors

Another way to fund a vending machine business is by taking a loan or equity deal from angel investors. An angel investor is just a wealthy individual who helps people start businesses in exchange for a share of the profits.

Learn more about buying a vending machine .

You’ll want a business plan template for your vending machine business. Download our free vending machine business plan template below.

You’ll also get our How to Start a Vending Machine Business PDF.

Check out our other business plan templates for more resources or watch our interview with a business owner who started one of the fastest growing franchises in North America to learn how he writes a business plan.

What Should I Include in a Vending Machine Startup Business Plan?

A business plan for a vending machine company should include:

• Competitor Analysis
• Vending Machine Marketing Plan
• Vending Machine Operations Plan
• Vending Machine Financial Plan

Keep reading to learn what vending machine operators should include in their business plans. We’ll also provide examples of what key parts of a vending machine business plan might look like.

Vending machine operators should start their business plan with an executive summary. All an executive summary does is summarize what the rest of the document is about.

The executive summary should be under a page long and should include a sentence or two about each section so that people can get the main points quickly.

This section of your vending machine business plan should include:

• An introduction to your company
• Your company’s mission and values
• The vending machine services you’ll offer
• Your competitive advantage

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the vending machine business. Your research will help you understand the market, improve your strategy to utilize market trends, and prove to readers you know what you’re talking about.

Your vending machine business plan should answer the following questions about the vending industry:

• How much do vending machines make a month? (Both as an industry and per machine)
• How much of the industry revenue is in the local market? Use the industry revenue multiplied by your location divided by the U.S. population.
• Is the market growing or shrinking?
• Who are the market leaders in the industry?
• Who are the primary vending machine manufacturers and suppliers of products?
• What vending machine business trends will impact the industry?
• What is the vending industry’s 5-10 year growth forecast?

I suggest using the IBIS World report we linked to earlier because it includes all the information about the U.S. vending machine market. You may need to purchase a local plan as well.

Industry Analysis Example

The vending machine industry makes $10 billion per year across 17,739 vending operators in the U.S. That means they make an average of $563,729 per year.

The average monthly revenue of a vending machine is approximately $2,000, which means a company needs 24 machines to earn the average across the industry.

The Las Vegas vending machine business market is approximately $69,343,972.03, and there are 99 vending machine operators , which means each vending machine operator is making approximately $140K per year more than the national average.

The market is expected to slightly decline in revenue, but companies that capitalize on existing trends like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and specialized vending machines are able to see growth by creating new markets in high-traffic areas.

According to ThomasNet , the major vending machine equipment manufacturers and suppliers are:

Adam suggested two manufacturers of vending machines he prefers to use.

[su_quote] AMS and Vendo are by far the best machines I’ve used. [/su_quote]

In addition, snack foods and drinks are available from stores like:

• Coke distributors
• Pepsi distributors
• Other distributors

Your vending machine business plan should describe the target market you will be providing vending.

Your target market will impact the pricing and product options you carry. Make sure to understand the demographics of the customers in each type of facility you serve. You won’t want to offer the same vending machine products in a gas station as you would a cardiac wing in a hospital.

Analyze customer demographics. You’ll want to discuss the age, gender, location, and income levels of decision-makers, their customers, and where you want to place your vending machines .

You’ll also want to include psychographic profiles, meaning the details of your customers’ wants and needs. You wouldn’t want to offer all candy and soda in a yoga studio vending machine because the students will probably want water and healthier snack choices.

Your vending machine business plan should include a competitive analysis that shows your understanding of the direct and indirect competitors you will be competing with for your target customers.

Direct competitors are limited to vending machine operators in the local area, while indirect competitors are any type of business where your target customers can get the same products.

A vending machine business will have indirect competitors, including grocery stores, convenience stores, delivery apps, pharmacies, and fast food restaurants.

Not mentioning these vending machine competitors may show lenders that you don’t realize there are other places where someone can buy the same products even when in a rush.

You want to describe in greater detail the other vending machine businesses you’ll compete with. Your direct competitors will be other vending machine locations within a mile of your machine.

Create an analysis of each local vending machine company that answers the following:

• What locations does each business serve?
• What items do they sell in the vending machines?
• How do they price each item?
• What are the machine owners’ competitive advantages?
• What opportunities do they leave open?

After you’ve done this, you should be able to answer questions like:

• How can I provide superior products?
• What products can I offer that competitors do not?
• How can I create an excellent customer service culture?
• Can I beat their pricing?

Finding ways to provide better customer service at a similar or lower cost will provide a competitive advantage. Just make sure the pricing is correct for your vending machine business to be successful.

Have you ever heard of the 4Ps of marketing?

Every vending machine business should include them in its marketing plan.

This section of your vending machine business plan should remind the reader what type of vending machine business you are. Make sure to be specific about the products you’ll be offering in your vending machines. You’ll want to keep the product list consistent across vending machines.

You should have already analyzed how other vending machine businesses sell their products. Now it’s time to create your pricing guide. Adam suggests pricing the products at twice what you pay for them.

If you buy a 12-pack of soda from Sam’s Club for $12.99, then your vending machine company should be selling each can for $2.25 if the market will allow it. At the very least, factor in 50 cents profit per item.

Where will you be placing your vending machines? Document every location, the types of vending machines at the location, and how often you’ll need to check it.

You should also explain why each location is a good spot for a vending machine in your vending machine business plan. Learn more about vending machine placement .

The promotion section of a vending machine marketing plan documents how you will help people find your vending machine company and the locations where you have placed a vending machine.

Some promotional methods you might use for a vending machine company include:

• A vending machine website
• Adding your branding to your vehicle
• Creating brochures for business owners
• Focusing on vending machine experience and user experience (UX)
• Keeping your vending machines clean and branding them to help people recognize your brand
• Placing vending machines in strategic locations
• Providing maps that show where your vending machine business is located
• Sharing cool features of your vending machines on social media

You could also create a course to help other people learn how to start a vending machine business. That’s one of the ways that Adam has built upon his vending machine business. Check out our free vending machine training .

An operations plan is part of your vending machine business plan that explains your daily operations. Your operations plan should include two sections:

• Long-term goals
• Processes for operational excellence

Long-Term Goals

What milestones do you want to achieve in your vending machine company?

Your long-term goals might include the number of machines you want by a certain date, when you want to hire employees, and how much revenue you want within five years.

Make sure to add these details to your vending machine business plan.

Processes for Your Vending Machine Business

Your processes are the steps you will take during the day to keep your vending machine business running smoothly. Your main tasks will include:

• Buy vending machine products
• Store vending machine products
• Deliver machines
• Restock vending machines
• Clean vending machines
• Buy new vending machines
• Secure contracts for vending machine placement
• Buy vending machine routes
• Provide customer service

You should also include your management team and business structure in your vending machine business plan. Planning for a team shows that you have thought through starting a vending machine business and realize that you can’t do everything.

While vending machine businesses are typically able to be run by a single person, that doesn’t mean you won’t need help from other professionals including:

• Vending Machine Repair Person
• Sales and Marketing

Hiring people to manage portions of the company you don’t understand will make starting a vending machine business much easier. Emphasize how your leadership team is going to make you more successful by touting their past experience.

Direct experience in the vending machine business is best, but if your team has experience in other areas that are related, it works well, too. An advisory board familiar with vending machines is also an option.

Financial Plan

When you own vending machine business assets, you need a financial plan. Your financial plan should cover one to five years from your vending machine business starting.

Three financial statements should be included with your business plan:

• Income statement
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow statement

A Profit and Loss statement, P&L, or income statement shows your revenues and expenses to show how much money you made or lost.

You’ll have to make some assumptions when you create an income statement. Vending machine owners will need to make and document assumptions that answer the following:

• How many products will you serve?
• What will inflation be?
• How much will revenue grow each year? How?

Example Vending Machines Income Statement

Let’s assume the following:

• We bought 10 vending machines for $20,000 with $0 down and one year to pay $25K.
• Revenue is $2K/month per machine .
• Gross margins are 50% .
• Taxes are 20% .
• Marketing costs $1,000 annually .

Note: EBITDA = Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization

Balance sheets are used to compare your assets and liabilities. Your balance sheet will show five sections:

• Current Assets: Cash and items that can be turned into cash within a year, including accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses, and marketable securities.
• Long-Term Assets: Items that cannot be sold fast, like land, patents, brands, trademarks, goodwill, and vending machine equipment.
• Current Liabilities: Any debt due within a year, including accounts payable, debt financing, payroll, rent, utilities, and other accrued expenses.
• Long-Term Liabilities: Any debts that last longer than a year, including bonds payable, deferred taxes, leases, loans, and pensions
• Shareholder Equity: Shares, reserves, and retained earnings are all parts of owners’ equity

Effectively, you are aiming to balance the equation:

Current Assets + Long Term Assets = Current Liabilities + Long-Term Liabilities + Shareholder Equity

Learn more about balance sheets .

Your cash flow statement shows how much money you need in your business bank account to cover startup costs and operating expenses until you are fully self-sustaining.

Your cash flow statement adjusts the net income to add:

• Depreciation
• Decreases in accounts payable
• Increases in taxes payable
• Increases in accounts receivable

Then you’ll want to subtract the cost of any inventory to get the cash from operations. You’ll also want line items for any investment or financing you need for the following items:

• Cost of equipment like vending machines, refrigerated delivery trucks, etc.
• Cost of maintaining an adequate amount of inventory
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

The final part of your vending machine business plan should be an appendix that includes all the supporting documentation for your business plan. You’ll want to include tables, links, and citations so that anyone reviewing your vending machine business plan can verify your facts.

For the sake of brevity, in this Example Appendix, I am only including the formula I used for the Las Vegas Vending Machine Industry calculation.

Vending Machine Business FAQs

Buying a vending machine will cost anywhere from $100 for a small candy vending machine to a few thousand dollars for new and used drink or snack machines. The custom vending machine cost can reach $20,000.

Starting a vending machine business requires:

• Establishing if the vending machine business will be profitable
• Creating financial projections
• Writing a vending machine business plan
• Forming your vending machine business
• Buying a vending machine
• Getting products to fill your vending machine
• Finding a location for your vending machine
• Storing vending machine products
• Maintaining vending machines
• Restocking and collecting money from your vending machine investment

According to Adam, most vending machines make around $2,000 per month if they are in good locations.

Market research may show that other vending machines can have even better results, but use $2,000 a month per machine in financial projections for your business plan unless you can document that your machines will have better returns.

Of the $2,000, approximately 30% should be profits or wages.

The vending machine business model normally requires a:

• Vending machine
• Business license and LLC
• Location for the vending machine
• Way to handle refunds

Write Your Vending Machine Business Plan

Whether you decide to offer ice cream vending machines, coffee vending machines, or bulk vending machines, a vending machines business plan will help you make the most out of your new venture.

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to download your free business plan.

What will be your vending machines business model?

Discover the latest trends in poultry breeding and genetics in Pakistan with Poultrybaba.com. https://poultrybaba.com/blogs/the-amount-of-calcium-in-milk

Hello everybody. I'm from Kharkov Ukraine. After Putin spoke about nuclear weapons and a wave of missile attacks began in Ukraine, a difficult situation developed. My wife and I have a small project in the field of agriculture. We support the economy and business of Ukraine. We would like to ask for your support. We will be grateful for any help. Thank you. https://fdrecipe.com/en/support

Become a business owner in less than 90 days

Start your 10-day free trial of the UpFlip Academy and learn how to start your own business from scratch.

Get business advice straight to your   Inbox 

Need a business plan? Call now:

Talk to our experts:

• Business Plan for Investors
• Bank/SBA Business Plan
• Operational/Strategic Planning
• L1 Visa Business Plan
• E1 Treaty Trader Visa Business Plan
• E2 Treaty Investor Visa Business Plan
• EB1 Business Plan
• EB2 Visa Business Plan
• EB5 Business Plan
• Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan
• UK Start-Up Visa Business Plan
• UK Expansion Worker Visa Business Plan
• Manitoba MPNP Visa Business Plan
• Start-Up Visa Business Plan
• Nova Scotia NSNP Visa Business Plan
• British Columbia BC PNP Visa Business Plan
• Self-Employed Visa Business Plan
• OINP Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
• LMIA Owner Operator Business Plan
• ICT Work Permit Business Plan
• LMIA Mobility Program – C11 Entrepreneur Business Plan
• USMCA (ex-NAFTA) Business Plan
• Franchise Business Planning 
• Landlord Business Plan 
• Nonprofit Start-Up Business Plan 
• USDA Business Plan
• Cannabis business plan 
• eCommerce business plan
• Online Boutique Business Plan
• Mobile Application Business Plan
• Daycare business plan
• Restaurant business plan
• Food Delivery Business Plan
• Real Estate Business Plan
• Business Continuity Plan
• Buy Side Due Diligence Services
• ICO whitepaper
• ICO consulting services
• Confidential Information Memorandum
• Private Placement Memorandum
• Feasibility study
• Fractional CFO
• How it works
• Business Plan Examples

Poultry Farming Business Plan Sample

Oct.12, 2016

Average rating 4.2 / 5. Vote count: 6

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Table of Content

Do you want to start a Poultry Farming business plan?

Starting a business in the food sector requires an ambitious plan. For a poultry farm business, a good business plan for poultry farming will be needed to make it successful. 

The primary step to starting this business is to learn how to write a business plan for poultry farming. You can go for food delivery service business plans if the major focus of your startup will be to deliver poultry products. 

However, if you are looking to open a farming business in the poultry sector, reading an organic farm business plan or reading this example is a great start. Just like any other business, you will need to develop a solid business plan for a poultry farm. It can help you get required permits as well as investors in situations of need. Here, we will be presenting the business plan for Chuck’s Produce Farm.

Executive Summary

2.1 about the farm.

Chuck’s Produce Farm will be a poultry farm started by Henry Chuck. The primary objective of the business will be to provide poultry products such as chicken meat and eggs to supermarkets as well as nearby restaurants. 

2.2 How will the Farm be Managed?

According to its Chicken Farming business plan , Chuck’s produce farm will be managed through a detailed plan. The business plan of the poultry farm will include management guides for all aspects of the business, from finances to operations. Henry read through many business plan poultry farming samples to ensure that his chicken poultry farm business plan address all the possible tricky aspects of the business. 

In this business plan online template, we will show you how to make a poultry farm business plan for your business. 

2.3 Customers of Poultry Farming Company

Our customers will primarily be other businesses to whom we will provide our products and services to be transferred to the general public. Thus, our main customer groups will include:

• Supermarket Chains
• Small Produce Businesses 
• Food Factories
• Restaurants 

2.4 Business Target

The target of Chuck’s Produce Farm will be to become the major supplier of poultry products to businesses in and around Dallas. The business will aim to gain at least a 60% share in the local market by the end of the second year. 

The financial targets that the business is aiming to achieve are demonstrated below:

Company Summary

3.1 farm ownership & management.

Henry Chuck will be the owner and primary manager of Chuck’s Produce Farm. He studied biology and biochemistry as a student and then worked with many organizations to manage product dissemination operations. His father had a farm, and it was always his dream to make use of the farm to create an organic business. 

3.2 Why is the Farm Being Started?

Henry noticed that with an increase in the consumption of food, especially poultry products, industries had started to resort to harmful chemicals just to meet demands. He wanted to change the narrative by providing organic and healthy poultry substitutes so that local people could consume poultry products without the added harm of chemicals. 

3.3 Basic Steps to Start Poultry Farm Business

Step1: Refine Your Idea

The first step to the start of anything new is an idea. So, before Henry even thought about how to set up a poultry farm , he needed a basic business idea. Refining the idea before he developed a business plan on poultry farming was a great advantage as it helped him limit the scope of his planning. 

Step2: Develop the Uniqueness 

The next step before writing a poultry farming business plan is to develop the unique areas of your business. Henry used this step as a build-up of the idea. He knew the importance of marketable businesses and products, so he created a brand around the unique propositions of his farm. 

Step3: Location Selection and Permits

Henry already had a location for starting Chuck’s Produce Farm. However, since one cannot start a commercial farm on a whim, he worked to get the required permissions from local authorities. This will allow him to run his business smoothly without any legal complications. 

Step4: Online Presence

Since Henry’s business idea is focused on commercial customers instead of the public, so most of the orders will be in bulk. In order to manage such orders and keep up to date with customers and their demands, Henry decided to invest in the development of an online portal with which his customers could put in orders. Henry also decided to develop social media profiles for his business for a greater audience reach about organic products. 

Step5: Follow the Plan

One cannot learn how to run a poultry business or any other business without dedicating research to a developed plan. After developing the business plan for poultry farm pdf, Henry will follow the guidelines to establish a sustainable farming business.

Services 

When thinking about how start a poultry farming business , Henry zoned in on the services he would be providing to his customers. This helped him filter out what operations needed planning and which ones didn’t. To start a poultry farm business or any other business for that matter, a refined list of marketable products and services is needed. In his small scale poultry farming business plan, Henry decided to add all the services that his produce farm aimed to provide. To learn how to open a poultry farm, you can look at the list of services we are providing in this poultry farm business plan. You can also refer to a cattle farming business plan to understand what scale of services is best to start a business. 

• Chicken and Turkey Products

The first set of products offered by Chuck’s Produce Farm will be chicken and turkey. We will offer clean meat that is processed in different ways. Our customers will be able to buy full chickens or turkeys ready for roast, boneless meat, and so on. 

Chuck’s Produce Farm will also rear chickens for laying eggs. This will be an added facet to Henry’s pdf on poultry farming business plan. The farm will provide these eggs to our customers regularly at a wholesale price. 

• Poultry Rearing Services

The farm will also aid other smaller poultry farms with proper rearing of poultry and chickens for both eggs and meat. In this regard, our farmers will give training sessions and tips to the locals.  

• Chick Shipments

Our last service will be to provide chicks to poultry farms in other parts of the country. This is to promote the development and rearing of own meat and poultry in all parts of the country. This service will help in the sustainable consumption and rearing of poultry in the industry.

Marketing Analysis of Poultry Farming Company

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

Starting a poultry farm business requires the collection and use of a lot of information. No business can be started without knowing about your target market. Whether you are developing a dairy farm business plan or a business plan for a poultry farm pdf, you need to learn about the target market. 

Therefore, Henry decided to do some research into the poultry farm industry when learning how to set up a poultry farm business. He learned that the business plan of poultry farming should include its products and services along with its unique propositions over the market. It should inquire into the previous trends and predicted future trends to invest in operations that are useful in figuring how to establish a poultry farm. 

After looking into the industry, Henry knew the major trends which he decided to utilize in developing his business plan for poultry farm . Through these trends, Henry identified the target customers for his business as presented in the poultry farming business plan template below.

5.1 Market Trends

According to IBISWorld, chicken and turkey meat production has a market share of around $30 Billion in the United States alone. And according to Reportlinker’s “Poultry Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030” report, the industry has a growth rate of 3.8%. This means there is significant room in the industry for another player like Chuck’s Produce Farms.   

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The target customers of Chuck’s Produce Farm are as follows:

Business plan for investors

5.2.1 supermarket chains.

Our primary customers will be the supermarket chains in Dallas. We will provide the products for their meat and produce sections. We will also provide eggs and other meat options for these chains. Thus, they will be our indirect link to the public. 

5.2.2 Small Produce Businesses

The second set of customers we expect to serve will be small produce businesses. Smaller businesses have a harder time setting up their operations and properly rearing poultry. Thus, Chuck’s Produce Farm will offer training and shadowing services to these new businesses to promote the production of poultry on a local scale. 

5.2.3 Food Factories

Our third target group of customers will be food factories in the nearby areas that need poultry like chicken and turkey along with eggs to create their products. We expect to have contracts with quite a few of these factories. 

5.2.4 Restaurants

Our final target group will be restaurants in Dallas. Usually, restaurants look for the wholesale rate of poultry products to save expenses. Therefore, Chuck’s Produce Farm will reach out to many restaurants for an exclusive contract to supply organic poultry products.

5.3 Business Target

• To achieve the status as the best organic poultry farm in Dallas.
• Promote the production of clean poultry products across the country.
• To provide chemical-free meat and poultry products to our customers.
• To increase the preference for organic, chemical-free poultry over regular one.

5.4 Product Pricing

Since our products have to compete with industrial products at a commercial level, our prices will be similar to the market competitors. However, at the same price, we will be providing chemical-free products that can be checked for health benefits against competing products.

Marketing Strategy

To write a business plan on poultry farming, Henry ventured to search for his target market. This allowed him to develop a business plan sample for poultry farm that could focus on marketing for these particular customers.

A marketing plan is an essential element of a farming poultry business plan. In fact, it is a very important part of every business plan, whether it is a pig farm business plan or a broiler poultry farming business plan.

Therefore, in this business plan, we are presenting the marketing plan and strategies for Chuck’s Produce Farm.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• We will provide meat that is free of chemicals usually used to increase the growth rate or size.
• We will offer organic products that stem from proper poultry grooming.
• We will aid local poultry farms and focus on a helping business model.
• We will use organic and eco-friendly feed and products that harm neither the poultry nor its consumers.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will offer organic products as compared to the chemically treated ones in the market.
• We will reach contracts with local restaurants and businesses.
• We will advertise through word of mouth and local training and guide sessions held throughout Dallas.

[get_in_touch_small text=”Any questions?” bold=’Get in Touch’]

6.3 sales monthly, 6.4 sales yearly, 6.5 sales forecast, personnel plan.

If you have hen business ideas or something of the like, you may be trying to learn how to start a small poultry farm. Henry had the idea of an organic farm business plan which is how he developed the idea of Chuck’s Produce Farm. To ensure the success of his business, Henry added an employee section in his business plan for a poultry farm . The workforce needed to start Chuck’s Produce Farm can be found below for reference. 

7.1 Company Staff

• 1 Co-Manager to help in overall operations
• 10 Trained Poultry Farmers
• 2 Vets 
• 8 General Cleaners
• 1 Technician to maintain machines
• 3 Sales and Marketing Executives
• 1 Accountant

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

Starting a poultry farm requires much more than a food idea. It requires consistent effort and planning to maintain the business. In order to develop a successful business plan for poultry farming, Henry put in a significant amount of effort in the financial analysis section. 

To start and run a sustainable business, Henry planned out the costs for different operations of the farm along with expected sales and product prices. This kind of financial analysis is necessary for every business plan, may it be a goat farming business plan . For making a financial plan for your startup, you can follow the example below for guidance.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis, 8.3 projected profit and loss, 8.3.1 profit monthly, 8.3.2 profit yearly, 8.3.3 gross margin monthly, 8.3.4 gross margin yearly, 8.4 projected cash flow, 8.5 projected balance sheet, 8.6 business ratios.

• How do I start a poultry farm business plan?

You can start chicken farm by looking at poultry farming business ideas and developing a good business plan like the one above. 

• How much profit does a poultry farm make?

According to ChickenFeedMachinery, a poultry farmer can make up to $2000/month for 300 egg-laying chickens, but it varies from one type of business to the next. 

• Is poultry farming a profitable business?

A poultry farming business can be highly profitable if you have a commercial poultry farm business plan like the one shown above. 

• Which poultry is most profitable?

The success of a poultry business depends more on its management than its type. So, you can download a poultry farm business plan like the one above to sharpen those skills.

Download Poultry Farm Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

Vegetable Farming Business Plan

Trading Business Plan

How To Write A Textile Manufacturing Business Plan

Start a Vending Machine Business in 2024: A Detailed Guide

Oil and Gas Business Plan

What Is Strategic Planning: Definition and Process

Any questions? Get in Touch!

We have been mentioned in the press:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Search the site:

Poultry Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Agriculture Industry » Livestock Farming » Poultry » Poultry Business Plan

Are you about starting a poultry farm ? If YES, here’s a complete sample poultry farming business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE to raise money .

There are quite a great number of things that are highly needed by man as a nutritious source of food that is gotten from the poultry. Chief amongst them is them the egg. Poultry farms all over the world has egg as one of its primary produce and that is why people will continue to look to poultry farms to churn this out.

To start a poultry related business, you will first need to learn the ropes. Undertaking a thorough and exhaustive research is also one of the tasks that you will be saddled with.  Thereafter you might be required to do some apprenticeship so as to have firsthand experience on how to run a poultry farm.

A Sample Poultry Farming Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The agricultural industry of which poultry farming and egg production is a subset of is no doubt among the leading industry in most countries of the world; it is the industry that produces chicken and eggs for the populace.

Because of the significant role the agriculture sector plays, the government of most countries ensures that they go all the way to subsidize seedlings, fertilizers, and farming implements and machinery for farmers and also encourage entrepreneurs to go into commercial farming (poultry farming inclusive).

Hens, various birds, quails, guinea fowls, ducks et al are all birds that can be comfortably reared in a poultry farm. Chicken and birds are widely consumed in all parts of the world hence there is a large market for poultry farmers. If you are looking towards starting a livestock breeding business, then one of your options is to settle for poultry farming.

Poultry farming is a highly thriving and profitable business venture. Aside from the fact that people consume birds and chickens et al, supply of eggs is also a major source of revenue generation for poultry farmer. Players in the poultry farming and egg production industry basically raise chickens for meat, and egg production. The eggs produced may be sold for use as table eggs or hatching eggs.

The Poultry Farm and Egg Production Company Industry is indeed a very large industry and pretty much thriving in all parts of the world especially in developed countries such as United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Italy et al.

Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 30,000 licensed and registered poultry farm and egg production company directly responsible for employing about 280,800 employees and indirectly responsible for employing roughly 1,339,900.

The industry rakes in a whooping sum of $10 billion annually with an annual growth rate projected at 6.1 percent. It is important to state that the establishments with a lion share of the available market in this industry are Cal – Maine, Land O’Lake, Inc., Michael Foods and Rose Acres Farms.

Statistics also has it that an estimate of about 35 companies are involved in the business of raising, processing and marketing chickens on a  commercial level; they export chickens, processed chickens and eggs to other countries of the world.

It is on record that Americans consume more chicken than anyone else in the world – more than 90 pounds per capita in 2015 – the number one protein consumed in the United States. So also, in 2015, almost 9 billion broiler chickens, weighing 53 billion pounds, live – weight, were produced. More than 40 billion pounds of chicken product was marketed, measured on a ready-to-cook basis.

The United States has the largest broiler chicken industry in the world, and about 19 percent of egg and chicken production was exported to other countries in 2015.Research conducted shows that the top 5 broiler producing states in the US are Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina and Mississippi.

If you are looking towards leveraging on the agriculture industry to generate huge income, then one of your best bet is to start a poultry farm and egg production business.

One thing is certain about starting poultry farming and egg production business, if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies , you are more likely not going to struggle to sell your eggs and chickens because there are always food processing companies and consumers out there who are ready to buy from you.

2. Executive Summary

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a world – class and licensed poultry farm and egg Production Company that will be based in the outskirt of Santa Fe, New Mexico – United States. We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure a hundred hectares of land to start our poultry farm and egg production business.

Our poultry farm is going to be standard commercial poultry farm hence will be involved in raising, processing and marketing chickens and eggs ( Table eggs produced by battery chickens (white ), Table eggs produced by battery chickens (brown), Hatching eggs, Specialty eggs, and Table eggs produced by free-range chickens ) on a commercial level; we export chickens, processed chickens and eggs to other countries of the world.

We are in the commercial poultry farm and egg production line of business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the agriculture industry, to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food production, and also to export chicken and eggs from the United States to other countries and over and above to make profit.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is well positioned to become one of the leading commercial poultry farms and egg production business in the United States of America, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands and machines to run the company with.

We have put process and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to commercial poultry farms and egg production processes as required by the regulating bodies in the United States of America. At Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC, our customer’s best interest will always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a private registered commercial poultry farm and egg production company that is owned by Mr. Noble Ernest and his immediate family members. The poultry farm will be fully and single handedly financed by the owner – Mr. Noble Ernest and his immediate family members at least for a period of time.

Before starting Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC, and Mr. Noble Ernest was the Head of a renowned Agriculture Research Institute in The U.S. he worked in the industry for well over 10 years before resigning to start his own commercial poultry farm and egg production business. He is of course well experienced and highly qualified to run this type of business.

3. Our Products and Services

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a standard commercial poultry farms and egg production company that is committed to raising chickens and producing eggs for both the United States’ market and the global market. We are in the commercial poultry farms and production line of business to make profits and we are going to do all we can to achieve our business goals, aim and objectives.

These are the areas we will concentrate on in our commercial poultry farms. If need arises we will definitely add more poultry produce to our list;

• Raising, processing and marketing chickens on a commercial level; we export chickens, processed chickens and eggs to other countries of the world.
• Table eggs produced by battery chickens (white)
• Table eggs produced by battery chickens (brown)
• Hatching eggs
• Specialty eggs
• Table eggs produced by free-range chickens

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to become one of the leading commercial poultry farm and egg production brands not just in the United States of America but also on the global stage.
• Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a world class and registered commercial poultry farms and egg production company that is committed to raising chickens and producing eggs for both the United States’ market and the global market.
• We want our chickens and eggs to flood the nooks and crannies of the United States and other countries of the world.

Our Business Structure

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a privately owned and managed commercial poultry farms and egg production business that intend starting small in Santa Fe – New Mexico, but hope to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading commercial poultry farms and egg production companies in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hire the best hands within our area of operations.

At Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, and creative, result driven, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stakeholders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Operating Officer

General Farm Manager

Human Resources and Admin Manager

• Accountant / Cashier
• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Field Employees
• Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities across the various sections on behalf of the organization
• Supervises other section manager
• Ensures compliance during project executions
• Provides advice on the management of farming activities across all section
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Uses IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of the growth of chickens and other birds
• Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of poultry farm produce
• Represent the organization’s interest at various stakeholders meetings
• Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient resources (manpower, equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied. Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office.

Accountant / Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC
• Serves as internal auditor for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Creates new markets cum businesses for the organization
• Empowers and motivates the sales team to meet and surpass agreed targets

Field Workers / Contract Staff

• Responsible for daily collection of eggs
• Responsible for feeding chickens and other birds as instructed by the supervisor
• Responsible for cleaning poultry and the entire environment
• Changes the water for the birds as instructed by the supervisor on a regular basis
• Handles poultry farm implements and machines (hatchery) as instructed by the section manager / supervisor
• Assists in handling the chicken and other birds et al
• Carries out task in line with the stated job description
• Assists in transport working tools and equipment from the poultry farm and back to the designated store room
• Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

Front Desk / Customer’s Service Officer

• Welcomes clients and potential clients by greeting them in person, online or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the creative director in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries

6. SWOT Analysis

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC do not intend to launch out with trial and error hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis.

We know that if we get it right from the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a standard commercial poultry farm and egg production company that will favorably compete with leading commercial poultry farms and egg production companies like Cal – Maine, Land O’Lake, Inc., Michael Foods and Rose Acres Farms in the United States of America and in the rest part of the world.

We engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist our organization in building a well – structured commercial poultry farm and egg Production Company that can favorably compete in the highly competitive commercial poultry farms and egg production industry in the United States and the world at large.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC;

Our strength as a commercial poultry farm and egg production company is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players ( agriculture merchants ) in the industry; both suppliers of poultry feeds and medications and buyers of chickens and eggs within and outside of the United States of America.

We have some of the latest commercial poultry farming hatchery, tools and equipment that will help us raise and produce eggs in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside from our relationship ( network ) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in Santa Fe – New Mexico in our payroll.

Our weakness could be that we are a new commercial poultry farms and egg production company in the United States, and perhaps it might take us sometime to attract big time customers in the industry. We are aware of this and from our projection will overcome this weakness with time and turn it to a major advantage for the business.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities that are available to us as a standard commercial poultry farm and egg Production Company cannot be quantified, we know that there are loads of households, and businesses such as hotels and fast food restaurants that can’t do without daily supply of chicken and eggs. We are well positioned to take advantage of this opportunity

Some of the threats and challenges that we are likely going to face when we start our own commercial poultry farm and egg production company are global economic downturn that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), unfavorable government policies and the arrival of a competitor ( a commercial farm that engage in the rearing of chickens and other birds ) within same location.

There is hardly anything you can do as regards this threats and challenges other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for your good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The Poultry and Chicken Egg Production industry has greatly benefited from campaigns advertising the health benefits of chickens and eggs as a good source of protein.

No doubt, the increased demand of chicken and eggs from households and food related businesses and of course the growing popularity of specialty and processed eggs have rapidly improved revenue growth for the industry. In the face of this growth, profit margin has suffered from rising feed costs and also regulations regarding animal welfare.

As a matter of fact, one of the new trends is that with the recent advancement in technology, poultry farmers can now comfortably predict and produce the quantities of chickens / birds and eggs per time.

8. Our Target Market

Naturally, the target market of those who are the end consumer of commercial poultry farm produce and also those who benefits from the business value chain of the poultry farming and egg production industry is all encompassing; it is far – reaching.

Every household consumes produce from commercial poultry farms be it chicken or egg. So also almost all hotels and fast restaurants sell chicken and eggs. In essence a commercial poultry farmer should be able to sell his or her chicken and eggs to as many people as possible.

In view of that, we have positioned our business to attract consumers of chickens and eggs not just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world. We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that we meet and surpass the expectations we set for the business. Below is a list of the people and business that we will market our chickens and eggs to;

• Individuals
• Restaurants
• Fast food eateries
• Agriculture merchants

Our Competitive Advantage

It is easier to find entrepreneur flocking towards an industry that is known to generate consistent income which is why there are more commercial poultry farmers in the United States of America and of course in most parts of the world.

For example, Statistics has it that there are 2.2 million farms in the United States of America, covering an area of 922 million acres. These goes to show that there are appreciable numbers of farmers in the United States of America but that does not mean that there is stiffer competition in the industry.

As a matter of fact, entrepreneurs are encouraged by the government to embrace commercial farming cum poultry farming and egg production business. This is so because part of the success of any nation is her ability to cultivate her own food and also export food to other nations of the world.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is fully aware that there are competitions when it comes to selling commercial farm produce all over the globe, which is why we decided to carry out thorough market research so as to know how to take advantage of the available market in the United States and in other parts of the world.

We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace; some of the factors are effective and reliable poultry farming and egg production processes that can help us sell our produce at competitive prices, good network and excellent relationship management.

Another competitive advantage that we are bringing to the industry is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players (agriculture merchants) in the industry; both suppliers of poultry feeds and medications and buyers of chickens and eggs within and outside of the United States of America.

We have some of the latest commercial poultry farming hatchery, tools and equipment that will help us raise and produce eggs in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside from our relationship (network) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in Santa Fe – New Mexico in our payroll.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups commercial poultry farms and egg production companies in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is in the poultry farms and egg production line of business for the purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available opportunities within the industry to achieve our corporate goals and objectives. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC;

10. Sales Forecast

From the survey conducted, we were are able to discover that the sales generated by a commercial poultry farm and egg production business depends on the size of the poultry farm, the types of birds available in the poultry and of course the size of their marketing network.

We have been able to critically examine the poultry farms and egg production business and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast.

The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some workable assumptions as well with respect to the nature of commercial poultry farm and egg production business that we run. Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of running Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC;

• First Fiscal Year-: $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $600,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $ 900,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), and unfavorable government policies.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are quite aware that the reason why some commercial poultry farms and egg production companies hardly make good profits is their inability to sell off their chickens and eggs as at when due.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the poultry farming and egg production industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall business goal of Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC.

Over and above, we have perfected our sale and marketing strategies first by networking with agriculture merchants and businesses that rely on daily supply of chicken and eggs from the poultry farms and egg production industry that are likely to become our customers.

In summary, Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC will adopt the following strategies in marketing our commercial farm produce;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to stake holders in the agriculture industry, households, hotels and restaurants and agriculture produce merchants et al.
• Advertise our business in agriculture and food related magazines and websites
• List our commercial poultry farms and egg production business on yellow pages ads
• Attend related agriculture and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are operating from must be ready and willing to utilize every available means (both conventional and non – conventional means) to advertise and promote the business.

We intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means. We know that it is important to create strategies that will help us boost our brand awareness and to create a corporate identity for our commercial poultry farm and egg production business.

Below are the platforms we will leverage on to boost our commercial poultry farm and production brand and to promote and advertise our business;

• Place adverts on community based newspapers, radio stations and TV stations.
• Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Badoo, Google+  and other platforms to promote our business.
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Santa Fe – New Mexico
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
• Contact corporate organizations, households, landlord associations and schools by calling them up and informing them of Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC and the poultry produce we sell
• Advertise our business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
• Brand all our official cars and trucks and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wears our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Some of the factors that will help you sell your farm produce at the right price that will guarantee that you make profits is dependent on your strategy while some of the factors are beyond your control. For example, if the climatic condition is unfavorable and if there is natural disaster in the location where you have your commercial poultry farm, then it will directly affect the prices of your chicken and eggs.

Over and above, if you want to get the right pricing for your chicken and eggs, then you should ensure that you choose a good location for commercial poultry farm, choose a good breed that will guarantee bountiful harvest, cut the cost of running your poultry farm to the barest minimum.

Of course you should try as much as possible to attract buyers to your poultry farm as against taking your eggs and chickens to the market to source for buyers; with this, you would have successfully eliminate the cost of transporting the goods to the market and other logistics.

We are quite aware that one of the easiest means of penetrating the market and acquiring loads of customers for all our eggs and chickens is to sell them at competitive prices hence we will do all we can to ensure that the prices of our poultry farm produces are going to be what other commercial poultry farmers would look towards beating.

One thing is certain; the nature of commercial poultry farming makes it possible for poultry farmers to place prices for their eggs and chicken based on their discretion without following the benchmark in the industry. The truth is that it is one of the means of avoiding running into loss.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for chickens and eggs.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to calculating the cost of starting a commercial poultry farm, there are some key factors that should serve as a guide. The different type of birds to be raised in a commercial poultry farm determines the total cost of setting up the business.

Besides, in setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting / leasing a big facility, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a commercial poultry farm and egg production business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. Below are some of the basic areas we will spend our start – up capital in setting up our commercial poultry farm;

• The Total Fee for incorporating the Business (commercial farm) in United States of America – $750.
• The amount needed to acquire / lease a farm land  – $50,000
• The amount required for preparing the farm land (poultry fencing et al) – $30,000
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $3,300.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Bill The Carpenter™ Furniture, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
• The total cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,500.
• The total cost for payment of insurance policy covers (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $9,400
• The amount required for the purchase of the first set of chickens – $10,000
• The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment / machines / hatchery et al– $50,000
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
• The Cost of Launching an official Website – $600
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000

Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need an average of $500,000 to start a standard commercial poultry farm and egg production business in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC

No matter how fantastic your business idea might be, if you don’t have the required money to finance the business, the business might not become a reality. Finance is a very important factor when it comes to starting a business such as commercial poultry farming.

No doubt raising start – up capital for a business might not come cheap, but it is a task that an entrepreneur must go through.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is a family business that is solely owned and financed by Noble Ernest and his immediate family members. We do not intend to welcome any external business partner, which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources. These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $150,000 (Personal savings $100,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $350,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to retail our chickens and eggs a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Noble Ernest Poultry Farms, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of six years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of farm land and building of standard poultry (cages): In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In Progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Compilation of our list of products that will be available in our store: Completed
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – key players in the industry: In Progress

Related Posts:

• Free Range Chicken Farm Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Broiler Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Layer Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Goat Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Snail Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

Poultry farm business plan template + PDF

This guide presents an innovative AI Business Plan Generator template, crafted specifically for entrepreneurs eager to start or scale their poultry farm business. It's important to emphasize that the names and financial projections provided in this example are entirely hypothetical, used solely as instructional aids to smooth the path of your business planning process. These instances are carefully chosen to illustrate how you can customize your own AI-generated Poultry Farm Business Plan, empowering you to overcome challenges and seize opportunities within the poultry farming industry.

For tailored customization, we offer a downloadable 'Poultry Farm Business Plan PDF.' This document is crucial for entrepreneurs committed to developing a persuasive and effective strategy to initiate or grow their poultry farm service. The 'AI Business Plan Generator' acts as a detailed guide, offering deep insights into the poultry farming market. It equips you with the vital tools to adeptly oversee and expand your poultry farm business, utilizing AI for unmatched strategic planning.

How this poultry farm business plan sample was created

Seamlessly customize your personalized poultry farm business plan with our AI Business Plan Generator. Simply click 'Generate your business plan' and proceed through a sequence of focused questions about your poultry farm venture. Our sophisticated AI technology will evaluate your responses to develop a business plan that precisely matches the objectives and needs of your poultry farm business. This quick and efficient approach only requires 5-10 minutes, yielding a detailed and well-organized plan. Our platform enables you to adjust and fine-tune your plan, ensuring it accurately mirrors your distinctive vision for your poultry farm service. Once complete, your plan is ready for download, offering a clear and thorough guide for launching and developing your poultry farm business. Utilize the power of our AI business plan generator, tailor-made for poultry farm businesses, to boost your strategic planning.

Generate your custom poultry farm business plan in minutes!

Poultry farm business plan sample, executive summary, business description, market research and analysis, swot analysis.

• Organizational Structure and Management Team

Products or Services

Marketing and sales strategy, operations plan, financial projections, risk analysis.

Feathered Friends Poultry Farm, nestled in the fertile lands of Springfield, Illinois, presents an innovative and sustainable approach to poultry farming that prioritizes ethical practices, quality produce, and environmental stewardship. Founded by Janet Wilson, an expert with over 15 years of experience in Poultry Science, Feathered Friends has quickly established itself as a beacon of excellence in the agricultural sector. With a dedicated team that includes Operations Manager Tom Hargrave, Chief Veterinarian Dr. Rachel Kim, Marketing Director Lisa Chang, and HR Manager Michael Robbins, the farm is positioned for unprecedented growth and success.

Our farm specializes in a variety of poultry products and services designed to meet the rising demand for healthy, ethically produced food. The range includes fresh cage-free and organic eggs, broiler chickens, specialty birds such as ducks and quails, organic and conventional chicken feed, and live chickens for those interested in backyard poultry farming. This diversification not only allows us to cater to a broad segment of the market but also mitigates risks associated with demand fluctuations in the agricultural industry.

In the heart of our operations lies a commitment to sustainable and humane farming practices. Our production processes are meticulously managed to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental sustainability. This commitment is reflected in our extensive biosecurity measures, rigorous health checks, and our sustainable waste management practices. Our operational efficiency is enhanced by our strategic distribution channels, encompassing direct sales, B2B relationships, and an expanding online presence, ensuring our premium products reach a wide audience.

Feathered Friends Poultry Farm operates within a growing industry, buoyed by consumer preferences shifting towards healthier and ethically produced food options. With a keen focus on the local and regional markets, including households, eateries, and small-scale grocery stores, we have identified significant growth opportunities. Additionally, our diverse product range and adherence to ethical farming practices provide us with a competitive edge in a market increasingly dominated by concerns about food origin and production methods.

The financial trajectory of Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is promising, with projected revenues set to climb from $500,000 in the first year to $1,100,000 by year five. Our strong revenue forecasts are underpinned by an expanding market presence and operational efficiencies that drive down costs and improve profit margins. Our net profit is expected to grow from $50,000 in the first year to $250,000 by year five, reflecting our strategic investments in infrastructure, marketing, and product development.

However, we are not without our challenges. Potential risks include disease outbreaks, regulatory changes, and market competitions. To mitigate these, we’ve established comprehensive contingency plans, including stringent biosecurity protocols, diversified supplier relationships, and aggressive marketing strategies. Our insurance and legal considerations are designed to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances, ensuring we maintain our growth trajectory.

In conclusion, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm stands at the cusp of significant expansion. Our dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability positions us as a leader in the industry. As we seek investment to fuel our growth, we invite partners to join us on this journey towards making a tangible impact on food production ethics, environmental sustainability, and community nutrition. At Feathered Friends Poultry Farm, we believe in nurturing the land that feeds us, respecting the creatures in our care, and providing our customers with the highest quality poultry products on the market.

Situated in the heart of Springfield, Illinois, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm stands as a testament to the resilience and innovation within the agricultural sector, specifically the booming poultry industry. As a purveyor of high-quality poultry products, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm has carved out a niche for itself in a market that is increasingly demanding ethically raised, healthy food options. The poultry farm industry, a critical component of the global food supply chain, has witnessed substantial growth, driven by a surge in consumer demand for poultry products due to their health benefits, affordability, and versatility in culinary applications. Feathered Friends Poultry Farm, through its commitment to sustainable farming practices and ethical treatment of animals, is at the forefront of this industry, providing an array of products and services to meet the diverse needs of its clientele.

The history of Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is a story of passion, dedication, and a deep-seated belief in the value of fresh, locally sourced food. Founded five years ago by Janet Wilson, a graduate with a B.Sc. in Poultry Science and 15 years of industry experience, the farm was born out of a desire to offer an alternative to the mass-produced poultry products that dominate the market. From its inception, the farm's purpose has been twofold: to supply the local community with fresh, high-quality poultry products, and to educate consumers on the importance of supporting ethical and sustainable farming practices. This dual focus has driven the company's operations, shaping its approach to everything from animal husbandry to customer service.

The mission statement of Feathered Friends Poultry Farm encapsulates its ethos: "To nourish and enrich lives by providing the highest quality, ethically raised poultry products, fostering a connection between the community and the source of their food." This mission guides every decision made at the farm, ensuring that operations align with the core values of transparency, sustainability, and excellence.

Legally structured as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Feathered Friends Poultry Farm benefits from the flexibility and protection this form affords. The LLC structure not only shields the owner's personal assets from the farm’s liabilities but also offers tax efficiencies and operational flexibility, critical factors in the volatile world of agricultural business.

Looking to the future, the long-term potential of Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is bright. The global trend towards healthy eating, coupled with a growing awareness of the environmental and ethical implications of food production, is creating vast opportunities for businesses like Feathered Friends Poultry Farm. As consumers increasingly seek out products that align with their values, the demand for ethically produced, high-quality poultry products is expected to grow exponentially.

In meeting this demand, the farm is poised for expansion, with plans to increase its product range, enter new markets, and continue its advocacy for sustainable agriculture. By staying true to its mission and leveraging emerging trends in the industry, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is on track to not only succeed financially but also make a significant impact on the food system. Through its commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community engagement, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm exemplifies the potential of small businesses to lead the way in creating a more ethical and sustainable future for food production.

The poultry industry represents a vibrant and essential sector of the global food market, characterized by its dynamic trends, substantial size, and robust growth rate. With a keen focus on sustainability and health, the industry is currently experiencing a paradigm shift towards organic and ethically produced poultry products. Market research indicates that the global poultry market is anticipated to grow steadily, propelled by increasing consumer awareness about the health benefits of poultry meat and eggs, as well as a surging demand for protein-rich diets. This sector's resilience and adaptability are evident in its swift response to consumer preferences and global supply chain challenges, ensuring its continued expansion and relevance.

Feathered Friends Poultry Farm’s target market is multifaceted, encompassing local households in search of fresh, high-quality poultry products, regional eateries and restaurants that prioritize farm-to-table offerings, and small-scale grocery stores aiming to cater to health-conscious consumers. This target group is characterized by a demographic that values sustainability, ethics in food production, and quality over price. The size of this target market is substantial and is on an upward trajectory, given the increasing population in Springfield, Illinois, and the surrounding areas. The growth potential within this market segment is significant, fueled by a growing trend in consumer behavior that leans towards supporting local businesses and a preference for products that are perceived as healthier and more natural.

Market needs and demands are evolving, with a clear preference for poultry products that are not only fresh and of high quality but also produced in a way that aligns with ethical and environmental standards. Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency in the production process, animal welfare considerations, and minimal use of antibiotics and hormones. This shift in consumer preferences reflects broader market trends and patterns, including a surge in demand for organic and cage-free options, the popularity of specialty birds such as ducks and quails, and an expanded interest in backyard farming.

Competition within the poultry industry is intense but varies significantly in scale and scope. Feathered Friends Poultry Farm's primary competitors include Cluckin' Fresh Farms, Happy Hens Hatchery, and Barnyard Birds Ltd. Cluckin' Fresh Farms is known for its extensive marketing efforts and broad product range, although it has faced criticism for its animal welfare standards. Happy Hens Hatchery specializes in egg production, with a strong reputation for quality but lacks diversity in its product offerings. Barnyard Birds Ltd. offers a wide array of poultry products but struggles with consistency in product quality. These competitors hold a considerable market share within the regional market; however, their distinct weaknesses present opportunities for Feathered Friends Poultry Farm to capitalize on, particularly in areas of product quality, ethical production practices, and customer engagement.

Potential barriers to entry in the poultry farming industry include the high initial capital investment required for land, infrastructure, and equipment. Additionally, stringent regulations and health safety standards pose significant challenges, necessitating substantial knowledge and adherence to legal requirements. Moreover, establishing a strong supply chain and distribution network is critical for success but can be daunting for newcomers. These barriers, along with the competitive landscape, necessitate a strategic approach to entry and expansion, underscoring the importance of a solid business plan and a clear understanding of the market dynamics.

In conclusion, market research and analysis reveal a promising outlook for Feathered Friends Poultry Farm, given the industry's growth trajectory, the specific needs and trends of the target market, and the competitive landscape. By strategically positioning itself to meet the evolving demands of health-conscious consumers and leveraging its strengths against competitor weaknesses, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is well-placed to capitalize on the opportunities presented within the burgeoning poultry industry.

Organizational Structure and Management

Feathered Friends Poultry Farm, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) located in Springfield, Illinois, operates with a well-defined organizational structure designed to maximize efficiency and support its strategic objectives. The organizational chart is hierarchical, with the Owner & Director at the top, followed by departmental heads overseeing Operations, Veterinary Care, Marketing, and Human Resources. Each department plays a crucial role in the farm's overall success, working collaboratively while focusing on their specific functions.

The management team is the backbone of Feathered Friends Poultry Farm, consisting of highly skilled professionals committed to the company's mission. Janet Wilson, the Owner & Director, holds a B.Sc. in Poultry Science and brings over 15 years of industry experience. Her leadership and vision steer the farm towards its goals of providing high-quality, ethically produced poultry products. Tom Hargrave, the Operations Manager, with a Diploma in Agricultural Management and 10 years of poultry farm management experience, is responsible for the day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency and productivity. Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Rachel Kim, a DVM specialized in Avian Medicine, with 8 years in veterinary practice, oversees animal health and welfare, a critical aspect given the farm's commitment to ethical practices. Lisa Chang, the Marketing Director, with an M.A. in Marketing and 5 years in agri-business marketing, develops and implements strategies to promote the farm and its products. Lastly, Michael Robbins, the HR Manager, with a B.A. in Human Resources and 7 years in the agricultural sector, is tasked with managing the farm’s workforce, including recruitment, training, and ensuring workplace safety.

Staffing needs are anticipated to grow as the farm expands its operations and product range. Currently, the farm employs several poultry handlers, maintenance personnel, and office staff. Future staffing requirements include additional poultry handlers to manage increased production, a sales team to grow market presence, and potentially, an in-house nutritionist to innovate feed formulations. This expansion will necessitate structured recruitment processes, comprehensive training programs, and strategies for staff retention, acknowledging the critical role of an engaged and skilled workforce in achieving the farm's objectives.

Human resources policies and practices at Feathered Friends Poultry Farm are designed to create a productive, safe, and inclusive work environment. These include rigorous health and safety protocols, performance-based rewards, and continuous professional development opportunities. The farm commits to fair labor practices, providing competitive wages and benefits, and fosters a culture of respect, teamwork, and transparency.

External advisors and consultants play an integral role in Feathered Friends Poultry Farm’s strategic planning and operational efficiency. The farm engages a veterinary consultant specializing in poultry diseases to complement Dr. Kim’s expertise, ensuring the highest standard of animal health and biosecurity measures. A financial advisor assists with budgeting, financial planning, and identifying investment opportunities, crucial for the farm's sustainability and growth. Additionally, agricultural extension services are utilized for insights into latest farming technologies and practices, which can further improve productivity and environmental sustainability.

In conclusion, the organizational structure and management of Feathered Friends Poultry Farm are crafted to ensure a cohesive and efficient operation that upholds the highest standards of quality and ethics in poultry farming. As the farm grows, its structure, team, and policies will evolve to meet new challenges and opportunities, with a continuous focus on excellence, sustainability, and community engagement.

Feathered Friends Poultry Farm offers a diverse range of poultry products and services designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality, ethically produced food. Our product line includes:

1. Fresh Eggs: We provide both cage-free and organic options to cater to the health-conscious consumer. Our eggs are collected daily, ensuring the freshest product possible. 2. Broiler Chickens: Available as whole birds, individual parts, or prepared cuts, our broiler chickens are raised without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones, guaranteeing a natural and wholesome product. 3. Specialty Birds: Duck and quail offerings diversify our product range, catering to customers looking for alternative poultry options. 4. Chicken Feed: We offer both organic and conventional feed blends, catering to the needs of backyard farmers and commercial poultry operations alike. 5. Live Chickens: For those interested in backyard farming or poultry shows, we sell layers, broilers, and show breeds, all bred for health and vitality.

Our unique selling points and competitive advantages include our commitment to sustainable and ethical farming practices. Unlike many competitors, our products are produced with a focus on animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and support for local economies. We guarantee freshness and quality by controlling every step of the production process, from feed to final product. Our transparency and commitment to these principles have earned us a loyal customer base that values not just the quality of the product but the ethos behind it.

Currently, our products are well-established in the market, with a consistent demand from local households, regional eateries, and small-scale grocery stores. Looking to the future, we plan to expand our product range to include more specialty birds and possibly enter into the organic meat market. We also aim to enhance our offerings with value-added products, such as marinated or pre-cooked poultry, to meet the demands of busy consumers looking for convenience without compromising quality.

In terms of intellectual property status, our brand name "Feathered Friends Poultry Farm" and logo are trademarked, providing brand protection and recognition in the marketplace. While our farming practices and product offerings are not patented, we continually seek innovative techniques and products that could qualify for intellectual property protection to maintain a competitive edge.

The production process at Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is meticulously managed to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety. From breeding to hatching, feeding, and processing, each step is carefully monitored. Our feed is sourced from trusted suppliers, with organic options coming from certified organic grain producers, guaranteeing our chickens' optimal health and growth. We maintain a close relationship with our suppliers, ensuring that all inputs meet our stringent quality and ethical standards.

In conclusion, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm stands out in the poultry market through our commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices. Our diverse product range caters to a broad audience, from health-conscious consumers to culinary enthusiasts and backyard farmers. As we look to the future, we are focused on expanding our product offerings, exploring intellectual property opportunities, and refining our production processes to maintain our competitive edge. Our dedication to excellence and sustainability positions us for continued growth and success in the dynamic poultry industry.

Feathered Friends Poultry Farm's marketing and sales strategy is designed to solidify our presence in the local and regional markets, appeal to our target demographics, and expand our customer base. Our approach combines traditional and digital marketing techniques, a comprehensive sales strategy, competitive pricing, strategic distribution, targeted promotion and advertising, and exemplary customer service policies.

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy focuses on highlighting the unique selling points of Feathered Friends Poultry Farm, specifically our commitment to high-quality, ethically produced poultry products. We plan to utilize a combination of digital marketing, community engagement, and collaborations with local businesses to reach our target market effectively.

- Digital Marketing: Leveraging social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to share engaging content that tells the story of our farm, our practices, and the quality of our products. SEO-optimized content marketing through blogs and newsletters will further drive online visibility. - Community Engagement: Participating in local farmers' markets, agricultural shows, and community events to build brand awareness and direct relationships with consumers. - Business Collaborations: Partnering with local restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores to feature our products, creating mutually beneficial relationships that introduce our offerings to new customer segments.

Sales Strategy

Our sales strategy is centered on building and maintaining strong relationships with both direct consumers and business clients.

- Direct Sales: At farmers' markets and through our farm shop, highlighting the freshness and quality of our products in person. We'll employ a knowledgeable sales team who can educate customers about the benefits of our farming practices. - B2B Sales: Developing a dedicated B2B sales team focused on establishing and nurturing relationships with local eateries, restaurants, and retailers. This team will also manage orders, deliveries, and ongoing client support. - Online Sales: Implementing e-commerce capabilities on our website for both local pickup and delivery, making it easier for customers to purchase our products directly.

Pricing Strategy

Our pricing strategy is designed to reflect the premium quality of our products while remaining competitive within the market. We will employ a cost-plus pricing model, ensuring that all costs are covered and a reasonable profit margin is achieved. Seasonal promotions and loyalty discounts for regular customers will be introduced to encourage repeat business and enhance customer loyalty.

Distribution Channels

Distribution channels include direct sales at our farm shop and local farmers' markets, B2B sales to local restaurants and retailers, and online sales through our website. We will also explore partnerships with local delivery services to expand our reach within the region.

Promotion and Advertising Plans

Promotion and advertising efforts will focus on digital marketing campaigns, local print and radio adverts, and sponsorship of community events. Seasonal promotions around holidays and special events will be leveraged to boost sales. Collaborative promotions with local businesses and eateries will help expand our reach. Influencer marketing with local food bloggers and chefs will also be pursued to increase brand visibility and credibility.

Customer Service Policies

Customer satisfaction is paramount at Feathered Friends Poultry Farm. We will implement clear policies ensuring prompt and friendly customer service, easy product returns, and responsive feedback mechanisms. Dedicated customer service personnel will be trained to resolve issues efficiently, ensuring customer experiences that foster loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

In conclusion, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm's marketing and sales strategy is comprehensive, focusing on building a strong brand presence, establishing meaningful customer relationships, and driving sales through multiple channels. Our commitment to quality, ethics, and customer satisfaction will guide all marketing and sales efforts, positioning us for long-term success in the market.

The Operations Plan for Feathered Friends Poultry Farm outlines the comprehensive workflow and processes designed to ensure efficient daily operations, high-quality production, and effective supply chain management. Our operational strategy is rooted in sustainability, efficiency, and the ethical treatment of our poultry, which are hallmark principles of our farm.

Operational Workflow

Daily operations at Feathered Friends Poultry Farm are divided into several key areas: breeding and hatching, feeding, health care, egg collection, processing, packaging, and sales. The day begins with a thorough inspection of all birds and facilities to ensure health and safety standards are met. This is followed by feeding, egg collection, and routine health checks which are conducted by our skilled farmhands under the supervision of the Operations Manager and Chief Veterinarian. Specific tasks are allocated to team members based on expertise, ensuring the highest level of care and efficiency.

Production or Service Delivery Processes

Our primary services involve the production and sale of fresh eggs, broiler chickens, specialty birds, and chicken feed. Each aspect of production, from breeding to sale, follows a meticulously planned process:

- Breeding and Hatching: Utilizes selective breeding techniques to ensure healthy, productive stock. Eggs are incubated under optimal conditions to maximize hatch rates. - Feeding: Implements a nutritionally balanced regimen carefully formulated for different poultry stages, using organic and conventional feed blends sourced from trusted suppliers. - Health Care: Involves regular veterinary checks, vaccinations, and immediate intervention for any health issues. Biosecurity measures are strictly enforced to prevent disease outbreaks. - Processing and Packaging: For broiler chickens and specialty birds, humane processing is followed by hygienic packaging meeting all regulatory standards for food safety. Eggs are cleaned, graded, and packaged on-site.

Quality Control Measures

Quality control is integral to all farm operations. We conduct regular audits of our practices against industry standards and our ethical policies. All poultry products are subject to stringent quality checks before sale, ensuring they meet health, safety, and quality benchmarks. Feedback loops involving customers and suppliers also contribute to continuous quality improvement.

Inventory Management

Efficient inventory management is crucial to balance supply with demand while minimizing waste. We employ inventory tracking systems for feed, medicines, and packaging materials, ensuring timely reordering to prevent stock-outs. For perishable products like eggs and processed poultry, careful demand forecasting allows us to manage inventory levels effectively, reducing waste.

Supply Chain Management

Our supply chain strategy emphasizes relationships with local suppliers to shorten supply chains, reducing environmental impact and ensuring freshness. We prioritize suppliers who share our values of sustainability and ethical practices, regularly reviewing their performance. For sales, we leverage direct-to-consumer channels, B2B relationships, and online sales, optimizing routes and schedules to maximize efficiency and minimize carbon footprint.

Facilities and Equipment Needs

Feathered Friends Poultry Farm operates from a rural property in Springfield, Illinois, housing breeding facilities, hatcheries, coops, processing units, and storage facilities. Key equipment includes incubators, feeders, waterers, egg collection systems, and processing machinery. Future needs include upgrades to increase automation in egg collection and packaging, improving efficiency and reducing labor costs. An investment in renewable energy solutions like solar panels is planned to reduce environmental impact and operational costs.

In conclusion, the operations plan for Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is designed to ensure smooth daily operations, high-quality production, and effective management of resources. Through meticulous planning, quality control, and sustainable practices, we are committed to delivering ethically produced, high-quality poultry products to our customers.

The Financial Projections section of the business plan for Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is formulated to provide a comprehensive overview of the farm's anticipated financial performance over the next three to five years. The projections include a sales forecast, profit and loss projection, cash flow analysis, balance sheet projection, break-even analysis, and the underlying financial assumptions and considerations that shape these forecasts.

Sales Forecast

Over the next five years, Feathered Friends Poultry Farm is projected to experience a steady increase in sales. This growth is anticipated based on the expansion of product lines, the scaling of production capabilities, and the strengthening of market presence.

- Year 1: $500,000 - Year 2: $600,000 - Year 3: $750,000 - Year 4: $900,000 - Year 5: $1,100,000

This forecast assumes an expanding customer base, successful marketing strategies, and stable market conditions.

Profit and Loss Projection

The Profit and Loss Projection highlights expected revenues, costs of goods sold (COGS), gross margins, operating expenses, and net profit.

- In Year 1, with revenues of $500,000 and COGS at 60% of sales ($300,000), we project a gross margin of 40%. Operating expenses, including salaries, marketing, and administrative costs, are estimated at $100,000, leading to a net profit of $50,000. - By Year 5, as efficiencies improve and the farm scales, we anticipate revenues of $1,100,000, COGS at 55% ($605,000), operating expenses stabilizing at $245,000, and a net profit margin improving significantly to $250,000.

Cash Flow Projection

The Cash Flow Projection outlines the net cash inflows and outflows, providing insight into the farm's liquidity and financial health. Initial capital investments, operational costs, and sales revenues are considered to project cash flow. In the first year, significant investments in facilities and equipment may result in tight cash flow, necessitating a credit line. However, as revenues grow and operational efficiencies are realized, positive cash flow is expected to improve, allowing for the repayment of any initial borrowing and supporting expansion plans.

Balance Sheet Projection

The Balance Sheet Projection for the first five years reflects the farm's assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity. We foresee a steady increase in assets, primarily driven by investments in operational infrastructure and potential land acquisitions. Liabilities, primarily composed of initial loans, are projected to decrease as earnings allow for the repayment of debt. Owner’s equity is expected to grow as reinvested profits increase the value of the farm.

Break-even Analysis

The Break-even Analysis identifies the point at which total revenues equal total costs, signaling where the operation becomes profitable. Given the initial investment in operations and conservative estimation of sales growth, we project to reach the break-even point towards the end of the second year. This analysis is critical for understanding timing for potential reinvestment and loan repayments.

Financial Assumptions and Considerations

- Market Conditions: We assume stable market conditions with moderate inflation. While we have contingency plans for disease outbreaks and supply chain disruptions, major market shifts could impact financial projections. - Operating Efficiencies: Projections are based on anticipated improvements in operating efficiencies as we scale, including reduced per-unit costs and increased margins. - Capital Investments: Assumes initial and ongoing investments in infrastructure are financed through a mix of owner’s equity and external financing. - Revenue Streams: Includes diversification of revenue through direct sales, B2B channels, and online markets to mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations.

In conclusion, the financial projections for Feathered Friends Poultry Farm suggest a robust growth trajectory, supported by strategic investments in infrastructure, market expansion, and operational efficiencies. These projections are based on careful consideration of current market trends, historical financial performance, and prudent financial assumptions. Our financial strategy is designed to ensure sustainability, profitability, and the realization of our long-term goals.

The Risk Analysis section of the business plan for Feathered Friends Poultry Farm comprehensively identifies the potential risks that could impact the operations, finances, and overall success of the farm. This section outlines proactive strategies for risk mitigation, contingency plans for unexpected events, and considerations regarding insurance and legal protections.

Identification of Potential Risks

Market Risks: - Consumer Demand Fluctuations: Changes in consumer preferences or economic downturns could lead to decreased demand for poultry products. - Competition: New or existing competitors could impact market share, especially those offering lower prices or alternative products. - Regulatory Changes: New regulations or changes in agricultural, environmental, or food safety policies could impose additional operational burdens.

Operational Risks: - Disease Outbreaks: Avian influenza or other poultry diseases could significantly disrupt operations. - Supply Chain Disruptions: Issues with feed or equipment suppliers could impact production. - Environmental Risks: Extreme weather conditions, such as droughts or floods, could damage infrastructure or disrupt operations.

Financial Risks: - Price Volatility: Fluctuations in the prices of feed or other key inputs could affect profitability. - Interest Rate Rises: Increases in interest rates could impact the cost of existing or future debt. - Cash Flow Challenges: Significant upfront capital expenditures or unexpected costs could strain cash flow.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

Market Mitigation: - Diverse Product Range: Offering a variety of poultry products can cater to a broader consumer base and adapt to changing tastes. - Marketing and Branding: Strengthening brand recognition and customer loyalty through effective marketing can solidify market position. - Regulatory Compliance: Staying informed of and compliant with all regulations can prevent legal issues and fines.

Operational Mitigation: - Biosecurity Measures: Implementing and strictly adhering to biosecurity practices can prevent disease outbreaks. - Diversified Suppliers: Establishing relationships with multiple suppliers for key inputs can mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions. - Infrastructure Investments: Investing in weather-resistant infrastructure and emergency preparedness can reduce the impact of environmental risks.

Financial Mitigation: - Cost Control: Regular review of expenses and cost-effective strategies can maintain financial health. - Debt Management: Careful management of debt levels and terms can mitigate the impact of interest rate changes. - Emergency Fund: Maintaining a reserve fund can provide liquidity to address unexpected financial challenges.

Contingency Plans

- Disease Outbreak: In the event of a disease outbreak, an immediate action plan includes quarantine measures, veterinary intervention, and notification to relevant authorities. - Supply Chain Disruption: Contingency contracts with alternative suppliers and maintaining a stockpile of critical inputs can address temporary supply issues. - Financial Shortfalls: Accessing lines of credit or re-evaluating capital expenditures can provide financial flexibility in times of cash flow challenges.

Insurance and Legal Considerations

- Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive insurance policies, including liability, property, and business interruption insurance, can provide financial protection against various risks. - Legal Protections: Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) and directors and officers (D&O) insurance can protect the farm and its management against legal claims. - Regulatory Compliance: Regularly consulting with legal experts familiar with agricultural law can ensure ongoing compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

In summary, while Feathered Friends Poultry Farm faces a range of potential risks, thorough preparation and proactive strategies are in place to mitigate these challenges effectively. By anticipating possible scenarios, establishing robust mitigation measures, and ensuring comprehensive insurance and legal protections, the farm is well-positioned to navigate uncertainties and maintain a trajectory towards growth and success.

More business plan templates

Goat farm business plan

Pharmacy business plan

Indoor golf business plan

Poultry Farming Business Plan

Starting a poultry business in Louisville, Kentucky , presents a lucrative opportunity for those looking to venture into the world of chicken farming business. With the right management, a poultry farming business can be highly profitable, making it one of the most rewarding endeavors in the agricultural industry.

In today’s scenario, the demand for poultry products is consistently growing, indicating the vast potential for success in the chicken farming business. This article aims to guide beginners on how to start chicken farming, from its initial stages as a small farm to the strategies involved in scaling it into a thriving and profitable enterprise.

Whether you’re considering a poultry business plan , interested in the nuances of poultry farming, or seeking guidance for a beginner poultry farming business plan, this article will provide valuable insights into the processes, challenges, and opportunities associated with poultry farming in Kentucky. Discover how to transform a small poultry farm into a successful venture, capitalizing on the thriving market for poultry products.

What is Poultry Farming

Poultry farming is about raising birds like chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys for their meat and eggs. It can be small or big – there’s a lot you can do.

Starting a chicken farm, whether it’s a small one or a larger operation, is what we call poultry farming. It’s all about growing birds for their meat, eggs, and sometimes feathers. Chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks are the main focus in this kind of farming. People also sometimes raise other birds like guinea fowl and squabs, but not as often.

So, if you have chicken business ideas and want to start a chicken farm, there are many possibilities. You can go for a small poultry farm design or think big – it’s up to you. Poultry farming offers different options for people who dream of having their own chicken farm business, no matter the size.

How to Start a Poultry Farming Business

If you are interested in being a poultry farm owner, our team of business plan writers in Louisville has crafted a sample business plan for poultry farming below to serve as your guide on how to start poultry farming. It is designed to assist you in making informed decisions and gaining insights into the details of poultry production, a crucial aspect of the animal industry in agriculture. This chicken farming business plan provides a starting point for your journey in planning and navigating the complexities of poultry farming.

Executive Summary

“Feather Grove Farm” (herein also referred to as “Feather Grove” or “the company”) was established on May 1, 2019 by Co-Founders, Mr. John Farmer and Ms. Emily Young. The company is strategically located to initiate a dynamic poultry farming venture in Louisville, KY.

In 2018, the United States imported and exported substantial amounts of poultry products, creating a notable gap in the market for locally produced, sustainable poultry. Feather Grove Farm aims to address this gap by establishing itself as a leading supplier of high-quality poultry products, reducing the reliance on foreign imports, and contributing to the growth of the domestic poultry industry.

Both Co-Founders bring unique skills to the venture. Mr. John Farmer, with a background in agricultural management, has successfully overseen various farming projects. On the other hand, Ms. Emily Young, with a wealth of experience in marketing and sales, will assume the role of Sales and Marketing Manager.

Feather Grove Farm is actively exploring opportunities in Kentucky for acquiring suitable agricultural land. The company is open to collaborations with local communities, government bodies, and fellow agriculture enterprises. This business plan outlines the strategic vision for Feather Grove over the first 5 years of operation, emphasizing positive contributions to the local community and economy.

Operationally, the business will encompass two core activities: (1) the breeding and sale of various poultry breeds and (2) the establishment of an educational farm experience, projected to launch in year 5. The breeding strategy involves constructing three state-of-the-art poultry houses, maximizing production capabilities and ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality poultry throughout the year. The educational farm experience, while contributing to community engagement and awareness, is seen as an integral part of Feather Grove’s broader impact strategy.

Currently, Feather Grove Farm is seeking a $1,340,000 loan to support the first year’s startup costs. The company projects breaking even within the first 18 months of operation and anticipates significant profits from the second year onwards. With support from stakeholders, Feather Grove aims to address the gap in locally produced poultry, create jobs, and establish a sustainable and profitable farming business that brings various benefits to the local community and the broader poultry industry.

Company Overview

Feather Grove Farm is not your typical farm – we’re all about poultry. We’re on a mission to set up a big poultry farm that will be a go-to place for chicken lovers. Our founders, Mr. John Farmer and Ms. Emily Young, each bring their own special skills to the table. John knows his way around farms, and Emily is a pro at selling and marketing.

Our mission is clear – we want to provide leading, locally raised poultry to our community and create a space where everyone can appreciate and enjoy chickens.

We dream of becoming the number one spot in town for amazing, high-quality poultry. And we want our farm to be a place that everyone talks about and can’t wait to visit.

Core Values

Here’s what we’re all about:

• Always Innovate: We love new ideas that make our farm better.
• Provide Unique Experiences: Your experience with our chickens matters the most.
• Build a Diverse Team: Teamwork makes everything run smoothly.
• Attention for Detail: Planning and paying attention to details are the keys to our success.
• Build a Better Community: We want to do good things. That means creating jobs, educating folks, and sharing lots of delicious poultry.

Goals and Objectives

Short-term Goals (Next 6-12 months)

• Get $1.5M USD to start everything up.
• Find the perfect piece of land for our farm.
• Build our first chicken coop and get our first batch of chicks.
• Hire a team to help us kick things off.

Medium-term Goals (Next 1-2 years)

• Start selling our poultry and break even by the 16th month.
• Make friends with local grocery stores, markets, and restaurants.
• Get our second chicken coop going and raise more chickens.

Long-term Goals (Next 2-5 years)

• Have three big chicken coops running smoothly.
• Open our farm to the public for everyone to enjoy.
• Welcome more than 47 awesome staff members to the Feather Grove family.

With everyone’s support, we believe we can turn this dream into a reality, bringing amazing poultry to the people and making our farm a special place for everyone.

Market Analysis

Feather Grove aims to navigate the challenges faced by the poultry industry, drawing inspiration from lessons learned in poultry farming.

Market Trends and Adaptations

• Local and Sustainable: Following the trend in poultry farming, there’s a rising demand for locally produced poultry. At Feather Grove, we prioritize sustainable and ethical farming practices, ensuring our community has access to fresh, locally sourced eggs.
• Digital Presence: Like the poultry farming sector’s shift to online platforms, Feather Grove embraces technology. We offer online ordering, home delivery, and even curbside pick-up to make it convenient for our customers.
• Technological Integration: Modern poultry farming involves smart monitoring systems. At Feather Grove, we leverage technology to monitor the well-being of our flock, ensuring they are healthy and happy.

Sales and Production

• Broiler Chicken Production: We specialize in the production of broiler chickens, ensuring they are raised in comfortable and well-maintained poultry houses. Our investment in optimal conditions reflects in the quality of our poultry.
• Egg Production: At Feather Grove, we concentrate on egg production. Our laying houses provide a conducive environment for hens, resulting in best-quality eggs.

Market Distribution

• Local Markets and Partnerships: Similar to the poultry farming sector, Feather Grove targets local and regional markets. We establish partnerships with local grocery stores, participate in farmers’ markets, and collaborate with restaurants to bring our products directly to consumers.
• Community-Centric Approach: Much like the emphasis on community impact in poultry farming, Feather Grove actively engages with the local community. We offer farm tours, educational programs, and explore opportunities to collaborate with local businesses.

Integration and Services

• Diversification of Income Streams: Taking a cue from the integrated approach in poultry farming, Feather Grove aims to diversify income streams. In addition to selling poultry products, we explore value-added services like processed chicken products, poultry manure for fertilizing, and educational programs.
• Holistic Farming Experience: Feather Grove aims to offer a holistic farming experience. Our farm is not just a place to buy eggs; it is  a community hub where people can learn about sustainable farming practices, participate in events, and connect with the journey of their food.

Products and Services

Our farm produces organic and free-range eggs. We prioritize the health and natural behavior of our laying hens, resulting in superior-quality eggs with rich flavors and nutritional benefits.

Broiler Chickens

Our broiler chickens are raised in spacious, well-ventilated environments. We provide them with a balanced diet, ensuring the production of tender and flavorful meat. Our commitment to ethical farming practices extends to the entire lifecycle of our chickens.

Additional Services

In addition to our poultry products, we offer services such as poultry farming consultation and educational programs. These services aim to share our expertise with aspiring farmers and raise awareness about ethical farming practices.

Marketing Plan

Feather Grove Poultry Farm takes pride in being the exclusive representative of the Kentucky Poultry Club (KPC), an esteemed company in the poultry industry. This strategic partnership positions us to source unique, patent-protected chicken breeds, providing FGPF with a distinct advantage over competitors in the market. Our primary revenue streams will be generated through the sale of these exclusive poultry breeds and visitor admissions to our innovative poultry farm.

Pricing Model

Feather Grove is committed to offering good-quality and exclusive poultry breeds to our customers. The pricing model for our products and services will be designed to reflect the uniqueness and value of these breeds. As we set out, our focus will be on providing transparency and fair pricing to our customers, ensuring accessibility while maintaining the exclusivity of our offerings.

Competitive Advantage

Our competitive edge lies in the exclusive partnership with the Kentucky Poultry Club (KPC), offering us access to unique and patent-protected chicken breeds that set Feather Grove apart in the market.

Unique and Proprietary Chicken Breeds

Through our collaboration with KPC, we gain access to chicken breeds that are not only unique but also protected by patents. This exclusive access allows FGPF to introduce a variety of chicken breeds to our customers that they won’t find elsewhere. The distinctiveness of our poultry breeds enhances our brand reputation and market positioning.

Poultry Farm Experience Center

Feather Grove will leverage the exclusive chicken breeds to create a unique and innovative poultry farm experience center. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness and interact with these special breeds, making their visit to Feather Grove memorable and educational. Revenue from visitor admissions will complement our sales of exclusive poultry breeds, creating a diversified income stream.

Key Success Factors

The success of Feather Grove is underpinned by various factors critical to our performance, profitability, and our ability to make the most of the exclusive offerings from the Kentucky Poultry Club.

• Effective Marketing and Branding: Communicating the exclusivity of our poultry breeds and the unique experience at our farm.
• Visitor Engagement and Experience: Providing a memorable and educational experience for visitors to the poultry farm.
• Efficient Operations: Ensuring efficient farm operations for the breeding and care of exclusive chicken breeds.
• Strategic Pricing: Implementing a pricing strategy that reflects the value of our exclusive offerings while remaining accessible to customers.
• Collaboration with Kentucky Poultry Club: Maintaining a strong and collaborative relationship with KPC for a continuous supply of unique poultry breeds.
• Customer Satisfaction: Prioritizing customer satisfaction through transparent practices and excellent service.
• Community Engagement: Actively engaging with the local community to foster support and awareness of our exclusive poultry farm.
• Feather Grove Poultry Farm is poised to redefine the poultry farming experience, offering customers and visitors something truly special through our exclusive partnership with the Kentucky Poultry Club.

Let's Get Started!

• Your Name *
• Email Address *
• Phone Number

Sales and Marketing Plan

At Feather Grove Poultry Farm, our sales approach centers around a “direct to source” strategy. Establishing robust relationships with key customers is our priority, complemented by our commitment to delivering top-notch poultry products and impeccable execution.

Target Customers

Our target customers are strategically categorized based on revenue potential, with a focus on establishing strong connections and delivering quality products.

United Poultry Association (UPA): We aim to secure substantial revenue through strategic collaboration with UPA, leveraging their network to sell our premium poultry breeds to various stakeholders, with a primary focus on exporters.

Local Grocers:

Louisville Grocers: To build partnerships with local grocers to feature our exclusive poultry products.

Educational and Social Events: Targeting local event planners involved in educational and social events provides an opportunity to showcase our poultry farm as a unique and engaging venue. By forming partnerships with event planners, we aim to cater to their specific poultry-related needs.

Sales Strategies

Direct Relationship Building: To forge direct relationships with key customers, understanding their unique needs and preferences.

Product Showcase Events: To host events showcasing our poultry breeds, inviting potential customers like exporters, grocers, florists, and event planners to experience the quality firsthand.

Educational Workshops: To conduct workshops for local grocers and educate them on the distinct features and benefits of our poultry breeds.

Customized Offerings: To tailor our offerings to meet the specific requirements of each customer segment, ensuring a personalized and impactful approach.

Marketing Strategies

Online Presence: To establish a professional and user-friendly website to showcase our poultry breeds, pricing, and farm-related activities.

Social Media Campaigns: To leverage social media platforms to create awareness and engage with potential customers. Regular updates, promotions, and customer testimonials will be shared.

Local Collaborations: To collaborate with local associations, such as the Kentucky Poultry Club, to enhance our visibility in the community.

Participation in Local Events: To actively participate in local fairs, farmers’ markets, and community events to interact directly with potential customers.

Have Questions? Looking To Get Started?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

SWOT Analysis

Operational Plan

Feather Grove Poultry Farm aims to create a seamless operational process, offering both products and services to cater to retailers, wholesalers, and direct consumers. The combination of the farming area and the innovative visitor center is designed to attract a diverse range of customers, making it a popular destination for those seeking quality chicken products.

Operational Process

Farming Area 

Service Offering: Growing a variety of chickens for sale.

Products Sold: Eggs and chicken products.

Feed Source: Direct sourcing of chicken feeds from Kentucky Poultry Club (KPC).

Payment Method: 100% upfront payment in cash.

Visitor Center 

Service Offering: Visitor center with unique landscape and design.

Features: Walking paths

Target Audience: Tourists, potential chicken and egg buyers, and the general public.

Payment Methods: 100% upfront payment accepted in cash.

Equipment & Inventory

Farming Area: Chicken coops, feeding equipment, farming tools.

Visitor Center: Seating arrangements and visitor amenities.

Inventory: Chicken feeds, eggs, poultry-related merchandise.

Business Operation: 6 days a week (Monday to Saturday).

Hours: 8 am to 5 pm

Management Team

John Farmer 

Co-Founder & Farm Manager

John Farmer is an accomplished and results-driven agricultural professional with over 15 years of experience in managing and optimizing farm operations. Mr. Farmer’s expertise lies in crop cultivation, precision farming, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices. John has a proven track record of increasing yields and profitability through strategic planning and innovative technologies. As a hands-on leader, Mr. Farmer has successfully overseen large-scale farming operations, ensuring efficiency and adherence to quality standards. John is passionate about harnessing technology for agricultural advancements and is committed to contributing to the growth and sustainability of the farming industry.

Emily Young

Co-Founder & Marketing & Sales Officer 

Emily Young is a dedicated agricultural scientist specializing in farming and poultry. With a Master’s degree in Agricultural Science, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge in crop genetics, soil health, and sustainable farming practices. Ms. Young’s research contributions have been published in leading agricultural journals, showcasing strong dedication to advancing the field. Emily excels in designing and conducting experiments to enhance crop resilience and productivity. Emily’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement aligns with the vision of creating more sustainable and resilient agricultural landscapes, especially in the poultry farming sector.  Ms. Young is poised to make lasting contributions to the farming and poultry sectors working towards a more sustainable and promising future for agriculture.

Key Personnel 

The following section outlines each individual role, and their respective responsibilities:

Farm Manager

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the poultry farm. This includes managing the care and health of the poultry, overseeing feeding programs, and monitoring environmental conditions are in place. The farm manager is also responsible for coordinating staff, maintaining equipment, and implementing health and safety protocols on the farm.

Marketing & Sales Officer 

This role involves developing marketing strategies, establishing relationships with retailers, wholesalers, and distributors, and ensuring that the poultry products reach the intended customers. The coordinator may also be involved in market analysis, pricing strategies, and promotional activities to boost sales.

Quality Assurance Specialist

Responsible for maintaining and improving the quality standards of poultry products. The specialist may also be involved in implementing quality control measures throughout the production process, from breeding and raising poultry to processing and packaging.

Poultry Care Specialist

Responsible for the direct care and health of the poultry.

Equipment Maintenance

Manages the maintenance and upkeep of farm equipment.

Organization Structure

Financial Plan

The financial projections presented here is a result of careful planning by the management team at Feather Grove Poultry Farm. These projections look ahead and are subject to securing the required funding. It is the responsibility of the audience to conduct their own thorough investigation.

Considering the current state of the market and the specifics of our business, we outline the expected funding needs for the initial year of operations in the following financial plan. This plan serves as a transparent guide, showcasing our commitment to sound financial practices and strategic management.

INCOME STATEMENT

The Pro Forma Income Statement outlines the company’s anticipated financial performance for the next three years, with gross revenue projections of $456,795 in Year 1, $629,776 in Year 2, and $813,124 in Year 3. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) show positive growth, reaching $111,548 in Year 1, $180,456 in Year 2, and $248,423 in Year 3. The Pro Forma Income Statement provides key insights into the company’s profitability and financial trajectory.

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

The Pro Forma Cash Flow Statement is a vital component of the business plan, projecting cash inflows and outflows over the next three years. It anticipates a strong start in Year 1 with an opening cash balance of $10,000, followed by significant growth in Year 2 with an opening balance of $33,388. By Year 3, the business is poised for continued success, starting with an opening cash balance of $69,756. The statement serves as a critical tool for financial planning, providing insights for strategic decision-making and ensuring effective management of cash resources .

BALANCE SHEET

The Pro Forma Balance Sheet provides a snapshot of the company’s financial standing over the next three years, showcasing a progressive increase in total assets from $80,100 in the opening year to $760,612 in Year 3. Shareholders’ equity, a combination of invested equity, cumulative retained earnings, and dividends paid, is anticipated to grow from $70,100 in the opening year to $271,492 in Year 3, indicating a positive trajectory for the company’s financial health.

Creating a plan for your chicken farm is a wise step, especially when applying for funding. By utilizing a business plan format , you will gain valuable insights. As you learn about the chicken farming industry, your competitors, and your customers, you can develop an effective and strategic marketing plan . This process will help you understand what it takes to start and grow a successful chicken farming business.

In the US, more and more business owners are looking for business plan templates using phrases like sample poultry business plan pdf, poultry farming business plan pdf, poultry business plan pdf, and even poultry business plan pdf South Africa. This indicates that entrepreneurs recognize the significance of having a well-organized business plan outline , including an operational plan , for their chicken farms. These templates are valuable because they offer insights into the specifics of the chicken farming industry and help in developing a robust marketing strategy. As more individuals seek guidance in starting successful chicken farms, these templates become essential for making informed decisions and ensuring sustained growth in the industry.

If you’ve been exploring a chicken business plan, poultry farm business plan, or chicken poultry business plan and you’re still looking for an easy way to create your own, you are in the right place. BSBCON offers business plan writing services across different industries, and many businesses have achieved great success with our help.

Our expert business plan writers specialize in simplifying the process of how to start a poultry farm with winning business plans. Whether you are starting a chicken farm, a larger poultry project, or a combination of both, our expertise in creating effective plans can be a significant help.

Take your poultry farm dreams to new heights with a business plan that sets you up for success. Reach out to us today.

How can we help you?

Get in touch with us or visit our office

How to Do Poultry Farming? Cost & Profit Explained

Introduction to Poultry Farming! Table of Contents Toggle Importance of Poultry Farming in India How to Start a Poultry Farming Business in India? 1. Identify the Types of Poultry Farming a. Layer Poultry Farming b. Broiler Poultry Farming 2. Decide on Chicken Breed a. Commercial broiler chicken breeds b. Dual purpose broiler chicken breeds 3. Have the Right Capital 4. Apply for Licences & Permits 5. Have a Poultry Farming Business Plan 6. Select the Business Location 7. Gather the Right Equipment 8. Select Labour & Staff 9. Market Your Business Layer Poultry Farming Cost & Profit Analysis Poultry Farming Subsidies Frequently Asked Questions on Poultry Farming

Poultry farming is the rearing and management of certain species to procure their by-products, such as chicken, eggs, feathers, etc. The rearing can involve a lot of domesticated birds, such as — chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, etc., depending on the location.

However, poultry farming lately is only connected with the rearing, breeding & management of chickens (a hen) only. Commercial poultry farming in India is on a steep rise, mainly in states such as:

Top States for Poultry Farming

Want to sell used tractor? Check the best price here !

Importance of Poultry Farming in India

Poultry farming is a very “small budget” with a “huge profit” business. By investing approx. INR 4-5 lakhs , you can earn an annual income of Rs. 20,00,000 . The best thing is, you can even start off with limited labour and space. India has almost 69% meat eaters and just 23% egg eaters specifically, who call themselves “eggitarians”). So

How to Start a Poultry Farming Business in India?

Starting a poultry farm in India is easy and profitable for Indian farmers. With a very few investments, this business is easy to start & scale. To help increase your earning potential, Here is your guide on how to start poultry farming business in India. Note the steps!

1. Identify the Types of Poultry Farming

You must know that there are two kinds or methods of poultry farming in India:

• Broiler poultry farming
• Country chicken farming

a. Layer Poultry Farming

In layer poultry farming, birds are reared or maintained for procuring their eggs mainly. The common timeline for different species of birds is between 18 weeks to 78 weeks .

b. Broiler Poultry Farming

In broiler poultry farming, both male & female chickens are reared for their tender, young meat. The chicken for this process should be 6 weeks old and weigh between 40 gms to 1.5 kgs .

Moreover, you need to decide the type of system you will adopt to rear and breed chickens. You can choose either a litter system, where birds are scattered or a cage system, where birds are kept systematically in cages.

1. Litter Poultry System

This is a method of raising poultry in which birds are kept on a floor covered with bedding material, such as straw or sawdust, to prevent the birds from touching the bare floor.

2. Cage Poultry System

The Cage Poultry System is a method of housing egg-laying hens in which they are kept in small wire cages, typically with several birds in each cage.

2. Decide on Chicken Breed

Broiler chickens are classified into two breeds types:

a. Commercial broiler chicken breeds

These breeds are commercially reared to extract mainly their meat. They are ready to slaughter once they are 6-8 weeks old. Such breeds are genetically made to produce more meat. Some of the common commercial breeds of chicken are:

b. Dual purpose broiler chicken breeds

The dual breeds of broiler chickens are genetically modified to produce both meat & egg. They have heavy & strong bodies. Moreover, they lay brown-shelled eggs.

Some of the famous dual broiler chicken breeds are:

• Rhode Island Red
• New Hampshire
• White Plymouth Rock

Select the breed based on the vision and capital you have to start your poultry farming business in India.

3. Have the Right Capital

The amount of capital required will depend upon the size of the business you are planning to start. The capital investment can be roughly between INR 50,000 to 2,00,000 for small-scale poultry farming businesses . Whereas, if you wish to start a large-scale poultry business , the investment can be as massive as Rs 10-15 lakhs .

However, if you don’t own such capital, you can:

a. Take small business loans – The best thing is, the interest rates can be less & you get tax rebates on the loan amount.

b. Take part in the government. schemes & programmes – You can avail of schemes like PM SVAnidhi Scheme. The government launched this loan scheme to help street vendors who suffered during Covid 19 wave. The scheme aims to grow the economy of street vendors by providing easy working capital loans. PM SVANidhi is a micro-credit scheme that grants loans up to INR 10,000 with subsequent amounts as INR 20,000 and INR 50,000 with a 7% interest subsidy without any collateral. The scheme aims to raise individuals’ capital power and facilitate digital transactions among street vendors.

c. Crowdfunding – You can ask people to offer generous funds in small or any capacity they can.

d. Or you can lend it even from any friends & family who support your vision of starting a poultry business.

4. Apply for Licences & Permits

Applying for certain licences and certificates is very important to start any small to big poultry farming business legally and safely in India. You will require the following registrations & licences to make your business lawful and credible.

5. Have a Poultry Farming Business Plan

Create a blueprint about how you will be starting the farm. Find answers to the following point in that plan:

• Land or area to start
• Poultry farming equipment list
• Types/methods of poultry farming
• Eggs production process
• Broiler breeding process
• Capital & cost evaluation
• Funds & loans
• Marketing & distribution channels

Check out – Best farming Implements from top brands!

6. Select the Business Location

Location is the most important factor in starting your poultry farming business. Make sure the location you choose has all amenities like electricity, water, drainage channels, local markets, selling markets, etc. However, keep the farm or factory in slightly isolated or far-off locations from residential areas, as chickens produce a foul smell.

Based on the type of chicken, breed & health condition, you will need space where you can have 3 separate areas of-

• Floor space
• Waterer space
• Feeder space

7. Gather the Right Equipment

To continue the process, you will need the right kind of equipment. You will need:

• Egg tray & washers
• Lighting fixtures
• Brooders or heaters
• Dressin & ventilation system
• Waste disposal system

Also Check – Top quality 4wd Tractors in budget

8. Select Labour & Staff

The number of labour and staff will depend on the size of the farms or the number of birds you own. For beginners, you can start with just 200-500 birds and employ people to feed or breed them as per your budget, size & type of farm & requirements.

You must hire a knowledgeable 3-4 staff that you can entrust with the following responsibilities:

• To feed food and water to the birds.
• Walk through the farm to notice any sick or injured birds.
• To assist in egg collection, sorting & grading if it’s layer farming.
• To support putting eggs in cartons on a layer farm.
• And, to regulate the climate & temperature of the farm, keeping birds’ comfort in view.
• To conduct frequent maintenance throughout the farm. And ensure the watering, lighting & heating systems are working just fine.
• To ensure high standards of animal welfare are thoroughly met.

9. Market Your Business

Identify how uniquely you would package your egg cartons for them to stand out in the market. As well as figure out the vendors, distributors or retailers who would sell your produced eggs.

Since we are in the digital age, you can also list yourself on instant delivery platforms like Blinkit, dunzo, big basket, Godrej’s nature basket, and many other platforms of choice.

Layer Poultry Farming Cost & Profit Analysis

Poultry farming business is easy to start with capital as small as Rs 2 -3 lakhs . If you start layer farming at a small level with just 1500 chickens , you can earn somewhere between INR 50,000 to 1 lakh . After deciding on the chicken, ascertain the place where you will be rearing them. Further, the estimated cost of starting the layer farming would be:

• You need to have INR 50,000 to buy the chickens.
• Besides this, you should have INR 1-2 lakh for spending on the cage & equipment.
• You also need to have some money set aside for buying food & medicines for the chickens.

Note that the hens start laying eggs after 20 weeks and continue to do so for up to a year. You will be required to spend approx. INR 1 – 2 lakh for feeding the chicken. A layer bird can lay around 300 eggs annually.

If you start with 1500 hens and get 290 eggs from each hen, you will get around 4,35,000 eggs within a year. Even if you are able to sell 4 lakh eggs (after wastage), one egg retails for Rs. 5-7 in the market.

So, you will easily earn an annual revenue of:

When the price is Rs 5 …

Rs. 5 X 4,00,000 = INR 20,00,000

When the price is Rs 7 …

Rs. 7X 4,00,000 = INR 28,00,000

Poultry Farming Subsidies

Govt. provides a subsidy of up to 25% on poultry farming business loans. While for SC & ST , the subsidy can be up to 30% . You will just have to invest a small amount, and for the rest, you can avail of a poultry farm loan for the same.

You can easily get a new tractor loan with the application process!

Final Thoughts

These were the quick steps to start a poultry farming business plan in 2023 and beyond. By ensuring the above steps, right from selecting the poultry type to evaluating the govt. With subsidies, you can start a profitable poultry farming business in India. By investing a little capital as Rs 4-5 lakhs , you can expect to earn an income of INR 20 lakhs .

If you wish to explore other farming activities, make sure to have absolute quality farming tractors & implements from the best brands. And for more poultry farming information, stay tuned to our web stories .

Frequently Asked Questions on Poultry Farming

1. What is poultry farming?

Ans. It is a process of rearing birds either domestically or commercially to extract their by-products like meat, eggs & feathers.

2. What are the advantages of poultry farming in India?

Ans. Poultry farming is not seasonal, as eggs have huge demand yearly. Moreover, less capital investment & huge profit potential could be other reasons to pursue this business.

3. Is poultry farming profitable in India?

Ans. You can earn an average revenue of up to Rs 10-15 lakhs from the poultry farming business in India.

4. How to start poultry farming in India?

Ans. You’ll just need to identify the capital, location, govt. Schemes, types of poultry farming, and get started.

5. What management practices are common in dairy and poultry farming?

Ans. In dairy & poultry farming, you need clean & ventilated spaces and proper vigilance to prevent disease-infecting pathogens.

6. How much will it cost to start poultry farming for beginners?

Ans. You would need approx. INR 50,000 to 2 lakh to start your poultry farm.

7. Is there any poultry farming training?

Ans. You can avail of poultry farming training from various institutions like:

• Central poultry training institute
• Suguna institute of poultry training
• Central avian research institute

Related Blog Top Mushroom Producing States in India Tips for Saffron Cultivation in India

Read previous Top 10 Largest Producer of Pulses in India 2024

Read Next Mahindra JIVO 245 DI Tractor – An Expert Analysis Of Farming Features

Your One-Stop Shop

For poultry farming business, how to start poultry farming business chicken farming business plan for beginners.

How to Start Poultry Farming Business – Chicken Farming Business Plan For Beginners

If you are interested in being a poultry farmer, you must want to know how to start a poultry farming business for beginners, this article tell you the chicken farming business plan which could be helpful for you.

Why to Start Poultry Farming Business Plan

A Poultry farming business can be called one of the most lucrative in the world if it is managed properly. The poultry farmers now we have are not enough that’s why chicken farming business has become so much profitable. It has become the finest opportunity of making a good amount of money in a short period of time. This article will focus on the process of poultry farming, the process of poultry from small farm and how to make it a big one.

1. Fast Reproduction and Large in Numbers

A healthy layer chicken almost lays an egg every day or 4 eggs in a week sometimes it lays 7 eggs in a week too, these all depends on the quality of your birds. Some birds can lay 325 eggs in a year. And it takes 21 days to hatch. Technically this means that a layer chicken is able to produce another layer twice in three days. So, if you have 500 healthy California white birds they are capable of giving you 12,000 chicks within 40 days.

2. A Fast Growth Rate

The most interesting thing about the poultry is its high growth rate. It takes about 21 days when the eggs are hatched. After their birth it takes about 27 to 28 weeks when they are fully ready for the market. That means a poultry farmer starts earning his income in just 31 weeks after he has successfully started his poultry farming business. According to the calculation he will be able to double his income in a year. However there are some uncertainties in this business, mortality and diseases are some of them but it can be reduced by taking proper managements and vaccination.

3. Sales at a Very Profitable Price

The market price of a bird is not so low you can a good profit from it. The price of a fully grown healthy chicken is about 10 to 11 dollar in the market. So if you are the one who produce 12,000 chickens in 40 days in his farm, you obviously are making 120,000 dollar when they are sold completely.

4. The Egg Market is Also Large

The poultry egg market is also good and very profitable. With the meat business, the poultry eggs are another source of good profit. You can earn about 2 to 3 dollar for each crate of smaller eggs and 3-4 for bigger one. Every crate has 30 eggs. So if you have 500 layers in your farm and they lays 12,000 eggs in a month and if you want to sell all of them then you are making 1,500 dollar per month.

Now you can see poultry farming business is a very easy way to make a good profit. But the question is how to start your poultry farming business plan?

Before Starting Your Poultry Farming Business Plan

Before you start your chicken farm business, you have to make a poultry farming business plan, it is very important for all types of business. A business plan is like a road map which tells you where you are going with your business. A business plan will tell you at which point you are now in your business. Your poultry farming business plan should include the following points.

1. Select The Type of Poultry Bird

The first step of starting a poultry business is the selection of bird type. Here you will choose the type of birds is that layer chicken or broiler. You can choose any of them it totally up to you. There are some other types of birds that you can bring in your consideration. They are the duck, goose, turkey etc.

2. Select The Cage Type of Your Poultry

Another important factor consider before baking the final plan of your chicken farm is to select the chicken cage type and size. Maybe you are thinking that, this is not that much necessary to think before starting the business, but believe it actually is. Estimating over your cost over the chicken cages will affect both positively and negatively on your entire poultry business plan. So go through the cage type on our website and choose the best type of cages you need.

3. Sort out The Area of Interest

You can’t start poultry business without a goal. You have to choose a path where you want to flow your business. This will concentrate your focus in one point and will ensure higher level of professionalism but if you want to work with two areas then no problem. Here are some niches of poultry farming.

• Layer Chicken Breeding : These are mainly used for egg production.
• Broiler Breeding : It is used for chicken meat production.
• Hatchery : Is for hatching new chicks.
• Poultry feed : It produce feeds for other poultry farms.

You can choose any of them. You can choose breed layer and broiler together if you want to.

4. Specify Poultry Location

Another important sector of poultry farming is choosing the location where you will set up for your business. It has a direct impact with the start up cost. My preferable place for a poultry farm is a rural area with a road nearby. This will reduce your cost of land and labor. When you start your poultry farming business you may not want to spend all of your money for a land in urban area. There are some other difficulties in urban area with poultry farming. Govt. will not allow you to make a farm in a residential area for health issue. So it is better to select a perfect land for your business in a rural area.

5. Investment Capital

After you have specified your location now you know how much capital you are required to start your chicken farming business plan. Write down all of your capital you need and manage the source where to get manage it.

Like every business the bigger your business plan the bigger you have to invest. You have to decide how much capital you can afford for this business.

Poultry Farming Business Plan – How to Get Going?

You have all of your business plans ready but if you don’t apply it then all are useless. We consider you have your capital ready if you have that then start for the next steps.

Step 1: Buy The Land

Like we suggested you earlier you have to choose a land which is a remote place from city. But remember don’t choose any place which is too far from the city and which don’t have any well transportation system.

Step 2: Build The Required Structure

A good housing system is very important for your poultry farming business. A good housing system not only save your chickens from danger but also increase your profit in poultry business. Every poultry housing systems are classified according to the management system, scale and the use. The common types of poultry housing systems used are

• Half litter
• Deep litter

Step 3: Buy Cages

Purchasing chicken cages is a very important part of the business as many of the affecting factors directly depends on the size, orientation, strength and layout of the chicken cage. Make proper measurements and analyze your poultry size and budget before buying the chicken cage. Here are the available chicken cages we offer – layer chicken cage (battery cage) , baby chick cage , broiler cage , commercial quail cages and commercial rabbit cages , etc. Hightop Poultry Equipment is one of the leading chicken cage and poultry farm equipment manufacturer in China, contact us now to get the free layout design according to your chicken house and birds quantity.

We have got another article in this blog describing the usage and utility of each of the cage types and surely that will help you to choose the best fit of your poultry.

Step 4: Buy Birds/Chicks

It is perfect decision to choose day old chick to start your poultry business. Before you buy these chicks find a reliable Hatchery where you can get healthy chicks. It will not cost you too much.

Step 5: Other Items and Accessories You Need

There are some other poultry cage accessories like drinkers , feeders , Parches, crates, nests, lighting system , egg incubator , waste disposal system , etc.

You have to consider these costs too. And as an eventual part of plan, we also provide you the best poultry farm equipment like – Automatic egg collector , automatic feeding system , automatic manure removal machine , disinfectant fogging machine and cooling system, etc. in a very affordable price and top quality.

Challenges in Poultry Business Startup

Poultry farming is one of the most profitable business in these days. But you have to know the risk of this business. Though there are no businesses which are beyond risk and challenges.

1. Lack of Government Support

From our previous experiences we all may think that govt. will help us at our critical time in this business. But don’t be sure about it. Prepare yourself that govt. will not help when you need them. Think that you have to run your business alone without the help of any one. Take a backup for sudden loss. It may help you to run your business properly and if you get help from the govt. think that it is a bonus.

2. A Very High Starting Capital

It is said money is everything. So without a proper funding you will not be able to run your business. Like other business, poultry farming business also needs proper funding. Without it you may not be able to add extra facilities which will increase your production rate.

You need proper funding to purchase land, poultry farm equipment, food for your chick and you need to pay your labor. In all sector you need a good capital. So you should do a research on your cost and capital you have then you should start your poultry farm business. We can provide you the poultry cage and chicken farm equipment with good price, help you to save money.

3. Disease Out Breaking

A dirty environment in your firm will invite many diseases and infections. Poultry are very sensitive to the environmental changes. If the poultry farm is not taken care of properly the birds will easily be exposed to different kinds of bacteria. You have to keep your poultry farm clean as much as possible. Automatic manure cleaning system, disinfectant fogging machine and ventilating system can help you.

You must not bring any contaminated equipment, footwear or even vehicles. Also do not allow any visitors in your poultry farm environment.

4. Other Influencing Factors

There are some other factors that can affect your poultry farming business like proper vaccination. You have to be able to afford it may become difficult for you if you are a small scale poultry farmer. So the thing you have to do is gather some other farmers like you and buy the vaccine.

Another challenge in poultry farming is the high cost of poultry food. So it is seen that most of the farmers who have a little capital, economize or ration the food. It affects the profit in a large scale.

Want to buy chicken cage and poultry farm equipment to start your own poultry farming business? Please feel free to contact us.

Share This With Your Friends

Related posts.

Contract Poultry Farming Companies Near Me – Transform Your Poultry Business with HIGHTOP

Use HIGHTOP Battery Cage to Revolutionize Your Poultry Farm

Use HIGHTOP Battery Cage to Improve Breeding Efficiency

Successful Poultry Business Tips – Marketing Strategy for Poultry

Poultry Light Control of the Layer Chicken House

Leave a comment 取消回复.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Investigate Midwest

Early morning calls. Barren chicken barns. Millions in debt. 

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

Key takeaways

* Several Tyson Foods poultry growers said they were taken off guard when they were told their contracts were ending. Some had recently gone deeper into debt to upgrade their chicken barns to Tyson's specifications.

* Because barns are designed for the specific needs of Tyson Foods, growers are struggling to find new companies to contract with. "It’s not like you can buy 300,000 chickens on your own and put them in (barns) and find a market," one grower said.

* It's unclear how many growers were affected by the closures.

Timothy Bundren must have heard wrong. 

The sun wasn’t up yet. He was still groggy from starting his morning routine of walking through chicken barns. 

His phone rang and his contact with the global meat company headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, just two hours south of his farm, started telling him he would no longer be raising chickens. 

Bundren, 52, didn’t believe him at first. Just hours later, he was supposed to meet with the bank about another loan to buy the farm down the road. Bundren waited an hour and then called the man back.

The news didn’t change, but the weight sunk in.

Tyson Foods closed four meatpacking plants that day in North Little Rock, Arkansas; Noel and Dexter, Missouri; and Corydon, Indiana. Bundren lives near the plants closed in Missouri and Arkansas. Because of this, the company canceled Bundren’s contract to raise broiler chickens.

But to his knowledge, the chickens Bundren raised weren’t processed at the plants shut down that day. His chickens were shipped to a Tyson plant in Green Forest, Arkansas, just half an hour away and still in operation.

When Tyson closed those regional plants, it had to reassess which growers would send chickens to which plants to meet demand, said Eddie Todd, president of the Missouri-Arkansas Poultry Growers Association and president of the Arkansas Farmers Union.

“The plant that (Bundren) sent his birds to might not have been directly the cause since it didn’t close, but it was because of the other closures and how Tyson looked at all the plants’ feasibility,” Todd said. 

Bundren and other growers affected by the closures have been caught in the wake of a larger, company-wide initiative to cut costs. But that has left some growers with more than a million dollars in debt — debt they accumulated at Tyson’s urging — and few options to pay it back, according to growers Investigate Midwest interviewed.

They told me point blank that as long as I grow decent birds and do my job, they would keep me in birds long enough to pay my loan off. Timothy bundren

Bundren is $1.4 million in debt. Nine months since that call, his barns are still empty. 

While relieved he didn’t sign onto another loan, his world has been turned upside down. 

“I’m thinking if I’m hearing this right, I’m out of business,” he said. “How am I going to pay a loan this big back?”

Tyson introduced a restructuring program in 2022 that included consolidating corporate headquarters, reducing expenses and increasing efficiency, according to its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“These assets that we’re shuttering would have required significant capital in order to make them competitive,” said Tyson President and Chief Executive Officer Donnie King in an August 2023 investor meeting, the same morning the company announced plant closures across four states. “If you look at the returns on those, it really didn’t make sense to do that.”

The company’s plans came at a human cost. Tyson closed eight meatpacking plants in 2023, six of them chicken processing and two beef processing. It laid off more than 4,200 workers across all of its plants last year. 

The company has a lot to gain from its contract growers. In 2023, Tyson Foods had nearly $53 billion in sales — a third of which was from chicken. The company operates 183 chicken facilities across the country, which include processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills and grain elevators. The company’s website states it contracts with more than 3,600 poultry farmers nationwide.

It is unclear how many growers, who are not employees, had contracts with Tyson before the plants closed last year. 

But in the counties where Tyson shut down chicken processing plants last year, and where contract growers who spoke to Investigate Midwest operate in, there were a total of 114 broiler chicken farms under production contracts in 2022, according to the USDA’s most recent agricultural census. Many farms raise more than a million birds each year. 

Bundren has spent the past six years annually raising about 600,000 broiler chickens, or chickens bred for consumption. 

Like almost all broiler chickens in the country, his were raised under contract for a major poultry company. Many chicken growers only grow for a single company as more than half of contract chicken growers live in a region with two or fewer companies, according to a 2012 Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics study. 

“I stand a chance of losing everything. Every (chicken) house I got, all my land, everything,” Bundren said. “It’s throwing me and my family in the street. Tyson ain’t thinking about that, and I guess they don’t care.”

An expensive proposition

From the pivotal early morning phone calls to the millions in debt, former Tyson contract growers who spoke to Investigate Midwest said they have had to take out upwards of $2 million loans to become Tyson contract growers. Their contracts canceled, they’re now saddled with massive debt. They said the company pushed them to go into more debt to upgrade their barns to meet company demands. Growers also said the company told them that they would be given chickens to raise for as long as they had loans on their barns. 

Now that their contracts have abruptly ended, Tyson contract growers said they aren’t able to pay off the debt. Growers are staring down bankruptcy and foreclosures. Some have sold off land or other property to pay off debt while others have retired or looked for work off the farm. 

Investigate Midwest spoke to five growers, located in Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana and Virginia, and pored through lawsuits filed by four other contract growers to find how Tyson’s closures have affected the farmers who raise the company’s chickens. A grower in Virginia asked for anonymity because of concerns over breach of contract. Another grower asked to speak on background only, but their situation mirrored that of the other growers.

Tyson did not answer specific questions about the closures, its relationship with contract growers, or how many growers lost contracts due to these closures. In a statement emailed to Investigate Midwest, it said closing plants was not an easy move:

“Tyson Foods is proud to partner with a network of independent growers across the country, and we value the contribution that these growers make to our business. Closing plants is always a difficult decision, and we understand the impact it has on the people and businesses in those communities. We work to help our team members and partners through that transition, and Tyson Foods has provided affected growers with several options to honor our contractual commitments and allow growers to receive fair value.”

Almost a year after the first announcement of Tyson plant closures and canceled contracts, King, Tyson’s president and CEO, said in a February investors meeting that the company is already “seeing the benefits of these actions and we’ll continue to evaluate opportunities to drive efficiency, across our segments.

“The improvements are coming from operational improvements, operational excellence both in plants and in live production and really driving out waste from the business,” King said.

Tyson’s 2023 annual report states it lost $322 million in costs related to closing plants in 2023. One of those costs was contract terminations for chicken growers. The growers that Investigate Midwest interviewed were offered buyouts of their contracts but all stated it would not be enough to cover the entirety of  their debt.

read more on tyson foods

What you need to know about Tyson’s former contract growers

Tyson Foods released 371 million pounds of pollution into U.S. waterways: report

GRAPHIC: Tyson Foods laid off more than 4,200 employees in 2023

Raising poultry is the most expensive type of livestock or animal production farming in the U.S., according to Census of Agriculture data. 

The poultry industry was one of the first to introduce the practice of outsourcing debt and risk associated with raising live animals. All major poultry companies use the practice, said Aaron Johnson, a co-policy director at the agricultural reform nonprofit, Rural Advancement Foundation International, or RAFI, headquartered in North Carolina. Tyson owns and delivers the birds to the growers who must put their own money into their operations.

“The model is designed to put that debt load external to the company so that if the company decides to shut down a facility, they are not left holding the bag,” Johnson said. “The contract growers are.”

Tyson’s cost-cutting doesn’t appear to be helping the company’s stock price. Earlier this month, it experienced its worst one-day decline in a year, according to Reuters .

From top grower to empty barns

Six years ago, Bundren moved to rural Harrison, Arkansas, to start growing chickens for Tyson. A former car mechanic, electrician and property manager, he switched careers to put his family into a better financial position and so he could stop working multiple jobs. 

Bundren said Tyson verbally promised him years of steady pay if he took out the loans needed to purchase chicken barns. Now, the rug has been pulled out from beneath him. 

“They told me point blank that as long as I grow decent birds and do my job, they would keep me in birds long enough to pay my loan off,” Bundren said.

There’s pride in his voice when he talks about his chicken barns and the life he was afforded by raising chickens. 

He emphasizes that he always kept his barns clean. Along the dirt road on which his house is located, his driveway is the only one paved. 

Chicken growers are generally paid under a system known as the tournament system, a method in which chicken companies rank a grower’s flock of birds against neighboring growers based on the size of the birds and how much feed and other expenses they used. The higher the ranking a contract grower receives, the more money they get. The opposite remains true, though, leaving poultry contract growers susceptible to major swings in pay.

Today, Bundren’s barns are useless. He has no income from poultry farming. The barns he purchased are designed for Tyson chickens, making it difficult to transition to raising poultry for another company.

This is a common experience across the poultry industry. Growers will build or purchase barns with company-specific parameters. In instances where a contract is cut short or growers want to move to a different poultry company, they often are unable to use or sell the equipment and barns they already own, according to a 2006 study in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. 

After the initial shock, Bundren talked to a regional Butterball plant about raising turkeys for the company — only to discover it would cost at least $250,000 to upgrade his barns to its specifications. He said the brunt of the cost was replacing all feed and water lines to be sized for turkeys instead of broiler chickens.

In the end, Bundren said he was unable to raise turkeys for Butterball because his farm is located too close to other poultry operations. He was told this could create a biosecurity risk for the birds.

“Right now I’m scared to death,” Bundren said. “I’m scared I’m gonna lose everything and I made a mistake by putting my family up here.”

Bundren entered the industry at a rough time for growers. In the seven counties in Arkansas and Missouri affected by plant closures, chicken farms were consolidating. From 2002 to 2022, the number of broiler farms under contract was cut in half, according to USDA data.

At the same time, poultry farm debt in Arkansas and Missouri exploded. In Arkansas, the amount of debt and other liabilities held by poultry growers tripled from 2003 to 2022, according to an analysis of USDA farm income data. In Missouri, the figure increased six-fold.

In 2022, the total cost of raising poultry in the country was nearly double that of raising hogs. Poultry is more expensive to raise than dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep and goats. USDA research shows that raising chickens can also provide less revenue. 

Nationally, the cost of raising chickens increased 35% from 2012 to 2022, according to an analysis of Census of Agriculture data. This data does not separate out types of poultry or delineate between the cost of raising chickens for consumption or egg production.

Despite rising costs and debt loads, growers said Tyson continued to ask for upgrades and investments or they would lose their contracts. 

Bundren noted growers, if they don't invest in further upgrades per Tyson specifications, they're told they won't receive additional birds. "(Tyson) don't give a damn about how much money it costs," he said.

Sleepless nights

Nine months ago, Preston Arnold’s phone rang as he was driving his 1999 white Chevy Silverado to his chicken barns. He pulled over to the side of the road to answer it. It was his Tyson broiler manager. A few moments into the conversation, Arnold, 67, thought he was joking. 

As the man on the phone walked him through the news, Arnold realized he wasn’t. 

He looked down the road and saw his eight chicken barns in Sikeston, Missouri. They would soon be empty. He stood to lose everything.

Arnold had been around the chicken industry for years. His brother and father raised birds for Tyson for 25 years while he pursued a career in the insurance industry. He said as he got older, he wanted to travel less and be home more. He bought chicken barns half a mile from his house in Sikeston. Then, he contracted with Tyson to supply birds for the Dexter, Missouri, slaughter plant 30 minutes away. 

For almost five years, he raised close to a million chickens a year for Tyson. When he started as a contract grower in 2019, Arnold’s original loan was for $1.6 million. 

As of mid-April, his loan balance sits right around $900,000. His barns now barren.

Arnold said he put his home and property up as collateral for the initial loan. Since the plant’s closure, he said that his bank has threatened foreclosure. 

In negotiations with the bank, he said he’s suggested the idea that he keep a barn located at his home throughout the potential foreclosure process, so as to at least have a roof over his head. 

“We've gone a lot of sleepless nights,” he said. “This has just been a roller coaster of emotions.”

The Farm Service Agency, the federal agency that assists and secures loans for agriculture producers, said in a statement to Investigate Midwest that it has met with Arkansas contract growers who lost Tyson contracts. It has yet to meet with growers in other states, though. The agency said situations like this are why the USDA is examining the treatment of contract growers. 

Often, poultry companies will require or strongly encourage growers to upgrade their barns and equipment in order to get more birds to raise, according to USDA research and interviews with contract growers. The USDA estimates that it costs roughly $400,000 to build a new chicken barn, with many growers having multiple barns.

Arnold said in the last two years, he’s invested in upgrading his barns and spent $500,000 on a new one. 

“Had I known that there was even talk about (closure), I wouldn’t have (upgraded or built new barns),” Arnold said. 

I stand a chance of losing everything. Every (chicken) house I got, all my land, everything. It’s throwing me and my family in the street. Tyson ain’t thinking about that, and I guess they don’t care. timothy bundren

The news of Tyson’s closure blindsided Arnold and other contract growers whose chickens were processed at the Dexter plant. According to two lawsuits filed by four Missouri contract growers, Tyson allegedly planned to shut down the Dexter facility at least a year in advance of the announcement. (Tyson did not respond to a question about the lawsuit’s allegations.)

Despite this, the lawsuits state that the company encouraged contract growers to continue taking out loans and updating facilities. The filings allege that Tyson largely benefitted from the contract operations because it did not have to build or maintain farms that the company would knowingly abandon. 

One of the lawsuits was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money. Attorney Russell Oliver, who represented the family that settled and still represents the  contract growers suing Tyson, declined to comment. The other lawsuit is pending. 

“We were not free to seek out other business opportunities on the open market and could only perform this service for the Tyson Companies,” wrote grower Eric Kessler in a signed affidavit from the settled lawsuit. “As such, we are not in ‘business’ for ourselves but were exclusively servants of Tyson.”

The Dexter processing plant was bought by Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg company in the country, in March. Cal-Maine operates more than 100 production, processing and packing facilities across Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, and much of the South. 

The company plans to convert the plant to process egg products and said it will work with some of the region’s former Tyson contract growers to now raise eggs. 

Cal-Maine’s vice president and chief financial officer, Max Bowman, said the company has already started placing birds with contract growers in the Dexter area. He declined to say how many new growers used to contract with Tyson, and he declined to say how much money it would cost to convert their operations to meet Cal-Maine’s requirements. 

“We're quite confident that the opportunity we're going to offer to the growers will be as good as or better than what they had in their former contracts,” Bowman said. 

Arnold said the cost to convert his barn to meet Cal-Maine’s specifications was estimated to be at least $550,000 per barn for four barns, meaning he would have to take out another large loan in order to produce eggs for the company. He is still considering taking out a new loan, but has yet to act. 

A loan of more than $2 million on top of his other debt is hard to swallow.

“If something doesn't happen in the way of an FSA debt relief plan or some new legislation, then we're going to lose everything that we've worked our lives for,” he said. 

Tyson told growers the company was ‘not going anywhere’

The same morning Arnold pulled over to the side of the road, racking his brain about his next move, Jonathon Morrow answered the phone. 

His Tyson service technician told him he was no longer getting birds and the Dexter complex was closing. 

Morrow, 60, who raised roughly 1.8 million broilers annually for Tyson, was nonchalant in his response. 

“I thought, ‘Yep, I’m losing everything,’” he said.

Following the Great Recession, Morrow started looking for other career paths. After working in construction and roofing for decades, he eventually landed on contract chicken growing for Tyson. In 2013, he said he began to build chicken barns on his family’s farmland in Dudley, Missouri, just outside of Dexter.

Now, he is weighing the options of spending more money to become a contract grower with Cal-Maine, selling the barns, or tearing them down and selling the farmland. 

“We went from (360,000 birds a flock) to nothing real quick,” Morrow said. 

Morrow had two different contracts to raise two different types of birds for Tyson. He raised broiler chickens in Dudley and breeding chickens in Annapolis, Missouri, more than an hour away. 

Morrow, a man of faith with an optimistic demeanor, said he was able to pay off his debt on his barns built for his broiler chickens. But, he said, he is millions of dollars in debt for the barns built for breeding chickens. 

Both his broiler contract and breeder contract were canceled by Tyson. The barns have been empty since October 2023. Without a chicken processor in the area, there’s no company to provide him with the birds to occupy them.

“It’s not like you can buy 300,000 chickens on your own and put them in (barns) and find a market,” he said.

In the interim, Morrow has gone back to working construction. On a recent morning call, his laughter was interrupted by the beep of dump trucks. 

read more on the poultry industry

Oklahoma bill would shield poultry companies from lawsuits over chicken litter pollution

Oklahoma’s permit system ushered in new wave of industrial poultry farm growth

GRAPHIC: Poultry plants were already dangerous. Then came COVID-19.

After the Tyson closure in Dexter, Morrow said he was approached by Cal-Maine to become a contract grower. When he heard that it would take nearly a million dollars for him to meet their specifications, he said he was brutally honest with the company. 

“I said, ‘If you think a bank would even loan us more money after this, you’ve lost your mind,’ ” he said. “ ‘And if you think I would be stupid enough to borrow almost another million dollars after this, you’ve lost your mind.’ ”

The agency is currently finalizing a rule proposal internally that will address “certain problematic practices” such as the requirement for additional capital investments in poultry production facilities and equipment. This effort is part of the agency’s ongoing updates to the 100-year-old legislation known as the Packers and Stockyards Act. 

The act, created in 1921, is supposed to protect members of the livestock, meat and poultry industries from “unfair, unjustly discriminatory or deceptive practice.”

The USDA finalized a new rule under the act in February that is supposed to give chicken growers more transparency in their contracts and an understanding of how exactly they are paid. In March, a separate ruling to prevent discriminatory practices was finalized and became law on May 6. 

"Like with starting any new business, chicken farmers typically incur some debt to get their chicken houses built and their farms up and operational,” said Tom Super, National Chicken Council senior vice president of communications, in a statement to Investigate Midwest. “But chicken farmer loan performance data show more consistent payments and one of the lowest loan default rates in all of agriculture. Raising chickens under contract is one of the best and most reliable sources of cash flow that helps keep families on the farm."

The National Chicken Council is an industry group that promotes the sale of chicken in the U.S. and whose board members include executive leaders of several major poultry processors. 

Morrow said he knew the risks of such a large loan when he became a contract grower. But he, just like other growers, was told that if he does a good job, the company was “not going anywhere.” 

“Somebody higher up the food chain had to know this was a possibility,” Morrow said. “Yet they're (still) giving out contracts to build new (chicken) houses.”

A waiting game

In Arkansas, Bundren’s six chicken barns are remain empty as he negotiates with the bank and the FSA about how to handle his debt. His barns were once a source of steady income, but now the empty metal husks are a reminder of the debt he carries.

“(The barns) are worth zero now,” he said. “When you’ve got a contract, they’re worth $200,000-$300,000 used, a piece.”

Now, it’s a waiting game for Bundren. His wife has started looking for work and interviewing for jobs. He is now doing landscaping, excavation and stump grinding to pay bills. 

He said the bank has been working with him to repay the loans and, after some conversations with the FSA, he feels hopeful the agency will help him find a way to manage the financial burden.

Still, his debt of more than a million dollars weighs on him. This past December, while uncertain whether he could keep his house, he tried to have a normal Christmas for his two daughters.

That uncertainty has turned to frustration when he thinks of the money and time he put into making his barns the perfect place to raise Tyson chickens. 

“The mental stress is killing me,” Bundren said. “I still don’t know if I’m going to get to keep anything.”

If he keeps his land and avoids foreclosure, Bundren said he may tear down the barns.

“I don’t want to grow birds anymore anyway,” he said. “You just can’t trust Tyson.”

Sourcing & Methodology Statement:

To find former Tyson Foods contract growers affected by plant closures, Investigate Midwest contacted farmers unions, county agriculture boards, city officials, agricultural reform groups, and city and county economic development officials. Additionally, we scoured social media for people who raise poultry or livestock in the regions where Tyson Foods closed plants in 2023. 

For a better understanding of Tyson’s decision-making process and finances, Investigate Midwest reviewed hundreds of pages of Securities and Exchange Commission documents filed in 2022 and 2023 by the company. The newsroom also reviewed records received through open records requests from city officials in regions where Tyson closed plants last year.

Investigate Midwest sent repeated emails, calls and a mailed letter to Tyson global headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, asking specific questions about the contract growers’ situation. After months, a public affairs company representing Tyson emailed a statement.

Investigate Midwest reviewed historical data regarding the number of broiler chicken farms under contract in the counties where Tyson closed plants in 2023. This data was made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Additionally, the USDA’s Agricultural Resource Management Survey, or ARMS, collects data about the amount of debt and other financial liabilities held by different types of farmers. This data is not a complete picture of the entire country as it only surveys 15 states. These states have large agricultural industries : Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

Citations & References:

Interviews & Statements

Timothy Bundren, Nov. 30, 2023; Feb. 29, April 2, 4, 5, 11, 17, 2024

Preston Arnold, Dec. 4, 2023; Feb.  29, March 26, 28,  April 4, 5,16, 17; 2024

Jonathan Morrow, Jan. 29, April 4, 9, 10, 16, 2024

Tyson contract grower, Virginia, Nov 27, 2023;  April 4, 9, 2024

Tyson contract grower, Indiana, Jan. 29, March 4, April 4, 10, 2024

Max Bowman, March 25, 2024

Allan Rodriquez, March 18, 22, 2024

Aaron Johnson, April 1, 2024

Tyson Foods statement, April 12, 2024

Documents Tyson First Quarter 2023 Results press release , Feb. 6, 2023

Tyson Foods First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call , Feb. 5, 2024

Tyson Foods Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call, Aug. 7, 2023

Tyson Foods Annual Report 2023 , filed with SEC, Sept. 30, 2023 

Tyson Foods Q1 SEC report 2024 , Feb. 5, 2024

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Assets from Tyson Foods, Inc. press release March 14

NCC Says New USDA Poultry Contracting Regulation is Costly and Unnecessary , Nov. 8, 2023

Hinkle Vs. Tyson Foods , filed Dec. 22, 2023

Kesler V. Tyson Foods , filed Aug. 22, 2023

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (AMS-FTPP-22-0046)

Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments , USDA, published Nov. 28, 2023

Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act , USDA, published March 6, 2024

FACT SHEET : The Biden-⁠Harris Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, 2022

Market Power in Poultry Production Contracting? Evidence from a Farm Survey James M. MacDonald and Nigel Key, 2012, Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Oligopsony Power, Asset Specificity, and Hold-Up : Evidence from the Broiler Industry, 2006, Journal of Agricultural Economics

Technology, Organization, and Financial Performance in U.S. Broiler Production , 2014

News stories

Tyson Foods closing plants: 4 more facilities to shutter in 2024 , USA Today, Aug. 7, 2023

Farmers Take Out Millions In Loans To Raise Chickens For Big-Box Retailers , NPR, June 22, 2017

Type of work: Investigative / Enterprise In-depth examination of a single subject requiring extensive research and resources.

Republish This Story

Republish our articles for free, online or in print.

Republish this article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .

Investigate Midwest Reporting Republishing Guidelines

Unless otherwise noted, you are allowed to republish our stories, original photos and graphics for free under the following conditions:

• You must include a credited byline as published , for example “Author Name, Investigate Midwest.” If your system does not allow it, you instead must include this tag at the top of the story:“This story was originally published on Investigate Midwest”
• You must include this tagline and linkback Investigate Midwest is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Our mission is to serve the public interest by exposing dangerous and costly practices of influential agricultural corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism. Visit us online at www.investigatemidwest.org
• Please note:  Some of our work is funded through grants and fellowships and may be embargoed for republication until a set date.In these instances, we will have a special tagline and byline on our original published piece. If you republish this work, you must include these credits as published. Any work embargoed for republication will be denoted.
• Original photos and graphics may be republished with a credited cutline.
• It’s okay to put our stories on pages with ads, but not ads specifically sold against our stories. You can’t state or imply that donations to your organization support Investigate Midwest’s work.
• You can’t sell our material separately or syndicate it.
• You can’t republish our material wholesale, or automatically; you need to select stories to be republished individually.
• You can’t use our work to populate a web site designed to improve rankings on search engines, or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
• You cannot use our work in digital and print publications such as books, ebooks,special editions, data applications and similar material without separate permission. Please contact executive director Erin Orr at  [email protected]

by John McCracken, Investigate Midwest, Investigate Midwest May 8, 2024

This <a target="_blank" href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/05/08/early-morning-calls-barren-chicken-barns-millions-in-debt/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://investigatemidwest.org">Investigate Midwest</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://investigatemidwest.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=745809&amp;ga4=G-R9VE8P61LG" style="width:1px;height:1px;">

John McCracken, Investigate Midwest Reporter

John McCracken covers the industrial agriculture meat industry for Investigate Midwest. He has experience reporting at the intersection of agriculture, environmental pollution and climate change. He... More by John McCracken, Investigate Midwest

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Chicago Region Food System Fund, Data-Driven Reporting Project, Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, Fund for Investigative Journalism, Gary Marx Journalism Fund, Arnold Ventures, Kirkpatrick Foundation, Lumpkin Family Foundation, Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, Builders Initiative