Modern egg-laying hen farm

I. Preliminary Research and Planning

Market Analysis

• Demand Research: Investigate local and regional egg consumption, price fluctuations, and consumer preferences (e.g., organic eggs, free-range eggs).

• Competitive Analysis: Analyze existing farms’ scale, sales channels, and market gaps.

• Policy Support: Research government subsidies, loan incentives, or technical support for agriculture/livestock farming.

Business Model Design

• Scale: Start small (10,000–50,000 hens) to reduce risk or opt for large-scale operations (100,000+ hens) for cost efficiency.

• Rearing Methods: Cage farming (high efficiency but equipment-intensive), free-range (animal welfare-focused), or eco-integrated systems (combining farming with manure recycling).

• Sales Positioning: Standard eggs, branded eggs, organic-certified eggs, or processed products (liquid eggs, egg powder).

II. Funding and Budgeting

Initial Investment

• Land lease/purchase: ¥100,000–300,000 (varies by region and size).

• Chicken house construction: Fully automated facilities cost ¥200–300/m² (¥1.5 million for 50,000 hens).

• Equipment: Automated feeding, watering, egg collection, manure removal, and environmental control systems (¥500,000–1 million).

• Chicks: ¥3–5 per chick (¥30,000–50,000 for 10,000 chicks).

Operating Costs

• Feed: 60–70% of total costs, requiring 40–45 kg/hen/year during laying periods.

• Labor, utilities, vaccines, maintenance: ~20% of total costs.

Financing Channels

• Agricultural loans, government grants, cooperative partnerships, or investor funding

III. Site Construction and Compliance

Location Requirements

• At least 500 meters from residential areas and water sources; well-ventilated, dry terrain with road access.

• Agricultural land use permits; obtain Animal Epidemic Prevention Qualification Certificate and environmental impact assessment.

Chicken House Design

• Structure: South-facing orientation, insulated materials (e.g., color steel sandwich panels), equipped with pad-fan cooling systems.

• Zoning: Brooding area, laying area, feed storage, egg storage, manure treatment zone, and quarantine area.

• Automation:

• Stacked cages (3–4 hens/cage for space efficiency).

• Central egg conveyors, nipple drinkers, chain feeders.

• Environmental controllers (automated temperature, humidity, and lighting).

IV. Breeder Selection and Farming Techniques

Breed Selection

• High-yield breeds: Hy-Line Brown (300–320 eggs/year), Lohmann Brown, Jinghong No.1; source from reputable hatcheries.

• Contracts: Ensure health guarantees and vaccination records.

Farm Management

• Brooding Phase (0–6 weeks): Temperature starts at 35°C, gradually reduced to 20°C; 24-hour lighting; high-protein feed (19–20%).

• Laying Phase (18–72 weeks): 16 hours of light/day; feed with 3.5–4% calcium; monitor egg weight and breakage rates.

• Disease Prevention:

• Vaccinate against Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, avian influenza (H5+H7).

• Weekly disinfection, strict “all-in/all-out” system, and safe disposal of dead birds.

V. Operations and Sales

Cost Control

• Negotiate long-term feed supplier contracts; use local ingredients (corn, soybean meal).

• Install solar panels to reduce energy costs; convert manure into organic fertilizer for additional revenue.

Sales Channels

• Wholesale: Farmers’ markets, food processors.

• Retail: Community group buying, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms (e.g., Pinduoduo, Meituan).

• Branding: Trademark registration, eco-friendly packaging emphasizing “freshness” and “antibiotic-free” claims.

Data-Driven Management

• Use farm management software to track laying rates, mortality, and feed conversion ratios for optimization.

VI. Risk Mitigation

• Market Risks: Secure long-term contracts with restaurants or hedge price volatility via egg futures.

• Disease Risks: Purchase poultry insurance, establish quarantine zones, and conduct regular antibody testing.

• Environmental Risks: Build biogas digesters or manure treatment plants compliant with Livestock Manure Resource Utilization standards.