This document provides an introduction and overview of a manual on keeping and selling village chickens for profit. It discusses the opportunity for small-scale village chicken production in Zambia, as demand is growing but supply remains low. It outlines the contents that will be covered in the manual, including how to get started, housing, management, health, nutrition, making money, marketing, and evaluating your business. The manual is intended to provide simple, easy to understand guidance for small-scale producers on rearing village chickens in a profitable way. It was created with input from industry and academic experts to be detailed yet accessible to those without extensive experience or education.

2. How to KEEP VILLAGE CHICKENS FOR BUSINESS
An Easy-to-use Manual on Keeping & Selling Village
Chickens at a Profit
BCA Services
© 2014

3. All Rights Reserved. No excerpts of this material may be reproduced without
prior written approval from the publishers.
Some material in this manual is an adaptation of the Small-scale Poultry
Production Audio Recordings for East Africa and the CTA Training Audio
Programmes.
ISBN: 978 9982 70 062 7 (Print)
© BCA 2014

4. i
FOREWORD
BCA was established and incorporated in 2012 as a consulting firm whose
focus was and still remains, the spearheading of cost effective innovation for
business development and growth.
BCA Services comprises a team with expertise in agriculture, business, and
IT. Our Ethos is this, innovation adapted to our local business environment!
We offer services ranging from agricultural consultancy, business services &
consulting, research services, and innovative, cost effective IT solutions. We
aim for excellence in all our work.
Following an unserved market’s demand for simple, layman manuals on
village chicken production, we set out to produce this simple and easy to
use manual. This manual has been a combined effort of both industry and
academic expertise in chicken rearing and the business side of production.
It is our hope that you will find this manual different in a forward and good
way, we also hope to hear from you to help us improve on our future work
by letting us know your thoughts, comments, and suggestions. Please take
the time to join us on our online discussion forum specifically for this
manual by following the link provided below;
http://ow.ly/xxAmh
You can also email us your questions or comments on the email address
provided.
Thank you.
© 2014 BCA.
faq@consultbca.com
www.consultbca.com

5. ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD.................................................................................................i
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................1
1.0 Background .......................................................................................1
1.1 The Opportunity ................................................................................2
1.2 Need for a manual on small-scale “village” chicken rearing.................2
CHAPTER TWO: WHY VILLAGE CHICKENS.................................................4
2.0 Introduction.......................................................................................4
2.1 Life Cycle in Village Chickens.............................................................6
CHAPTER THREE: GETTING STARTED.......................................................7
3.0 Introduction.......................................................................................7
3.1 How to use this Manual .......................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.2 Housing and Equipment ......................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3 Management and Health ......................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.4 Nutritional Management ......................Error! Bookmark not defined.
CHAPTER FOUR: MAKING MONEY ...............Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.0 Introduction.........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1 Targets.................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.2 Management and Records ....................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.3 Marketing ............................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter Five: Other Information....................Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.0 Introduction.........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.1 Estimated Manure output ....................Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.2 Estimated Supplementary feed Needs...Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.3 Evaluating your Village Chicken Enterprise........Error! Bookmark not
defined.
Glossary .......................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

6. iii
List of Some Figures & Tables
Comparison of village and broiler chickens..................................................5
Life Cycle of a Typical Village Chicken ...........Error! Bookmark not defined.
Example of a basket provided for a brooding hen.........Error! Bookmark not
defined.
Example of a Simple Rural Chicken House....Error! Bookmark not defined.
Example of a Simple Income Statement.........Error! Bookmark not defined.

7. 1
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background
Poultry Farming can be defined as raising (keeping) chickens, ducks, or
other fowl (birds) for meat, eggs, or both. This is usually done for profit
making purposes and may also be done for only family feeding purposes. It
was one of the first types of agriculture to develop in Zambia starting from
the Copperbelt Province in the early 1950s. Today, poultry production has
grown in Zambia with a good number of both small scale producers and
commercial (large) scale producers producing chickens for the Zambian
market. However, the demand for chicken continues to grow and supply of
chickens is still not big enough to meet the demand for chickens in Zambia.
This therefore presents an opportunity for both small and large scale poultry
rearing; anyone who would want to venture into poultry farming at any level
would be able to make some good money from this venture as a business
opportunity. As a start, anyone wanting to take up one form of poultry
farming may need to start at small-scale poultry rearing first and then grow
as they gain the practical experience of the business.
Generally speaking small-scale poultry rearing can be divided into two main
types. Firstly, there is the more intensive production of either broiler
chickens (for meat production) or layers (for egg production). Chickens are
kept in specially built housing and provided with feed, vaccines (medicines),
and water in a well-planned pattern. The second type is the ‘village chickens’
which are usually free range birds which scavenge (search) for food during
the day, and are usually housed (locked up) at night. There are also semi-
intensive systems which combine both feeding and scavenging within an
enclosure for village chickens therefore increasing production costs slightly
but at the same time greatly reducing death rates and increasing size and
growth rates for the village chickens.

8. 2
1.1 The Opportunity
In Zambia, village chicken demand has been growing steadily over the years
and continues to grow; this against a few number of producers producing at
an intensive level to meet this demand. Many small scale producers are yet
to see the real opportunity that lies with village chickens as yet in Zambia.
This is quickly changing and thus as with every opportunity the early birds
get the worm! In this case, the great potential earnings from this business
model.
There is a great potential for generating income from village chickens in
Zambia. A few examples of potential markets for the small scale producer of
village chickens include individual buyers (e.g. neighbours, friends, etc.),
restaurants of all sorts (try targeting the high-class restaurants if you are
sure to meet supply with them), smaller supermarkets (e.g. Melisa
Supermarket, etc.), market stores, special market events (e.g. Tuesday
Markets, Sunday Markets, Pakati Market at Arcades Shopping Mall in
Lusaka, etc.), and special event organisers such as amatebeto, weddings,
etc. the market is vast and the most important factor that will determine
your success as a small-scale producer will be how you market your
product. This factor includes how you present (packaging) the product and
how you advertise you product. Remember, you will only gain customers if
you create a good reputation (name) for yourself. If you do it right the first
time, your reputation will do the marketing for you.
1.2 Need for a manual on small-scale “village” chicken rearing
There has been a growing attention and interest in using agriculture and
entrepreneurship as a tool in poverty alleviation in Zambia. Village chicken
remains one area yet to be exploited in the country. Despite all this, the
potential that village chicken rearing presents is unquestionably good in
terms of potential money making from the business. Sadly, the existing
books and manuals have either being giving advice on larger scale
production of broiler chickens or are too detailed and confusing for the

9. 3
common man, one does not need a degree in English or Science to start
rearing village chickens for business?
This manual sets out to help you with easy-to-follow guidelines for rearing
village chickens for profit making and how you can market and sale your
products to customers in Zambia in unique ways guaranteed to set you
apart. The language used is deliberately simple everyday language mixed
with some explained technical jargon (language) were needed. Our goal is to
ensure everyone who reads this manual finds it detailed but simple to
understand and apply in real life. The manual has been prepared with the
input from industry experts as well as individuals who have the real-life
practical experience to enrich the manual with real life knowledge.
It is our hope that this manual adds real ‘money’ value to your business
goals.

10. 4
CHAPTER TWO: WHY VILLAGE CHICKENS
2.0 Introduction
Chickens are kept differently, from the free-range or scavenging (freely self-
feeding) chickens to birds confined (locked up) in pens/cages for their entire
lives.
Back yard chicken keepers have flocks (group of chickens) made up of
chickens of various ages of both sexes. The flock is generally allowed to feed
freely (or scavenge), and fed some left-overs from the family meals. This is
very different from the commercial chicken production (broilers) which
requires far greater management of the chickens and costs more by far.
Village chicken production differs from broiler chicken production not only
in terms of inputs and productivity but also in the occurrence of diseases.
Some general observations have been obtained from various research done
throughout Africa relating to village chickens production systems. Generally,
it has been found that;
 Local chickens are dominant and more adaptable. Making them a
good investment choice.
 Village chicken producers usually lack proper help in controlling for
diseases and predators (animals that may eat the village chickens). If
they had this, it would lead to reduced chicken deaths and improved
growth of birds.
 Control of diseases could be done through improvement in veterinary
and agricultural advisory services.
 The problem of predators could be reduced by teaching farmers to
build housing for the chickens.
 Most village chicken production systems in villages are managed by
women so providing of trainings on modern chicken practices to
women would be essential in improving chicken production.

11. 5
 Providing credit facilities to village chicken owners and linking the
production with marketing will encourage village chicken owners and
contribute to the improvement of the sector.
Comparison of village and broiler chickens
Factor Village chickens Broiler chickens
Labour inputs Minimal Considerable
Housing Needs Trees; chicken houses
of local material;
inexpensive
Chicken unit using
conventional materials;
expensive
Nutrition (Feeding)
Needs
Scavenging feed
resource base, leftover
food, cereals, no
supplements;
inexpensive
Balanced commercial
ration; expensive
Water Intake Needs Well water, used water,
natural sources
Clean water supply
essential
Production and
Numbers
Low; could improve with
better nutrition, disease
control and general
management
High; but requires a
high level of inputs
Meat quality Little fat; pleasant
flavour; tougher texture
Broilers have more fat;
less flavour; softer
texture
Strength Good: good flight skills,
more likely to escape
predators, can scavenge
for own feed
Limited: poor flight
skills, easily caught by
predators, less skilled
at scavenging
Reproduction Good hatching and
mothering ability; hens
lay, brood, hatch and
look after young
Poor hatching and
mothering ability;
commercial breed hens
often do not go broody;
new birds are bought to
replace old birds
Veterinary (Medical)
inputs
Very limited; Newcastle
disease vaccination
Control of many viral,
bacterial and parasitic
diseases essential for
efficient production

12. 6
2.1 Life Cycle in Village Chickens
 Hens start laying when 24–30 weeks’ old (Figure 1). At any given time,
only about half the hens are ok and some 8–10% are bad.
 Egg weight averages 40 g (range 27–65 g).
 Most village chickens produce 2–4 clutches (a number of eggs) per
year, although some may produce 5–6 clutches. There are about 10
eggs per clutch, with a range of between 5 and 20.
 About 70–90% of the eggs will give chicks (hatch) (*this changes with
the season).
 Typically, about 8 chicks per clutch will hatch, with a range of
between 4 and 15.
 Only 20–50% of chicks hatched will usually reach adulthood.
Approximately 85% of these losses occur in the first 3 weeks of life.
Adult mortality is usually very variable and depends on specific local
conditions and the occurrence of diseases.
 Both sexes have a body weight of about 0.5 kg at 10–12 weeks
(although males are slightly heavier). Adult hens weigh between 1.0
and 1.5 kg, while roosters weigh between 1.3 and 2.5 kg.

13. 7
CHAPTER THREE: GETTING STARTED
3.0 Introduction
Before you start a new village chicken production unit from start, you will
need sufficient planning and budgeting ahead of you implementing (doing)
your village chicken business.
Unlike broiler hybrids (usually just-for-meat chickens) and layer chickens
(usually kept for egg-laying), village chickens (Scientific name: Gallus gallus
domesticus) need time to mature and grow into a market-read size. This
growth time is most times seen by potential produces to be a hindrance,
however, this time frame can be taken into account through the difference in
price between village chicken and broilers. On average, village chickens are
relatively more expensive when compared to broilers. This can be used as an
advantage by proper planning and marketing. This is what this manual
covers and this is what makes this manual particularly different from other
manuals on the market. You will not only get detailed production techniques
but get detailed marketing ideas for your production plan as well all in one
manual made as easy as possible to avoid unnecessary jargon used in some
training manuals.
To download the eBook ONLY Manual, use the link below;
http://ow.ly/d/2enB
To make payments for the eBook ONLY Manual, contact
accounts@consultbca.com; and to order your Hard Copy
Book contact info@consultbca.com

14. How to KEEP VILLAGE CHICKENS FOR BUSINESS
An Easy-to-use Manual on Keeping & Selling Village
Chickens at a Profit
BCA Services
+260 977 308 471
+260 955 308 471
info@consultbca.com
www.consultbca.com