Chicken Farming In San Miguel: A Profitable Venture?

Raising chickens in San Miguel, Philippines, can be profitable due to the country's favourable conditions for poultry farming. The Philippines is the world's top poultry-producing country, and San Miguel Foods, the largest poultry company in the Philippines, has made significant investments in this sector. They have inaugurated the country's largest poultry processing facility, the Magnolia Poultry Farm, which will provide employment for 1000 people. The company plans to construct 12 mega-farms across the country, each with advanced technology for climate control, biosecurity, and air quality monitoring. In addition, poultry farming in the Philippines benefits from access to ample land and water resources, low initial investment and labour costs, and a steady market for chicken meat and eggs. However, local poultry farmers also face challenges, including competition from imports, price fluctuations, and changing consumer preferences. Overall, raising chickens in San Miguel, Philippines, can be profitable, but farmers must navigate these potential obstacles to ensure the success of their ventures.

Backyard chicken farming

Poultry farming is an essential part of the Philippine economy, and the Philippines is the world's top poultry-producing country. Backyard chicken farming has become a popular option for those who want to raise chickens without needing a large amount of space.

There are some key considerations for anyone looking to start backyard chicken farming. Firstly, you need access to ample land and water resources. Chickens need a high-quality diet that includes nutrients and proteins, so a reliable feed supply is essential. You will also need to invest in equipment, including incubators and hatcheries, and consider waste management facilities.

Disease management is also an important aspect of backyard chicken farming. Vaccinating your chickens against common diseases can protect their health, and it is vital to monitor for signs of illness. Maintaining good biosecurity on your farm is a key practice in disease management, including regularly disinfecting equipment and providing clean bedding.

Chicken feed costs

Complete feed can be purchased, but local prices can also be high. In 2020, the cost of a 30-day-old chick was Php. 38.00 per head. A Cobb 500 variety broiler bird will consume just over 5kg of feed in 6-7 weeks of rearing. This equates to a feed cost of Php. 130.00 per bird.

The average commercial broiler bird will be sold at around 2.9kg in weight. Organic chicken meat sells for around Php. 200 per kilogram. This means that the gross profit per bird is Php. 14.00, or around 7%.

For those raising hens for eggs, the gross profit per egg is Php. 0.99, or around 17%. The egg sales price minus the feed cost per egg is Php. 2.64.

In 2022, the Philippines' poultry industry was impacted by the rising cost of chicken feed. The war in Ukraine disrupted supplies, and producers in the Philippines had to compete with the rest of the world for chicken feed.

Chicken farm facilities

Housing and Space

Chicken housing can range from small coops and enclosures in backyard setups to large, climate-controlled poultry houses in commercial operations. The amount of space required depends on the number of chickens and the type of farming. For commercial poultry production in the Philippines, a minimum of 250 acres (100 hectares) is recommended, though larger areas can accommodate more chickens. In small-scale coops, existing buildings can often be adapted to house poultry.

Ventilation and Ammonia Monitoring

Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining comfortable, fresh air conditions and managing ammonia levels in chicken farms. Poultry farms should aim to keep ammonia levels below 25 ppm as recommended in poultry health guidelines. Inexpensive tools like pull tubes and colorimetric tubes can help monitor ammonia levels. Ventilation inlet openings and inlet air speed monitors are also important for ensuring adequate ventilation and fresh air circulation.

Water Systems

Chicken waterers come in various sizes, and some farmers prefer automatic systems that provide a constant flow of fresh water. Water systems are an essential component of chicken farm facilities, ensuring chickens have consistent access to water.

Egg Incubators

Large-scale facilities use egg incubators to produce chicks artificially. The success of artificial incubation depends on temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turning. Proper handling of eggs and optimum conditions in chicken houses are also critical for ensuring excellent egg quality.

Biosecurity and Air Quality

In large-scale commercial operations, biosecurity and air quality monitoring systems are often integrated to maintain the health and safety of the chickens and farmworkers. These systems help manage sanitation, odour, and pest control, creating a safe and efficient farming environment.

Chicken breed selection

When it comes to chicken breed selection in the Philippines, there are several options to consider. The most common chicken breeds in the country include Muscovy, White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, Golden Comet, red junglefowl, Araucanas, Plymouth Rock, Light Sussex, and Australorp chickens. Commercial growers often prefer heavier breeds, such as the Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock, and Black Australorp, as they lay more eggs and require less care than lighter breeds.

If you are interested in raising chickens primarily for meat production, consider breeds like the Cornish Cross or Sussex. The Ross broiler is one of the most well-known broiler breeds in the world and is known for its high breast yield and excellent meat production. The Cobb broiler is another popular option, especially in free-range settings. For those seeking quick harvests and profitability, the Arbor Acres broiler is a good choice due to its robust growth rate and excellent livability.

Backyard chicken farming has gained popularity in the Philippines as it is less expensive to set up and operate, and chickens can be kept in smaller spaces. The Rhode Island Red is a popular breed for backyard poultry farming due to its hardiness, adaptability to various climates, and excellent egg-laying abilities. Other breeds suitable for backyard farming include Plymouth Rock, Banaba Chicken, and Darag Native Chicken.

Native chicken breeds, such as Bisaya, Boholano, Camarines, and Zampen, are also worth considering. These chickens are excellent foragers and require minimal feed inputs when allowed to roam free. They can provide extra income and meat for families who may not be able to afford commercially processed chicken.

In summary, when selecting a chicken breed for your operation in San Miguel, Philippines, consider the climate, your purpose (egg-laying or meat production), the bird's temperament and care requirements, and the advantages of different breeds to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and resources.

Chicken farm profitability

Chicken farming is an essential part of the Philippine economy, with the country being the world's top poultry producer. There are several advantages to raising chickens in the Philippines, including access to ample land and water resources, low initial investment costs, and low labor costs.

Poultry farming in the Philippines can be lucrative, with a market demand for poultry meat and eggs. There are three main types of poultry farming in the Philippines: intensive commercial layer production, backyard chicken raising, and cage-free growing. In each type of farming, chickens are kept in large cages or barns with access to food and water, but without space to move around. Small-scale chicken farmers produce an average of 1.5 million birds per hectare, while large-scale producers average more than 500,000 birds per hectare.

Backyard chicken farming has become a popular option for those who want to raise chickens without dealing with the large space requirements of traditional poultry farms. It is less expensive to set up and operate, and chickens can be kept in smaller, easier-to-manage spaces.

The profitability of chicken farming in the Philippines depends on several factors, including feed costs, selling prices, and production efficiency. Feed contributes 60-70% of the cost of production. Leading poultry farming research suggests that the gross profit per bird can be as low as Php. 14.00 per bird (~7%).

There has been a recent surge in retail prices for chicken in the Philippines, with whole-dressed chickens ranging between Php 190 and Php 250 per kg. This surge in prices may be due to a projected shortage of chicken in the country, with production expected to fall short of consumption, requiring the import of chicken meat.

San Miguel Foods, the largest poultry company in the Philippines, has invested in state-of-the-art chicken farms to enhance production efficiency and ensure food security. Their Magnolia Poultry Farm in Hagonoy, Mindanao, is the first of 12 planned mega-farms with climate control, biosecurity, and air quality monitoring systems.

In conclusion, chicken farming in the Philippines can be profitable, but it depends on various factors, including feed costs, selling prices, production efficiency, and market demand. Small-scale and backyard chicken farming are popular options, but large-scale producers like San Miguel Foods dominate the market.

Frequently asked questions