Malay Chicken Farming

Malay chicken farming is popular in it’s native area, especially in the Southeast Asia. It is actually a hard feathered, game fowl breed. It is the tallest chicken breed which may stand over 90 cm high. Today, it is raised mainly for ornamental purpose.

The Malay chicken is one of the most ancient chicken breed originated in the Southeast Asia. They are mainly found in parts of Northern India, Malaysia and Indonesia and is said to have ancestors in the Kulm fowl.

The Malay chicken is the first gigantic Asiatic poultry breed which was introduced to the western world. It arrived in England in 1830, and it was a very popular breed in England until it lost favor due to the popularity of the newly introduced Cochin chicken.

The Malay chicken arrived Holland and Germany in 1834, and in the United States in 1846. The Black Breasted Red Malay chicken variety was admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of perfection in 1883. And other 5 color varieties (both bantam and standard) were added in 1991.

Today the Malay chickens are not raised for meat or eggs. Rather they are raised mainly for ornamental purpose.

However, if there is enough demand for ornamental chickens in your area and if you can market the birds easily, then you can start commercial Malay chicken farming business. The ornamental birds are generally sold at a very high price in the market. So you will probably be able to make good profit from commercial Malay chicken farming business.

How to Start Malay Chicken Farming

The Malay chickens are extremely hardy and strong birds, as compared to many other domestic chicken breeds. So raising them is relatively easy, even the beginners can raise them.

Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Malay 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 your Malay chicken farming business. Because quality birds are the key to successful Malay chicken farming business.

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. On the other hand, the day old chicks are much cheaper. So we recommend starting with day old chicks.

Today the Malay chickens are highly available throughout the world. So you will probably able to easily source the birds. You can purchase the chicks from any of your nearest chicken breeding centers, poultry chick suppliers or any existing Malay chicken farms. Just ensure that the birds are healthy, active and vigorous.

Housing

Making a good, comfortable and secure housing system is important for Malay 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 good house for your birds. 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. Just ensure that the housing system is secure and safe for the birds.

Good ventilation system is a must, because it helps to remove harmful gases from inside the house and keeps your birds healthy. So install good ventilation system inside the house while building.

Also 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 Malay chickens are classed as a large breed. And as they are ornamental birds, so arranging up to 7-8 square feet of housing space per bird will be enough.

Feeding

Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Malay chicken farming business. Because good and nutritious food not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to grow better and produce more. So always try to feed them with quality feeds.

You can feed your chickens either with ready-made/commercial poultry feeds, or you can prepare the feeds of your own. Just ensure that the food is good and nutritious for your 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 Malay chickens are very good for raising in free range system. Raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs, and at the same time it will help the birds to produce better quality products.

Breeding

The Malay chickens are naturally excellent breeders, just like many other domestic chicken breeds. They will breed easily and produce enough 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 or up to 10 hens.

Caring

The Malay chickens are extremely strong and hardy birds. They generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional care will help the birds to grow better and produce more.

Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness. And take necessary steps if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate your birds timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.

Marketing

Marketing chicken products (such as eggs or meat) is not a problem. But marketing ornamental birds can be difficult in some areas. Determine whether ornamental birds are popular in your area or not.

Also determine whether you can easily sell your birds easily in the local market. If you can market easily, then you should start commercial Malay chicken farming business.

These are the common ways and steps for starting and operating a successful Malay chicken farming business. The Malay chickens are very strong and hardy birds, and raising them is very easy. Even the beginners can also raise them. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!