How To Start A Free-range Chicken Farm

REQUIREMENTS:

SITE SELECTION – Select a good site for the free-range chicken farm.
➢ Flat area or at least not so stiff /rough terrain.
➢ Shaded with trees.
➢ Grassy for forage purposes.
➢ Easy Water & Electricity source.
➢ Far from road with heavy traffic circulation.
➢ Easy access for caretaker.

RANGING AREA – Free-range chicken requires a ranging area.

➢ Minimum 1 square meter per bird (bigger is better).
➢ Fence with net or other fencing materials.
➢ Easy Water source distribution.
➢ Easy access for caretaker.
➢ Not treated with chemical fertilizers or any harmful chemical agents.

CHICKEN HOUSE – A chicken house is necessary for the free-range chickens.

➢ Minimum of 1 square foot per bird (bigger is better)
➢ With in-out opening for chicken access.
➢ Easy access for caretaker.
➢ Preferably elevated & well ventilated.

HERBAL MEDICINE GARDEN – Herbal medicines are use to prevent diseases and also serves as
natural flavouring.
➢ Chilli – use as antibacterial/antiviral
➢ Oregano – use for respiratory problems
➢ Garlic – as natural antibiotic
➢ Ginger – as natural antibiotic
➢ Guava – leaves are use as antibacterial
➢ Ipil-Ipil – leaves are use as de-wormer/anti parasitic
➢ Lemon Grass – as juice for detoxification
EQUIPMENTS/MATERIALS – The required equipments for free-range chicken farming are the
following:

1. BROODING FACILITY
At first 21 days of the birds’ life, they need brooding or artificial heating for the development of
their body to be ready for free-ranging life. There are different types of brooding facilities that
can be used to provide artificial heating for the young chicks.
a. Gas brooder = 1 for every 500 chicks; or
b. Improvised Charcoal brooder = 1 can for every 100 chicks; or
c. Incandescent bulb brooder = 1 set of 100watts for every 50 chicks

2. FEEDING MATERIALS – The chickens must be fed daily with a program or time schedule.
Among feeding materials that necessary for free-range chicken farming are the following:
a. FOR DAY OLD TO 21 DAYS OLD (BROODING STAGE)
• Chick Feeder Troughs (1-meter) = 1 for every 25 chicks; or
b. FOR RANGING STAGE TO HARVEST (22 DAYS ONWARDS)
• Bucket Feeder (8 kg capacity) = 1 for every 20 chickens
c.Plastic drum container = 50 kilos capacity for feeds storage

3. WATERER/DRINKING MATERIALS – Free-range chickens are also given drinking water, without
water they may suffer dehydration. Among drinking materials necessary to use are the
following:
a. FOR DAY OLD TO 21 DAYS OLD (BROODING STAGE)
• ½ Gallon container (2 liters) = 1 unit for 10 birds
b. FOR RANGING STAGE TO HARVEST (22 DAYS ONWARDS)
• 1 Gallon container (4 liters) = 1 unit for every 10 chickens
• Water drum (200 liters capacity) or Water line for distribution

4. CLEANING & DISINFECTION MATERIALS – Cleaning and disinfection of every area is important
to maintain the bio-security of the farm.
• Foot-bath – at least 4 inches deep to properly soak foot ware for disinfection
• Cleaning materials – Broom, Dust fan, Web broom, Pale, Brush
• Detergents & Disinfecting agents (ex. Powder soap & Chlorine)

5. BEDDING/LITTER – Beddings or litters are use inside the chicken house especially at brooding
stage to control and balance the chicken manure formation. Be sure to have fresh and clean
bedding/litter at all times. Bedding/Litter should also be disinfected prior to loading of your
free-range chicken. Among litters that can be use are:
a. Rice hull (preferably carbonized)
b. Rice Straw
c. Sawdust

6. SUPPLIES – It is very important that we know very well our suppliers for our farm needs. The
following are the supplies needed for your free-range chicken farming:
DAY OLD CHICKS – Day Old Chicks (DOC) from free-range breeders or hatcheries.
FEEDS – The feed formulation for free-range chicken requires at least 70% cereals, 26%
protein nutrient from plant base, and 4% vitamins and minerals. Although we can use
commercial feeds, until we could mix our own feeds, be sure to buy fresh and safe feeds
from your supplier. Supplement it with more grass and natural feeds from the ranging area.
WATER – Clean potable water supply is very important. Be sure to have a source of water
near or within your farm vicinity. Water is needed at all times.
VACCINES – Vaccination is allowed and required for free-range chicken. Vaccination may
vary due to weather condition, location and present disease/virus’ in your area. Seek your
municipal/provincial veterinary assistance for vaccination program adaptable to your area
and vaccine supplies.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINES – Aside from the herbal medicine garden and depending on the
stage or level of disease in your flock, a preventive medication can be use respectively to
the free-range chicken. A veterinary assistance is necessary for this matter. Don’t just buy
medicines and use in your flock without consulting your veterinarian. Preventive is always
better than cure.

7. MANPOWER – The most important key factor for free-range chicken farming is your
manpower or your poultry caretaker. A caretaker should at least attend a seminar to learn and
know the basic principles of free-range chicken farming. Every livestock farming’s success
depends on the caretaker too. He/she should be dedicated and interested in what they do, if
not, they will never learn.
CHICKEN HOUSE – A chicken house is necessary for the free-range chickens.
➢ Minimum of 1 square foot per bird (bigger is better)
➢ With in-out opening for chicken access.
➢ Easy access for caretaker.
➢ Well ventilated.
BELOW IS THE PROPOSED STRUCTURE OF THE CHICKEN HOUSE. SHELTER FOR 100 BIRDS

40’
40’

MATERIALS:
LUMBERS; 4X4X8
3x3x
30 2X2X10
CORRUGATED SHEET 68 12’
CHICKEN MESH 60FT GALVANIZED CHICKEN WIRE (1”HOLES)
BAMBOOS
COMMON NAILS, UMBRELLA NAILS, HINGGES
FEEDING MATERIALS – The chickens must be fed daily with a program or time schedule. Among
feeding materials that necessary for free-range chicken farming are the following:

a. FOR DAY OLD TO 21 DAYS OLD (BROODING STAGE)

• Chick Feeder Troughs (1-meter) = 1 for every 25 chicks; or
P75.OO EACH

b. FOR RANGING STAGE TO HARVEST (22 DAYS ONWARDS)

• Bucket Feeder (8 kg capacity) = 1 for every 20 chickens
P280 EACH
WATERER/DRINKING MATERIALS – Free-range chickens are also given drinking water, without
water they may suffer dehydration. Among drinking materials necessary to use are the
following:

a. FOR DAY OLD TO 21 DAYS OLD (BROODING STAGE)

• ½ Gallon container (2 liters) = 1 unit for 10 birds
P25 EACH

b. FOR RANGING STAGE TO LAYING (22 DAYS ONWARDS)

• 1 Gallon container (4 liters) = 1 unit for every 10 chickens
P50 EACH
BROODING FACILITY
At first 21 days of the birds’ life, they need brooding or artificial heating for the development of
their body to be ready for free-ranging life. There are different types of brooding facilities that
can be use to provide artificial heating for the young chicks.
Incandescent bulb brooder = 1 set of 100watts for every 50 chicks
P200 per set of two bulbs

SAMPLE PHOTO OF 1OO-CHICK BROODING BOX WITH TWO SETS OF INCANDESCENT BULBS AS
ARTIFICIAL HEATER.

DAY OLD CHICKS – Day Old Chicks (DOC) from free-range breed.
P78 per chick
RANGING AREA – Free-range chicken requires a ranging area.
➢ Minimum 1 square meter per bird (bigger is better).
➢ Fence with net or other fencing materials.
➢ Easy Water source distribution.
➢ Easy access for caretaker.
➢ Not treated with chemical fertilizers or any harmful chemical agents.
TOP BREEDS OF CHICKEN COMMONLY USED AS FLOCKS

BREED: RHODE ISLAND REDS

ORIGIN: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

PURPOSE: MEAT & EGGS

ACTIVITY: 6 EGGS PER WEEK OR UP TO 320 EGGS ON THE FIRST

LAYING SEASON (1 YEAR); 200 ON THE SECOND SEASON

EGG COLOR: BROWN

BREED: LIGHT SUSSEX

ORIGIN: UNITED KINGDOM

PURPOSE: MEAT & EGGS

ACTIVITY: 5 EGGS PER WEEK OR UP TO 300 EGGS ON THE FIRST

LAYING SEASON (1 YEAR); 180 ON THE SECOND SEASON

EGG COLOR: LIGHT BROWN

BREED: YELLOW LEGHORNS

ORIGIN: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

PURPOSE: MEAT & EGGS

ACTIVITY: 6 EGGS PER WEEK OR UP TO 320 EGGS ON THE FIRST

LAYING SEASON (1 YEAR); 200 ON THE SECOND SEASON

EGG COLOR: WHITE

 BREED: PLYMOUTH BARRED ROCK

ORIGIN: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

PURPOSE: MEAT & EGGS

ACTIVITY: 5 EGGS PER WEEK OR UP TO 300 EGGS ON THE FIRST

LAYING SEASON (1 YEAR); 150 ON THE SECOND SEASON

EGG COLOR: BROWN

BREED: BLACK AUSTRALORPS

ORIGIN: AUSTRALIA

PURPOSE: MEAT & EGGS

ACTIVITY: 6 EGGS PER WEEK OR UP TO 320 EGGS ON THE FIRST

LAYING SEASON (1 YEAR); 200 ON THE SECOND SEASON

EGG COLOR: DARK BROWN

SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Herrera, Zambowood

Monthly rental = P1,000 (water and power)

CHICKEN HOUSES
Ranging Area A

Ranging Area B

Ranging Area C

House Granary
Ranging Area D Warehouse
Botanical Garden

Egg Storage
Facilities
Ranging Area E

Brooding Facilities

Pond A Pond B Pond C

500 birds

Chicks will spend their developing stage in the brooding facilities. Day 1 to 4 weeks is the crucial stage of
chicks’ developments. Particularly in building up their muscles and immunity as they prepare for the
outdoors.

1 bird will approx. consume up to 40 grams of feeds per day.

1 bird x 40g x 30 days x 500 = 600,000g or 600 kilos feeds

0.1 week: 20-25g per day

1-2 weeks: 25-30g per day

2-4 weeks: 30-35g per day

4 weeks onwards average of 40g per day

*Allocated budget for feeds is P16,500 monthly

P16,500 x 12 months = P198,000 on the first year of operation.

Hens will start laying eggs as early as 6 months. For 700 heads laying hens, approx. 600 or more eggs will
be collected daily. Egg will be sold at P110 per dozen or P275 per tray (30 eggs).

600 eggs / 12 = 50 dozens

50 dozen x P110 = P5,500

P5,500 x 30 days = P165,000

P165,000 x 12 = P1,980,000 (year)

*P1,980,000 gross income on the first year of laying.

The below computation is only based on the projected increase of 4.7% demand per annum.

P175,000 x 12 = P 2,100,000 for year 2021

P 185,000 x 12 = P 2,2200,000 for year 2022

P 195,000 x 12 = P 2,340,000 for year 2023

The sales strategy is by leveraging or distribution method.

10% off - Resellers has the privilege to purchase wholesale price at P100 per dozen or P250 per tray of
3O eggs.

Market Price

Suggested Retail Price of Organic Eggs is P15/egg or 450/tray. Or P180 – P200 per dozen.

Projected Costing:
Chicken House = P20,000.00 x 5 = P100,000.00

Chicks = 500 x P50.00 = P25,000.00

Feeding Trays:

For Chicks = 20 x P75.00 = P1,500.00

Bucket Feeder = 25 x P280.00 = P7,000.00

Gallon Container = 50 x P50.00 = P2, 500.00

Bulb (1oo watts) = 10 x P100 = P 1,000.00

Ranging Net = 5 x P3,000.00 = P15,000.00

Coco Lumber =

Summary of Expenses

Item Price per Unit Quantity Total (PHP)

(PHP)
Chicken House 20,000 5 100,000.00
Chicks 70.00 500 35,000
Feeding Tray – for chicks 75.00 20 1,500
Bucket Feeder 280.00 25 7,000
Gallon Container 50.00 50 2,500
Bulb (100 watts) 100 10 1,000
Ranging Net 3,000 5 15,000
Bamboo 30 100 3,000
Brooding Boxes 500 10 5,000
TOTAL 170,000.00
Operating Expenses
First 6 months
Feeds 1,350/(50kg) 40 54,000
Farm Rentals 1,000/mo. 6 4,000
*Feeding guide is shown above

*Farm Rentals – water and electricity inclusive

This proposal has already passed the experimental stage. Due to high demand of organic eggs, we
cannot accommodate all our customers, hence we diverted them to different suppliers. What we are
seeking is additional capital/ fund to support our expansion and mission to cater other areas of NCR,
MIMAROPA, CALABARZON and Mindanao.