Starting a poultry farm?

[Billboy1]

Figures from someone actually doing it would be more interesting

 

[ski]

Nobody was looking for grain storage at the time as we asked around. Plus it’s more hassle than eggs as you’ve got hundreds of trucks wanting loading at silly times. 32,000 chickens is no more than 2 hrs per day job bar clean downs or restocking/destocking.

Also with eggs going down the used equipment pass your looking at a 3 yr pay back.

Sorry, but 2 hrs a day is complete rose tinted spectacles. 32k done efficiently is 13 - 14 hrs a day. Floor eggs, packing, cleaning, maintain equipment, range topping, electric fences, record keeping, daily checks, etc, etc,

 

[Billboy1]

Best thing with the housing job is to find one that needs work and get an immediate uplift in value then either sell on or rent out good returns are still possible. Horses for courses really

 

[wellingtonfarmer]

Sorry, but 2 hrs a day is complete rose tinted spectacles. 32k done efficiently is 13 - 14 hrs a day. Floor eggs, packing, cleaning, maintain equipment, range topping, electric fences, record keeping, daily checks, etc, etc,

13-14hrs hours? You packing eggs by hand? And cutting the range with a scissors?

 

[wellingtonfarmer]

6.5 man hour days per 32k on a decent set up with a robot after week 30.

 

[Daniel]

6.5 man hour days per 32k on a decent set up with a robot after week 30.

Do people put robots in on 32k generally?

 

[wellingtonfarmer]

Do people put robots in on 32k generally?

The majority of people who have 32k have got them or are looking at them, labour is getting harder to find

 

[Daniel]

The majority of people who have 32k have got them or are looking at them, labour is getting harder to find

When we got ours I spoke to a local firm who manufacture potato bagging robots about making one, he said he'd need to sell at least 4 to recoup his investment and so he didn't think it was for him.

Since then I think RM group have sold over 40, so he's missed a trick, but I assumed they were going in where people could link two sheds together.

 

[warksfarmer]

Sorry, but 2 hrs a day is complete rose tinted spectacles. 32k done efficiently is 13 - 14 hrs a day. Floor eggs, packing, cleaning, maintain equipment, range topping, electric fences, record keeping, daily checks, etc, etc,

I think you need to go to specsavers.

 

[maen]

I think the question to ask is if i invest £2.5 million what will you guarantee my pullet price, feedprice and egg price to be for the next 10 years. Atlternatively, the packer puts up the cash to develop the site you will charge him rent for the use of the site and a service charge to operate their investment. You might be surprised at the deafening silence and the sound of a slamming doors as they exit the room. Believe it or not that's the question to ask.

 

[henman]

I have 64000 hens linked to one packer I looked at robots a man is cheaper at the moment .

 

[wellingtonfarmer]

I have 64000 hens linked to one packer I looked at robots a man is cheaper at the moment .

How much was the robot? A Cobot palletiser is £27kish, 3000/3500 man hours. Wouldn't take long to pay back on 64k

 

[Daniel]

How much was the robot? A Cobot palletiser is £27kish, 3000/3500 man hours. Wouldn't take long to pay back on 64k

Those things are sluggish though and only single pallet, you'll always wish you got a proper robot!

 

[henman]

on 64000 hens I would save max 1.5 hours a day paying £8 a hour a RM robots £36000 8 years at least to pay for one

 

[Mikearbuckle]

on 64000 hens I would save max 1.5 hours a day paying £8 a hour a RM robots £36000 8 years at least to pay for one

I would have to agree, got 2 sheds of 32000 and would love a couple of robots but very to justify. I don’t know many people using them unless they are putting 64000 through the pack house.

 

[Mikearbuckle]

Slightly off topic here but does anyone use a drone for chasing birds in at night? We have automatic potholes so generally let the birds take their chance but when they are young I like to see them in for peace of mind. Tried a very cheap drone last night and it was very effective but wondering if the birds would just get used to it after a while like everything else. Keen to buy a descent drone and basically looking for a way to justify it . [emoji12]

 

[6910 Buzz]

Slightly off topic here but does anyone use a drone for chasing birds in at night? We have automatic potholes so generally let the birds take their chance but when they are young I like to see them in for peace of mind. Tried a very cheap drone last night and it was very effective but wondering if the birds would just get used to it after a while like everything else. Keen to buy a descent drone and basically looking for a way to justify it . [emoji12]

I’ve got a decent drone and never thought of trying it but I will tomorrow night sick of closing them in at 11 every night

 

[Osca]

Used to find a laser pointer in the dusk very handy for herding geese. Never tried it on hens though.

 

[Osca]

You could still treat yourself to a drone - who needs an excuse? Then post some aerial photos footage for our delectation.

 

[Robw54]

Only theoretical. I'm guessing a rent of £600 month so £144k tops a year.

You'd be 140k now for something doing 500 a month now in an area u might hope to be able to sell in the future. Thats before u get into running costs, repairs, voids and dodgy tenants.