Japanese bantam chicken farming is popular in it’s native area and some other south Asian countries. It is raised as an ornamental breed and it is known for it’s smaller size, extremely short legs, large combs and graceful arched tails.
As the name suggests the ‘Japanese bantam chicken’ is an Asiatic chicken breed originating in Japan. It is also known by some other names. Such as Chabo, Shojo Chabo and Katsura Chabo. The word ‘Chabo’ means bantam, dwarf or miniature in Japanese.
The Japanese bantam chicken is a true bantam breed, meaning that there are no large fowl counterparts. And it is not and never was bred as a standard sized chicken breed. It is actually an unusual breed and is one of the few chicken breeds that is a true bantam.
Today, the Japanese bantam chicken breed is a strictly ornamental bird that is well liked by the poultry fanciers throughout the world. And the breed is very popular.
The American Bantam Association considers the Japanese bantam chicken breed to be in the top ten most popular breeds of all chicken breeds. It was recognized and admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1874.
However, commercial Japanese bantam chicken farming can be a profitable business if you can market ornamental birds easily in your area. If there is no demand for the ornamental birds in your area then you should consider raising any other breed.
How to Start Japanese Bantam Chicken Farming
The Japanese bantam chickens are extraordinary, ornamental chicken breed. They are very strong and hardy birds. So, starting commercial Japanese bantam chicken farming business is relatively easy.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Japanese bantam 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 Japanese bantam chicken farming business. Good quality birds are the key to successful business. So always try to purchase very good quality, healthy and active birds.
You can purchase either day old chicks or mature birds depending on the price and availability in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at a very high prices in the market. But the day old chicks are much cheaper. So we recommend starting with day old chicks.
You can purchase the chicks from any of your nearest poultry chick suppliers, poultry breeding centers or any existing Japanese bantam chicken farms. Just ensure that the chicks are healthy and active. You can also search your local online classified websites.
Housing
Making a good, comfortable and secure housing system is important for starting Japanese bantam 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.
The type of the house can be any depending on your budget. It can be of full concrete setup, or you can build the house with low cost and easily available materials such as bamboo or wood. Just ensure that the house is secure for the birds.
Install good ventilation system while building the house. Because good ventilation system helps to remove excessive gas from inside the house and keeps your birds healthy.
Ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. And make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house.
The Japanese bantam chickens are classed as a bantam breed. So, each bird will require around 4 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Japanese bantam chicken farming business. Because good food not only keeps the birds healthy, but also helps them to grow better and produce more.
You can feed your chickens either with ready-made/commercial poultry feeds, or you can prepare the feeds of your own. Just ensure that it is good and nutritious enough for your poultry birds.
Never feed your chickens with contaminated feeds, and always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.
The Japanese bantam chickens are good for raising in both free range and confined system. But raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs and at the same time it will help to produce better quality products.
Breeding
Like many other domestic chicken breeds, the Japanese bantam chickens are naturally very 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 healthy rooster is enough for breeding around 10 hens. The hens make a good broody and are excellent mothers. Their chicks generally hatch after 20 days of incubation period.
Caring
The Japanese bantam chickens are very easy to tame, and they are good fliers. So special caring is required for Japanese bantam chicken farming. Always try to take good care of your birds.
Monitor their health 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 (such as meat and eggs) is not a problem. But demand for ornamental birds can vary from place to place. So determine your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Japanese bantam chicken farming business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
