Benefits of keeping poultry

Eggs are a high protein, nutritious food with very little waste. When properly managed 10 hens may produce:

2000 eggs/year = 40 eggs /week = 2kg of eggs

at a cost of less than $2/dozen or $3/kg. As a bonus, they generate more than 100kg per year of good quality organic fertiliser. Other advantages include:

• the satisfaction of producing something for yourself,
• independence/self sufficiency,
• fresh eggs every day,
• recycling of household scraps – poultry are good scavengers,
• poultry can enrich your life with their beauty and behaviour,
• children enjoy observing and feeding hens and collecting eggs.

Flock Establishment

There are two alternatives for flock establishment. You can either rear day-old chickens or buy started pullets.

Rearing day-old chickens
You can buy day-old chicks to rear, or breed your own chickens. If you buy, the chicks must be vaccinated against Mareks disease. While breeding may may appear cheaper it involves:

• one rooster to 8-10 hens,
• crossbreds are best for egg or meat,
• purebreds are best for beauty and exhibition.