Sumatra Chicken Farming

Sumatra chicken farming is popular for ornamental or exhibition purpose. It is a native breed of the Sumatra Island. It is an ornamental breed and raised mainly for ornamental or exhibition purpose.

The Sumatra chicken breed was once used for cockfighting in some areas where cockfighting was legal. Historically, the residents of Indonesian Island used to catch Sumatra roosters during the beginning of breeding season, use them in combat and release them once their seasonal aggression declined.

Today the Sumatra chicken’s seasonal aspect is still very much a part of the breed. And the breeders can expect fertility and broodiness to arrive late in the spring.

The Sumatra chicken breed is probably the result of cross between feral Kampong chickens and a variety of wild fowl, which is extinct today.

The breed was originally imported from the Indonesian Isles of Sumatra in 1847 to the United States and Europe as fighting roosters for the purpose of cockfighting.

The Sumatra chicken is one of the very old chicken breeds admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection, and it was admitted in 1883.

Today, the Sumatra chicken breed is raised mainly as an ornamental breed. And the breed is extremely rare today. It is listed in the ‘Critical’ category of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List.

However, commercial Sumatra chicken farming can be a good business if you can easily market ornamental or exhibition birds in your area. Because the ornamental or show birds are generally sold at very high price in the market. And at the same time you can help this breed to recover it’s population.

How to Start Sumatra Chicken Farming

The Sumatra chickens are very strong and hardy birds. So starting commercial Sumatra chicken farming business will be easy.

Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Sumatra chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.

Purchase Chickens

First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and active birds for starting your Sumatra chicken farming business. Purchasing good quality birds is very important, because good quality birds ensure good production and maximum profits.

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 very high price in the market. While 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 or local poultry chick suppliers, chicken breeding centers or any existing Sumatra chicken farms. You can also search your local online classified websites. Just ensure that the chicks are strong, hardy and active.

Housing

Arranging a good housing system is very important for Sumatra 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 wild predators and adverse weather conditions.

The type of the house can be any depending on your budget and also on the availability of the materials. It can be of full concrete setup or you can build the house with easily available and low cost materials (such as bamboo or wood).

Install good ventilation system inside the house. Good ventilation system is very important, because it helps to reduce harmful gases 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 Sumatra chickens are large birds and on average a mature bird will require around or up to 10 square feet of housing space (they need more space as they are ornamental or exhibition birds).

Feeding

Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Sumatra chicken farming business. Because good food not only helps the birds to stay 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 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 drinking water as per their demand.

The Sumatra chickens are not good for raising them in confinement. So raising them in free range system will be good. The birds will remain healthy and produce better quality products in free range system.

Breeding

Like many other domestic chicken breeds, the Sumatra 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 the flock. Generally one healthy rooster is enough for breeding around 10 hens.

The roosters are generally not aggressive towards others, but they can be aggressive only during the breeding season. The hens are not good egg layers. They lay only a few number of medium sized white eggs. But they are among the best broodies and are best protective mothers.

Caring

The Sumatra chickens are very strong and hardy birds. Both chicks and adult birds are very hardy. So, they generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional caring will help the birds to grow better and stay healthy.

Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness and take necessary steps as soon as possible 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. Because both meat and eggs of chicken have very good demand and value in the market. But the market demand and value of ornamental birds can be different from place to place.

So determine your marketing strategies before starting this business. Because you won’t be able to make good profit if you can market the birds easily in your area.

These are the steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Sumatra chicken farming business. The Sumatra chickens are naturally very strong and hardy birds, and it’s really very easy to raise them, even the beginners can also raise them. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!