Hello Homesteaders, it's great to be here, and it's nice to have such a community for sustainable agriculture and encourage people to do some homesteading.
Welcome to my homesteading journey! As a lover of farm life and sustainable living to, despite medical practice, I recently embarked on the exciting adventure of starting my own poultry farm. With 20 layer birds as my first flock, I have been eagerly learning the ropes so I can have a say when it comes to cage buying, feed buying, bird procurement, and their vaccinations. This all started after I saw a man encouraging people to go into Poultry and I also saw this Ugandan Dr who literally resigned Medicine for farming.
I felt really inspired and knew I would do this with some little resources and also some Hive. So somehow, I ll call this a hive Poultry project.
Here are a few steps I took in setting it up.
Cage Buying:
One of the first steps in setting up my poultry farm was finding the perfect cages for my feathered friends. After doing extensive research and visiting several local suppliers, I finally found the ideal cages that were spacious, sturdy, and provided ample ventilation for the birds. I made sure to choose cages that met the industry standards for layer birds, with enough nesting boxes and perches for their comfort. Setting up the cages was not so labor-intensive, but seeing the birds happily explore their new homes made it all worth it.
Feed Buying:
Next up was sourcing the right feed for my Birds. I carefully found some well experienced people to suggest a high-quality layer feed that contained all the essential nutrients and minerals for my birds' health and specifically egg production. I also made sure to provide them with fresh water at all times. It was fascinating to learn about the different types of feed and their nutritional requirements, and I have been closely monitoring their feeding habits to ensure they are getting the right nutrition.
Bird Procurement:
Selecting the right birds for my poultry farm was a crucial decision. I opted for 20 healthy and robust layer birds from a reputable local breeder. It was an exciting day when I brought them home and introduced them to their new cages. I observed their behavior, interactions, and personalities, and it has been a joy to watch them settle into their new environment. Building a bond with my birds has been a rewarding experience, especially when I come around to feed them, and I have been spending time with them every day, providing them with care and attention and also reminding my self that this is business.
Medications:
As a new poultry farmer and a Medical Dr too, I understand the importance of medications and vaccinations in keeping my birds healthy and preventing the spread of diseases. I have been working closely with a qualified veterinarian to develop a vaccination schedule for my flock. Although the anticipation for their vaccinations has been building up, I have been patiently waiting for the appropriate time when they reach the right age and weight for the vaccinations to be administered. It is a crucial step in ensuring the well-being of my birds, and I am committed to providing them with the best possible care.
My homesteading journey with my 20 layer birds has been a fulfilling experience so far. From setting up the cages and buying the right feed to carefully procuring healthy birds every step has been a learning opportunity. I have been enjoying the daily tasks of caring for my birds, observing their behaviors, and nurturing them to thrive in their new environment. With each passing day, I am filled with a sense of satisfaction and pride in my homesteading venture, and I look forward to the continued growth and success of my poultry farm. Here's to more adventures in sustainable living!
All Images taken by me using my Camon 15 Tecno Phone.
I welcome best of advice for a newbie farmer like me and any ideas to scaling this. I intend to also write more on poultry, documenting what I have learnt so far.