Diversification ideas for a poultry shed

[Big Eddy C]

Recently had planning approved for a broiler shed, 80x360ft. For one reason or another we may not have a contract to supply a major integrator anymore. Bank funding is approved and all contractors are nearly ready to go.

So basically we need options to supply smaller processors/alternative poultry markets. Or an idea for an alternative use which can generate a decent return! Open to options. Located in the midlands.

 

[midlandslad]

Why not just shelve the plans for the time being if the job is no good?

 

[Thick Farmer]

Blank canvas wedding venue? Social distancing bar?

 

[wilber]

indoor go karting

 

[Hilly]

White elephant farming ?

 

[Barleymow]

Duck rearing?

 

[Frodo]

Everyone else is doing Free range egg, sounds like you’ve got a head start.

 

[Glass half full]

how is the location? near a town, on a main road?

 

[chaffcutter]

Is it suitable for caravan or motor home storage? The way the market has exploded for both due to the Covid restrictions means lots of folk will be needing storage away from home due to lack of parking space.

 

[caveman]

Ice rink.
Curling too.

 

[Exfarmer]

Is it suitable for caravan or motor home storage? The way the market has exploded for both due to the Covid restrictions means lots of folk will be needing storage away from home due to lack of parking space.

Also specialist car storage.

 

[ollie989898]

Mental on-farm raves are the obvious choice. @teslacoils will do the DJing if you need a guy at short notice and can probably sort your punters out a supply of reasonably priced MDMA as well.

 

[Ceri]

Suckler cows taste way better than chicken lickin ££££££££

 

[lloyd]

Growing medicinal drugs ,obviously under license .

 

[delilah]

Maybe look at it that you have dodged a bullet if the contract with the 'major integrator' has fallen through ?
There are currently some serious volumes of beef and lamb being shifted via farm shops, independent butchers, with provenance being a key marketing ploy.
Are these businesses selling chicken - the nations favourite meat whether we like it or not - with similar provenance ? An opportunity ?

 

[anzani]

Maybe look at it that you have dodged a bullet if the contract with the 'major integrator' has fallen through ?
There are currently some serious volumes of beef and lamb being shifted via farm shops, independent butchers, with provenance being a key marketing ploy.
Are these businesses selling chicken - the nations favourite meat whether we like it or not - with similar provenance ? An opportunity ?

Would be interested to learn of the economics of producing a British equivalent to the poulet de Bresse which we may not continue to want to import next year. Feasability of a quality finished, (non chlorinated !) , fed a free range enhanced natural diet , possibly delivered to bird, not foraged from, the outside environment. Thoughts welcomed.

 

[Fogg]

If you're in a position to hold fire and your only outlay so far is planning fees, I'd wait and see what happens with Brexit and covid. The next year or two could be really choppy if we're flooded with US product and no vaccine materialises.

I've planning approved for a shed too, but am not in a hurry to build it.

 

[Big Eddy C]

Thanks all, caravan/car storage was the absolute back up plan. Not keen on layers/eggs, the capital cost to start is double that of a broiler shed and the multi tier aviary is basically scrap if you want to take it out. Have 2 years left on planning but want to start, chicken has a good future and co sumption is going up. Not too worried about an American chicken I flux as we are both not consumers of breast meat. Wedding venue is a good idea but will be a hard sell to a bank right now! Location is approx 2 miles from a large town. Dont want to hassle of a farm shop/direct sales on a high level as margins are tight and will struggle to justify a new build. Have a call with another integrator tomorrow so shall wait and see....

 

[midlandslad]

Thanks all, caravan/car storage was the absolute back up plan. Not keen on layers/eggs, the capital cost to start is double that of a broiler shed and the multi tier aviary is basically scrap if you want to take it out. Have 2 years left on planning but want to start, chicken has a good future and co sumption is going up. Not too worried about an American chicken I flux as we are both not consumers of breast meat. Wedding venue is a good idea but will be a hard sell to a bank right now! Location is approx 2 miles from a large town. Dont want to hassle of a farm shop/direct sales on a high level as margins are tight and will struggle to justify a new build. Have a call with another integrator tomorrow so shall wait and see....

whereabouts are you based?

 

[Big Eddy C]

whereabouts are you based?

Lichfield outskirts