Mia Patel
Chicken farming in Sri Lanka has become an increasingly lucrative sector, with chicken being the cheapest source of animal protein and the per capita availability of chicken increasing from 5kg in 2011 to 10kg in 2018. However, there are a number of factors to consider when starting a chicken farm in Sri Lanka, such as the high cost and limited availability of land, the need for proper biosecurity measures, and the importance of providing the right feed and equipment for chickens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land | Limited by geography and expensive |
| Poultry Farming | Backyard poultry, free-range chickens, and commercial poultry |
| Commercial Poultry Farming | High density, increased disease risk |
| Backyard Poultry Farming | Government-supported, poor biosecurity, disease protection measures |
| Poultry Pathogens | Newcastle disease virus, infectious bursal disease virus |
| Zoonotic Pathogens | Surveillance, monitoring, regulatory measures required |
| Antibiotic Growth Promoters | Banned by the government |
| Chicken Feed | High protein ratio, vitamins A, B2, B12 |
| Broiler Chicken | Special species, more meat in a shorter time |
| Broiler Chicken Species | Cornish |
| Broiler Chicken Equipment | Heat source, electric and gas brooder, chicken feeders, glass jar waterers, litter and bedding |
| Broiler Chicken Temperature | Should be checked two days before bringing chicks to the farm |
| Broiler Chicken Market | Fast-growing, increasing demand |
| Leading Broiler Chicken Producers | CRYSBRO, CIC Poultry Farms |
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What You'll Learn
- Broiler chicken farming is a challenge in Sri Lanka, but with the right process, equipment and management, it can be profitable
- Chicken feed is the most important factor in broiler rearing. Broilers require a high ratio of protein and vitamins
- Chicken farming equipment includes a heat source, feeders, waterers, and litter and bedding
- Chicken farmers should monitor and control the temperature of the broiler house
- Backyard poultry and free-range chickens in villages are reared, with government programmes supporting these activities in low-income communities
Broiler chicken farming is a challenge in Sri Lanka, but with the right process, equipment and management, it can be profitable
Broiler chicken farming in Sri Lanka comes with a unique set of challenges. The country's geography limits the availability of land for livestock and agriculture, which can be expensive. This has led to an increase in the density of commercial poultry, bringing with it a higher risk of disease. Additionally, backyard poultry and free-range chickens in villages, supported by government programmes, often lack proper biosecurity and disease protection measures, becoming reservoirs of poultry pathogens.
However, with the right approach, broiler chicken farming can be profitable. Here are some key considerations:
Process and Management
To ensure the success of your broiler chicken farm, it is essential to implement efficient processes and effective management practices. This includes maintaining proper biosecurity and disease prevention measures to protect your flock from poultry pathogens. The Sri Lankan government provides free locally produced vaccines for Newcastle disease, distributed by government veterinary surgeons, which can help immunise your chickens against this common disease. Additionally, ongoing surveillance and monitoring of zoonotic and infectious diseases are crucial to prevent outbreaks.
Equipment
Having the right equipment is vital for smooth operations and easy management of your broiler chickens. Ensure that you have a suitable heat source, such as an electric or gas brooder, and provide the appropriate feeders and waterers for the chicks' age and size. Maintain optimal temperature conditions, especially during the first few days after bringing the chicks to the farm. Use clean and dry litter and bedding materials such as sawdust, wood shavings, straw, or shredded paper.
Feed
Providing proper and quality feed is one of the most critical factors in broiler rearing. Broilers require a feed high in protein and vitamins like A, B2, and B12 to grow well and stay healthy. Ensure that feed and water are consistently available 24/7 in the chicken house, and consider using a hightop broiler cage for efficient feeding. During low temperatures, provide warm water to the broilers.
Disease Control
To prevent the spread of diseases, it is essential to maintain good disinfection practices and provide proper immunisations. The presence of different age groups of broilers on the same farm, as is common in some rearing systems, can make disease control more challenging. Consider batch rearing, where day-old hybrid broiler chicks are received and sold in one batch, to simplify disease management and improve biosecurity.
By addressing these key areas, you can establish a successful and profitable broiler chicken farm in Sri Lanka, contributing to the growing demand for broiler meat in the country.
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Chicken feed is the most important factor in broiler rearing. Broilers require a high ratio of protein and vitamins
Chicken farming in Sri Lanka has become an increasingly popular business, with the per capita availability of chicken meat increasing from 6.8kg in 2012 to 10kg in 2018. Broiler chickens, a special species of poultry, are in high demand in Sri Lanka due to their ability to produce more meat in a short period of time, typically reaching 6 pounds in weight within 6-9 weeks.
Starting a broiler chicken farm in Sri Lanka requires the right process, equipment, and management to be successful. One of the most critical aspects of broiler rearing is chicken feed, as it directly impacts the growth and quality of the meat produced. Broilers require a feed that is high in protein and includes essential vitamins such as A, B2, and B12. It is important to ensure that feed and water are consistently available to the broilers to support their rapid growth and health.
To optimize the feeding process, it is recommended to use appropriate feeders and waterers for the broilers' age and size. Initially, chicks should be fed generously before transitioning to restricted feeding, with consistent feeding times thereafter. Proper litter and bedding, such as dry and clean sawdust, wood shavings, straw, or shredded paper, are also essential for maintaining hygiene and comfort.
In addition to nutrition, broilers require optimal environmental conditions, particularly temperature control. Before bringing the chicks to the farm, the temperature of the broiler house should be checked, with a recommended initial temperature of around 35°C, gradually decreasing by 28°C each week. Vaccination is another crucial aspect of broiler rearing, helping to prevent common diseases and ensure the health of the flock.
By prioritizing proper feeding practices, environmental conditions, and disease prevention through vaccination, farmers can successfully raise healthy broilers and meet the growing demand for chicken meat in Sri Lanka.
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Chicken farming equipment includes a heat source, feeders, waterers, and litter and bedding
Chicken farming in Sri Lanka has seen an increase in production, with per capita availability of chicken meat rising over the years. However, it is important to note that land for livestock and agriculture is limited by geography and expensive in the country. This has led to an increase in the density of commercial poultry, which may pose disease risks. To start a chicken farm in Sri Lanka, you will need certain equipment, including a heat source, feeders, waterers, and appropriate litter and bedding.
Let's start with the heat source. Poultry farming requires a significant amount of energy to maintain a suitable indoor environment for chicken health and production. There are various heating systems available, including renewable and sustainable options. For example, you could consider a flat plate heating system, which is commonly used in poultry houses to maintain a brooding temperature between 30°C and 35°C. This system has an efficiency of 40-60% in converting radiation into usable heat. Additionally, you could explore other sustainable options like photovoltaic, solar collectors, hybrid PV/Thermal, thermal energy storage, and ground/water/air source heat pumps.
Feeding and watering your chickens are essential for their health and growth. You can find top-quality poultry feeders and waterers at suppliers like RentACoop, ensuring your flock stays well-fed and hydrated.
Now, let's talk about litter and bedding. It's important to choose the right type of bedding to ensure the comfort and health of your chickens. Avoid using cedar shavings as the aromatic oils can irritate their lungs and lead to respiratory problems. Sand is recommended by many, but it can be costly and heavy to work with. If you do choose sand, opt for mortar sand as it is less dusty and won't irritate your chickens' lungs. Remember to change the bedding frequently, especially in the brooder, where even baby chicks create a significant amount of mess. Avoid using newspaper, as it is not absorbent, and can lead to leg deformities. Paper towels are an option, but they are more expensive, time-consuming, and prone to mould. Pine shavings are a popular choice as they are absorbent, cost-effective, and reduce the risk of mould.
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Chicken farmers should monitor and control the temperature of the broiler house
Chicken farming in Sri Lanka can be challenging, but with the right processes, equipment, and management, farmers can make substantial returns in a short period. One of the most important factors in rearing broiler chickens is maintaining the optimal temperature in the broiler house.
The ideal temperature for broiler chickens depends on their age. Newly hatched chicks require a higher ambient temperature than adult chickens. The body temperature of birds is usually between 41°C and 42.2°C, and it is regulated by the hypophyse, a part of the chicken brain that functions like a thermostat. The comfort zone is the temperature zone in which the birds can maintain their body temperature with minimal effort.
To maintain the ideal temperature in the broiler house, chicken farmers should use a combination of heating systems and the birds' own heat. Ventilation systems should create a negative pressure of 20 to 30 Pa to convert cold, fresh air into warm, comfortable air. Heat can be generated through forced air heaters, hot-water convection heaters, or floor heating systems. It is recommended to use a 250-watt heat lamp for 50 chicks.
In addition to temperature control, relative humidity plays a crucial role in heat loss for broiler chickens. As birds breathe, they lose heat through the evaporation of moisture from their respiratory systems. Lower humidity leads to greater moisture evaporation and heat loss, making the birds feel cooler. Therefore, chicken farmers should monitor and adjust both temperature and humidity levels in the broiler house to ensure the comfort and well-being of their flock.
By investing in suitable equipment and adopting best practices, chicken farmers in Sri Lanka can successfully manage the temperature and climate in their broiler houses, contributing to the health and productivity of their chickens.
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Backyard poultry and free-range chickens in villages are reared, with government programmes supporting these activities in low-income communities
Backyard poultry and free-range chickens in villages are reared in Sri Lanka, with government programmes supporting these activities in low-income communities. The country's chicken population was 35 million in 2021, up from 32 million in 2020, and egg production was 3 billion in 2021, up from 2.5 billion in 2020. Chicken meat production increased by nearly 10% from 2020 to 2021, and the average availability of chicken per person doubled in the seven years leading up to 2018. Backyard poultry production contributes approximately 15% to egg production and a very low percentage to meat production.
Poultry is one of the fastest-growing livestock sub-sectors in Sri Lanka, with a combination of backyard and commercial systems alleviating poverty by creating direct and indirect income. Backyard poultry is mainly for egg production and fulfilling the family's meat requirements. The Sri Lankan government has recognised the importance of poultry meat as a source of protein in the country, declaring it an essential food item in 2007. Backyard poultry and free-range chickens in villages are reared due to limited and expensive land for livestock and agriculture.
The government supports low-income communities by providing free vaccines for Newcastle disease, distributed by government veterinary surgeons to immunise backyard poultry and small-scale farms. This is important as poor biosecurity and disease protection measures in backyard and village chicken populations can harbour poultry pathogens. The government has also banned the importation and usage of antibiotic growth promoters for livestock production.
Starting a chicken farm in Sri Lanka requires the right process, equipment, and management. Broiler chicken farming, a popular method, involves rearing chickens that produce more meat in a short period, typically around 6-9 weeks. Proper chicken feed is essential, with broilers requiring a high ratio of proteins and vitamins like A, B2, and B12. Chicks need a heat source, such as an electric or gas brooder, and small feeders and waterers that can be adjusted as they grow.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken farming in Sri Lanka can be challenging, but with the right process, equipment and management, it can be very profitable. Broiler chicken farming is a fast-growing business in Sri Lanka, with demand for broiler meat increasing. Broilers are a special species of poultry, scientifically made to produce more meat in a very short period of time (around 6-9 weeks).
You will need a heat source, such as an electric or gas brooder, and a lamp. You will also need chicken feeders and waterers of varying sizes as the chickens grow, and litter and bedding such as dry and clean sawdust, wood shaving, straw, and shredded paper.
Chicken feed is the most important factor in broiler rearing. Broilers require a high ratio of proteins and vitamins (such as A, B2, and B12) in their feed to grow well. You should also ensure that water is available 24/7 in the chicken house, and that the water is warm during low temperatures.
