Imagine a manufacturing assembly line.
Poultry farming isn’t far off.
Broilers and layers are commercialised products.
Scientifically formulated resources with a precisely defined economic outcome (*if handled accordingly).
Broilers = 42g to 2,521g in 35 weeks.
Layers = 425-434 hen-day eggs to 90 weeks.
All predetermined.
Nothing left to chance.
They start as chicks. Full of potential.
And end on the processing date, having attained potential (or as close / far as your management control permits).
And herein lies the game.
Not to grow the biggest birds, nor to lay the largest or most eggs…
…but to hit a prescribed peak performance, as dictated by genetic potential.
The fact is, the birds are limited by genes.
Genes set the boundaries to the physical parameters.
The breeder’s job is to set those genetic parameters as close to market demand as possible, for the lowest cost possible and to be reached within the shortest time…
…then to provide a continual conveyor belt of a certain breed (or breeds) of chicks that are primed to hit specified targets….
…name them (as becoming synonymous with the category, i.e. Cobb for broilers or Hyline for layers) and supply them, on tap.
As brands, these breeds become the standard – because they can be relied on, time and time again to generate the desired results.
And as the poultry farmer, it’s your job to receive these chicks on day 1 and follow the breeder’s management guide, to achieve optimal results.
It’s as if the breeder designs and supplies the kit.
Your farm assembles the parts.
And the wholesalers, dealers, and retailers get the final product (chicken or eggs) to the consumer.
The breeder and retailers constantly assess market demand of consumers, staying in tune with what will sell – and they fine-tune their design to fit.
So all parties have their parts to play and the game works well for all participants, if they fulfil their role.
As the assembly crew in this manufacturing process, the keys to your success lie in the expert handling of the kit (chicks) from the moment it comes through your doors.
Handled well – you produce the chicken or egg quality and quantity promised – and on time. Your buyers are happy and your investment pays off.
Handled less than – you fall short of the specified quality or quantity. Your buyers are disappointed and your finances suffer.
So, wisdom would have it – as a poultry farmer, your focus is better set on the bird in the hand, rather than the one in the bush.
Leave a Reply