Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming is popular in it’s native area. It is a true native, oldest and dual purpose English poultry breed. It is also known as Coral, and it is valued for both of it’s meat and eggs production.
The Derbyshire Redcap chicken breed was developed in the Derbyshire area of United Kingdom long time ago. It was actually originated in around 1870 and was particularly popular around the southern Pennies until the mid 1900s. And it probably contains the blood of Golden Spangled Hamburgs.
The original breeds are unknown which were used for developing this breed. But Black-Breasted Red Games, Dorkings, Golden Spangled Hamburgs and Old English Pheasant Fowl may have been involved for creating Derbyshire Redcap chicken breed.
Name of the breed comes from their exceptional rose comb, which is approximately 3 and a 1/4 inches long and 2 and a 3/4 inches wide. And their comb is crowned with many points and very long spike.
The Derbyshire Redcap chickens have never been raised commercially and have always been raised primarily as a backyard fowl. And today, the breed is listed as Critical on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy watchlist.
So commercial Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming can help to recover the population and at the same time you can make some good profit. Because it is a dual purpose breed and good for both meat and eggs production purpose.
How to Start Derbyshire Redcap Chicken Farming
Starting Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming business is just like starting and operating a chicken farming business with any other chicken breeds. The Derbyshire Redcap chickens are relatively strong and hardy birds, so they generally require less caring and other management.
So starting commercial Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming business will be easy. You can start this business even if you are a beginner. Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successsful Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Chickens
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and disease free birds for starting Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming business. You can purchase either mature birds or day old chicks depending on the price and availability in your area.
We recommend purchasing day old chicks. Because the mature birds are costly, but the day old chicks are much cheaper.
You can purchase the chicks from any of your nearest poultry chick suppliers, chicken breeding centers or existing Derbyshire Redcap chicken farms. You can also search your local online classified websites.
Housing
Making a good, comfortable and secure housing system is very important for Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming business. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy but also helps them to stay free from all types of predators and adverse weather conditions.
So try to make a very good shelter/housing system for your chickens. The type of the house can be any depending on your budget. It can be of full concrete setup, or the house can be made of easily available and low cost materials. Just ensure that the house is comfortable and safe.
Install good ventilation system inside the house. Because good ventilation system helps to reduce gas from the house, and as a result your birds remain healthy. Also ensure flow of sufficient amount of clean and fresh air inside the house.
Try to make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean it. The Derbyshire Redcap chickens are classed as a heavy breed. So a mature bird will require around or up to 5 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality, nutritious and healthy food is the most important part of Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming business. Because good food not only helps the birds to grow better, but also helps them to stay healthy and produce more.
So always try to feed your birds with good quality and nutritious food. You can feed them either commercial poultry feeds or you can prepare the feeds of your own. Just ensure the food is nutritious and healthy for the chickens.
Never feed your chickens with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh water as per their demand.
The Derbyshire Redcap chickens are good for raising in both confined and free range system. But raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs and at the same time it will increase the quality of the products.
Breeding
Like many other domestic chicken breeds, the Derbyshire Redcap chickens are also good breeders. They will breed easily and produce fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and roosters in your flock.
Generally one mature and healthy rooster is enough for breeding around or up to 10 hens.
Caring
Caring Derbyshire Redcap chickens is very easy. Because they are hardy and very strong birds. They generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional care will help them to grow better and produce more.
Monitor your birds on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness, and take necessary steps if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing chicken products is not a problem. Because both meat and eggs of the chicken have very good demand and value in the market.
So you will be able to easily sell your products in the local market. Although you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common ways for starting and operating a successful Derbyshire Redcap chicken farming business. Raising these birds is really easy and even the beginners can also raise them. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
