This is a guide on how to start an egg farming business in South Africa.
Egg farming can be very lucrative and profitable, it’s one of the quickest ways to make money in the farming field and it has very high returns. Chickens are different, there are chickens that are raised for their meat, these are known as broilers and there are chickens that are raised specifically for eggs, known as layers.
Here is what you will need to start an egg farming business in South Africa.
1. Operating premises
Chickens are either raised indoors or outdoors. Raising chickens indoors on a controlled environment is known as intensive farming. Letting chickens roam freely on a fenced yard is known as free range farming.
You need to do intensive farming if you want to maximize production while minimizing costs. Chickens are kept at high stocking densities in confined spaces at a large scale. Modern machinery and technology is used to control the conditions of the environment like the climate where these birds are kept.
Costs of setting up operating premises are not that high, you might pay a lot to get land, unless you use your own yard or get and in rural villages. All you need is to build a structure that will house the chickens, you may spend R20 000 building this structure. Additional costs will be setting up the environment so that it is good enough for chickens. This includes installing heaters and air conditioning systems.
2. Machinery and Equipment
You don’t need a lot of machinery and equipment but if you plan on producing commercially then you must have equipment to meet the demands of running a commercial chicken farm.
- Feeder.
- Water Pot.
- Heater.
- Fencing.
- Proper flooring.
- Egg handling nest.
- Incubator.
3. Registration
You need to register your egg farming business with the CIPC. This is not expensive, it only costs R175. It’s recommended that you register your business as a private company.
Growth period
Hens (layers) begin laying eggs between 16 – 21 weeks and some breeds of hens can lay up to 300 eggs in a year. production may decline after 25 weeks of age.
Feed
Chickens are omnivores and will eat just about anything, however, low quality feed leads to slower growth, low egg production and it leaves your hens vulnerable to diseases. High quality feed should include corn, soybean (high protein), omena and additional vitamins and minerals to meet the nutritional requirements for the chickens.
Antibiotics
Hens on antibiotics grow 50% faster and lay more eggs, they’re also healthier, have low mortality rates and are less susceptible to illness. Don’t use any growth hormones or steroids at any point.
Selling
Farming chicken eggs is nice but how are you going to sell them? You will have to first package them into egg trays. Doing some branding like including your logo could be very beneficial to you.
Approach grocery stores like Spar and Pick N Pay and try to sell them your eggs. This might be a very daunting task and you might not be successful; the alternative is to sell your eggs to local spaza shops. Local spaza shops are not likely to refuse buying and selling your eggs. You might make it a win-win and give them at a discounted price.
Conclusion
This was a guide on how to start an egg farming business in South Africa. Do you have any thoughts or questions? Comment below.
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Sophie
15 Apr 2021Thanks a lot, this was very informative, really appreciate you sharing all this knowledge on your website
sibabalwe
18 Apr 2021Thank you so much, I am glad you found it helpful 🙂
MJ Sekgalo
23 May 2021Thanks for the information, tis much appreciated. Where can one start here in Gauteng, where can one get the necessary tools and equipments and relevant training. I need to start ASAP
Janet S
24 Aug 2021Thank you so much your information is very helpful, appreciated.
Dumisani
20 Sep 2021Much appreciated very helpful information
sibabalwe
20 Sep 2021Thank you so much Dumisani 🙂
Charmaine
15 Feb 2022Hi, pls assist me with a business plan