Bird Selection

Typically there are several suppliers for the day-old chicks, and several breeds of chicken are available. Doug Grieve at Hy-Line is an expert on international sourcing and can advise which breed and supply would be best for a given area.

Feed Supply

The availability of feed is perhaps the most integral factor impacting the success of the Egg Module. It is critical to have a dependable source of high-quality feed. Often, local feed mills will produce a variety of feeds and can advise as to which local variety is best for the current lifecycle of the bird. In terms of operational profitability, it is essential to analyze and control the cost of feed.

In addition to price, quality is very important, with heavy emphasis on the protein content. Ideally, feed should have about 20% protein; other minerals and vitamins can also enhance the feed performance. Testing of feed nutrients can be done by Gold'n Plump.

Feed consumption will increase as the birds age.

Free-range grazing is another source of feed for the birds. Our barns are designed to provide the birds with access to the outside. However, allowing the birds to roam does have some added risks. There is a higher chance of the introduction of disease, which can be minimized by keeping the birds away from other wild animals and limiting the number of people who are in contact with the flock. Additionally, there is an increased chance of loss due to predators or theft, and the chickens may wander. It is recommended that the flock be confined to a fenced area, cleared of trees and branches, when it is grazing.

Veterinary Care

Locally available veterinarian care services are crucial in caring for the chickens. An experienced vet is a valuable asset for maintaining bird health and training. The vet should be capable of procuring and administering vaccines. Vaccinations need to have a cold-storage supply chain, which may entail short-notice delivery and administration.

Training

Comprehensive training successfully addresses brooding practices; feed and feeding practices; factors impacting growth and development of chickens; factors impacting the egg production; disease recognition and management; molting management; and record keeping and accounting principles. These areas are covered in this document, but firsthand training will greatly help the success of the project.

Training will be carried out at three levels. The first level is the formal training provided by the local suppliers or veterinarians. Most have classes that teach the finer points of raising chickens.

At the second level, the community shares personal experience. Often, the youth in the community have had experience in their family poultry operations of 25 chickens or less. To build on this experience, we suggest they visit and observe some of the larger poultry operations in the region. If possible, they are advised to volunteer or work in these operations. In addition to poultry management practices, the Egg Module can help provide the village school with subject matter for science and business courses.

At the third level, Lift Kids facilitates the technology transfer for the US poultry industry. We edit US management guides to be scale-optimized for village-based small flock production. These guides are reviewed by experienced managers in the industry. Also, Lift Kids hopes to facilitate eco-volunteering of poultry experts and university students. Experienced poultry professionals spending even a short time on the ground can make a significant contribution towards training a few key managers.

Sales

The Egg Module has potentially 4 main channels to the market. Each channel should be tested to determine the most successful route to the customers. Ideally, village-level consumption will be satisfied before moving on to larger markets.

1.      Village Center

A store will be created in the center of the village and people will come to the village to purchase the products. The advantage is the low cost of sales and transportation.

Local schools and orphanages are expected to be main customers in this channel; it is expected that children will consume some of the eggs in the orphanages or schools. This consumption should be tracked, and if possible, subsidized.

2.      Kiosks

A stand along the major road or highway can be built and staffed by people of the village. Here, there is the added possibility of selling agricultural products other than eggs and poultry. Meal preparations can add value and increase profitability in this channel.

3.      City Center

Large population centers typically have large open-air markets that service the residents of the area. This channel has greater competition and higher sales costs, as well as more complex logistics (for example, access to a truck for transporting items). This channel would best be served by villages that can achieve economies of scale by operating multiple coops.

4.      Institutional Channels

Restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and urban schools have a more uniform demand and can be regular customers; long-term contracts are possible. Delivery and service are important to this channel. Operating multiple coops can help provide the production redundancy necessary to provide reliable service.