How to run a successful poultry business in Zimbabwe Part 2

by | Jul 2, 2014 | opportunities | 19 comments

I wrote an article on how to practice poultry farming in Zimbabwe (chickens projects) a while ago. Besides the post having received great response, I didn’t do a follow-up article on it until now. Today I will be sharing a business opportunity in Zimbabwe that has been there since Chimurenga. This article was inspired by a conversation over lunch with a friend who shared her experience in French restaurants. Remember my golden entrepreneurial rule: Until you know value, everything is worthless. So how does this apply to this down to earth business opportunity in Zimbabwe which is as old as the hills?

First a brief background! Trends in the poultry industry have included an increase in per capita poultry consumption, a decline in real prices for broilers, and a move in the poultry industry towards industrialised, vertically integrated broiler production. The large scale production has resulted in broilers being a low cost meat alternative in Zimbabwe. The small-scale poultry producers in Zimbabwe having seen the threat of being booted from the ecosystem have considered value instead of numbers and have benefited greatly. Some clever Zimbabwean farmers have seen this as an opportunity and have exploited the new natural organic market by producing organic free range chickens. Now back to the woman who inspired this article.

picture credit: savannahriverfarms.com
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picture credit: savannahriverfarms.com

She hinted on her experience in ordering chicken at French restaurants: Poulet bicyclette (free range chickens) and Poulet television (which are our broilers). My first article was on raising broilers for business (poulet television) but lately the poulet bicyclette which most locals refer to as the road runner has a higher market value. With the advent of creative biology which has seen a rise in genetically modified foods, there is a move towards organic foods. Besides the free range (road runner) chickens’ being organic, they have a taste which stands out.

Organic free range chickens also known as all natural or pastured chickens are known for containing no artificial ingredient. Pastured chickens are also are also raised in an environmentally friendly fashion. Free range chicken or poulet bicyclette production is in response to consumers’ demands for healthier and better tasting and of coarse more natural chickens.

Raising free range chickens (poulet bicyclette) requires no much experience unlike poulet television. My grandmother used to have in excess of 50 road runners in Rusape and she would prepare not less than two birds every time we visited her. She didn’t raise them for profit but to her it was a hobby she enjoyed.

Cost comparisons

To raise one broiler to its market weight it costs an average of $3.00 whilst raising a free range bird cost less than a dollar to nothing at all. The surprising inverse relationship between cost of raising the birds and their selling price is where the business opportunity lay.

19 Comments

  1. Poultry Business

    I would like to run a successful poultry business in Harare. I have space enough to accomodate 1000 birds. I only have structures to accomodate 200 birds. Please kindly assist on way forward.

    Reply
  2. japeluza

    l want to run a successful poultry,mushroom and suck potato project on a small scale, how do l go about

    Reply
      • Moses Marukutira

        l want to run a successful poultry,mushroom and suck potato project on a small scale, how do l go about

        my emails :moses@hubbardzw.co.zw or mmarukutira@gmail.com

        Reply
      • Leonard Tima

        I would like to invest in road runner chickens in Harare town at a large scale.May you supply with information pertaining everything.

        Reply
  3. Nomagugu Mpofu

    I want to start a road runner project in the rural earea of Gwanda. I want to know how to go about it.

    Reply
  4. baba va haley

    we got have space of 2400 square metres specifically bought for chicken production but now financial challenges. we need assistance. is there a way to secure a loan based on collateral cause we have assets

    Reply
  5. Prisca

    good day

    i would like to invest in road runner chickens in Gwanda town at a large scale , i have already started the project . May you supply with information pertaining everything.

    Reply
  6. Leonard Tima

    I would like to invest in road runner chickens in Harare town at a large scale. May you supply with information pertaining everything.

    Reply
  7. elson john mwale

    Please sir I would like to raise road runners Can you please give some info on that Where can I acquire the chicks and general requirements
    Am staying in Bulawayo town and have space to start with 50 chicks
    Hoping for your esteemed response
    With thanks.

    Reply
  8. Idah Magede

    Dear Sir

    I have just fallen in love with raising chickens for sale especially the road runner(poulet bicyclette) Please furnish me with information on how i can raise 50 to 75 birds. Iam in kadoma and have enough space.

    Reply
  9. NYASHA ZVIONWA

    I would like to start Road Runner Project . Please advise how to go about it

    Reply
  10. Thulisile Mkhize

    Good day I would like to start growing briolers and layers chickens but I dnt know how to go about I need help thankyou

    Reply
  11. Maramba Tungamirirai

    good day l am into roadrunner project in Mutare but i want to boost my production can you help me

    Reply
  12. thulani ngurube

    I stay in bulawayo and would like to venture into white button mushroom farming, greenhouse farming and fish farming. Can anyone help? Willing to pay for lessons.

    Reply

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  1. Understanding poultry farming in Zimbabwe! A healthy dose of motivation - ziminvestors.com - […] How to run a successful poultry business in Zimbabwe Part 2 […]

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