Poultry keeping on a small scale
By Gerry Bolla, Suzanne Robinson and George Arzey - This report looks into the advantages of keeping poultry for non-intensive farming, and offers advice on establishing a flock.
18 May 2003
2 minute read
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.
Source: NSW Agriculture - May 2003
