GUIDELINES FOR NEW ENTRANTS TO THE BROILER INDUSTRY
The S A Poultry Association is a voluntary farmers’ Association whose aim is to
provide services to producers.
Several services are offered to members of the Association, amongst others, a
monthly Poultry Bulletin (See Bulletins under Industry) which keeps members
informed of the latest happenings within the industry and endeavours to fulfil
information functions through the publication of technical articles.
Membership application forms and membership fees are downloadable (see
downloads)
The Poultry Association has a central body called the “Management Committee” who
deals with the co-ordination of activities of the different affiliates who deal with the
administrative affairs, and also addresses certain matters of mutual interest via
advisory committees. These committees are as follows:
a) Technical Committee
b) Feed Committee
c) Training Committee
The Management Committee is compiled from the following main committees, each
representing an independent organisation
(a) Egg Organisation
(b) Broiler Organisation
(c) Chick Producers’ Organisation
(d) Chairman of the Advisory Committee
FREE ENTERPRISE
There are no restrictions on new entrants to the Broiler/Egg Industry. As far as the
marketing side is concerned, it is a totally free market and one must slaughter and
market ones own broilers.
FARM STALL
If your property is situated on a road to a township you can erect a farm stall to
market your poultry. Please note that you may only sell products produced on your
own farm.
ABATTOIR
As the establishment of an abattoir is an expensive and complicated process, we
advise new members to market their broilers live, preferably to the black trade. In
order to do so, the site of your farm (which does not have to be big – e.g. five or ten
hectares) is of utmost importance. List of abattoirs (downloads)
ABATTOIR CODE OF PRACTICE
Should you wish to establish an abattoir, please download Code of Practice compiled
by the Broiler Organisation in order to assist farmers with the regulations pertaining
to abattoirs. If you operate within this Code of Practice, you will not encounter
problems with Veterinary Services. However, should you encounter problems whilst
adhering to the Code of Practice, then the Broiler Organisation is prepared to assist
you in this regard (only if you are unable to solve them at local level with Veterinary
Services).
TRANSPORT REGULATIONS
Please take note of the transport regulations, if you wish to transport your
slaughtered poultry. It is advisable to obtain and study these regulations before you
start.
ANIMAL WELFARE
Animal welfare groups have caused many problems overseas, therefore it is
essential to ensure that your birds are well tended to, your cages are not overloaded
and high health standards are maintained. A shower and a disinfectant foot bath are
a must before anyone is allowed to enter a broiler house. If you adhere to these
health standards, your visitors will naturally follow this good example.
A Code of Practice has been compiled to encourage continued humane treatment of
chickens. (Downloadable)
BREEDING LINES
Please note that the breeding lines available as commercial broilers are cross-bred
and are therefore not necessarily pure lines. Pure lines are imported from overseas
suppliers at grandparent and great-grandparent level, but even they are no longer the
pure line of days gone by.
Approximately four genetic lines produce approximately 80% of the world’s broilers.
The reason for this is the application of selection pressure on a family basis (based
on performance criteria) and overseas breeders have used this breeding method for
the past 40-50 years. Out of a large number of birds only a small group of those
which perform the best with regard to feed conversion, growth rate, etc. are selected
for further breeding and this is repeated on a regular basis. This procedure is only
effective when the numbers are large and greater pressure is possible overseas
where such demands exist. Therefore, we use the same lines as overseas.
Our local market is much too small to compete successfully worldwide and this is the
reason why we import four great-grandparent lines per breed. By following a specific
cross-breeding pattern a four-way commercial cross is produced with hybrid vigour,
which can deliver good results on a constant basis.
To breed your own broiler breeder, will not work – rather buy from a supplier who
advertises in the attached Poultry Bulletin.
FINANCING
No central dedicated source of financing exists for poultry producers. The normal
agricultural financing, which is approximately as follows, can be used as a guideline:
(a) The Landbank will grant loans under Article 34 on a promissory note for
established small farmers who wish to expand their broiler operation. As it is
based on promissory note, it is usually a lengthy procedure due to the fact that
they do not obtain any direct bond for security of such loans.
(b) Commercial banks: The average successful broiler producer makes use of
commercial bank facilities for the financing of expansions.
(c) The Small Business Development Corporation has in some cases, helped to
finance small broiler
egg production units through the Small Business Development Corporation.
abattoirs. The Association is not aware of any financing ofSUPPLIERS OF PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
As per the attached copy of the Poultry Bulletin you will find the names of suppliers
who advertise such equipment. Please contact them for further information.
DISEASE RISK
When poultry is kept intensively, the risk of disease is much higher because the birds
are close to each other. If one should contract a disease, it would be easy for it to
spread, therefore potential poultry farmers must take note of the stringent health
procedures.
In the case of broilers one has to ensure that a proper vaccination programme is
followed. If the correct procedure is not followed severe financial losses could be
incurred.
It would be advisable to attend the annual SAPA Congress and Exhibition which
includes a sector on poultry health, in order to upgrade your knowledge of poultry
disease and how it should be handled.