Poultry farming has become a practical trade nowadays and everyone is interested in rearing fowls both for consumption and sales, especially as the festive period is fast approaching.
As a result of the festivities, many individuals rear fowls months before this period. Thus, there is a lot of competition in the field which threatens too many old poultry owners. A poultry owner by name Mr. Alex Ndoh says; “it has really been challenging this period as one can find so many individuals selling fowls for the festive period. Many customers who used to buy from us are presently rearing fowls too, so at the end of the day who are those to buy when everyone wants to be a vendor?” There are poultry farms all over and supply now supersedes demand. According to some old poultry farmers, they make more sales within the year than the festive period; “we sold a lot of fowls from February till October but with the approach of Christmas things have changed.
Before we made the highest sales during Christmas and New Year but today it is not the case because everyone now wants to rear fowls in preparation for festivities in December and January. Our sales are dropping as the days go by,” said a poultry farmer. Nevertheless, they are as well striving hard to make more sales this festive period by taking measures that will help boost the business. Mr. Alex further says; “I brood the fowls and sell after 3weeks so that consumers can buy and fatten for end of year festivities. This is better because I have a quick turn over and less competitors. I also make publicity and make sure that I produce heal
thy and heavy chicks. Selling 3weeks chicks is better because it has a quick turnover while fattening fowls will take at least 2 months before it is ready for the market.
I can make a gain of 100,000 for 200 3weeks chicks, while for 200 fattened fowls, I can make a gain of just 60,000. That notwithstanding, it all depends on the market at that time. This is because on days like Christmas eve where consumers come for fowls to consume the next day, you cannot expect them to buy chicks for consumption at that time. Therefore it all depends on the period. ” The Corona virus too has been a threat. As such, it has rendered so many bankrupt and has caused clients unable to make purchases. They all complain of no funds. Another vendor in Bamenda testifies that consumers are buying fowls but not at very good prices; “the gain per fowl is very low compared to when there was no Covid19 and the Anglophone Crisis.” Poultry farming too is necessary for self consumption says an individual who rears fowls for personal consumption, “it helps you save more and spend less. I am very sure fowls will be very expensive this period due to many festivities so why don’t I rear my own fowls to avoid unnecessary expenditure and I can as well consume as many fowls as I please at my convenience. So I usually buy chicks and brood till they are ready for consumption,” she said.
