Rustic Rooster Tales

Proper space planning is one of the most important aspects of country chicken (Desi/Nati chicken) farming. You should ensure adequate space for healthy growth, reducing stress, preventing diseases and improving the overall productivity. Do not overcrowd the birds, as it can lead to poor performance and higher mortality.   Free Range Country Chicken Why Space Matters in Country Chicken Farming 🐓 Health & Comfort – Birds with enough space show better immunity and growth. 🌱 Natural Behaviour – Country chickens need room to scratch, peck, and forage. ⚖️ Disease Prevention – Proper spacing reduces contact and spread of infections. 💰 Profitability – Birds gain weight faster and produce more eggs in a stress-free environment. Housing Space Requirements 1. Brooding Stage (0–4 Weeks) Space: 0.3 to 0.5 sq. ft. per chick inside the shed. Keep chicks warm with proper brooding equipment. Use round enclosures to prevent chicks from crowding in corners. 2. Growing Stage (5–16 Weeks) ...

Choosing Between Small-Scale and Large-Scale Country Chicken Farming Country chicken (Desi or Nati chicken) farming is quite flexible — you can start with just a few birds or expand into a large-scale enterprise with thousands of birds. The scale you choose depends on your capacity to invest, land availability, labour, and market reach. Before venturing into country chicken farming, you should understand the pros and cons of each model. This will help you to make the right decision for long-term success. Small-Scale Country Chicken Farming Small-scale farming usually ranges from 50 to 500 birds. Farmers often use backyard space or low-cost sheds, and family members can manage daily operations. Benefits ✅ Low investment, low risk – affordable for beginners ✅ Easy management – fewer birds to handle ✅  Adaptable – can scale up gradually as confidence grows ✅  Local demand – desi chicken is popular in villages, towns, and direct-to-consumer sales Challenges ⚠️ Limited profit marg...

In this post, you will understand the benefits of desi (country) chicken farming versus broiler chicken farming.  Country Chicken Vs Broiler Chicken Farming Learning Objective By the end of this session, you will be able to: Understand the key differences between desi chicken (country chicken) and the broiler broiler farming.  Identify the economic, nutritional, and marketing advantages of rearing the desi chickens.  Decide which mode suits your farming conditions and goals.  Introduction Poultry farming is one of the fastest-growing agribusinesses in India. While broiler farming dominates the commercial market due to fast growth, desi chicken farming (also called country chicken or free-range poultry) is gaining popularity because of its profitability, low risk, and consumer preference. Difference Between Desi Chicken & Broiler Chicken Table - Difference between Desi Chicken and Broiler Chicken Benefits of Desi Chicken Farming over Broilers For Farmers Low inves...

Country Chicken Farming Country chicken farming, also known as free-range poultry farming or desi chicken farming, is an age-old practice that has become popular again in India.  Modern consumers are turning to country chicken (also known as Desi or Nati Chicken) due to its natural, chemical-free quality. For rural entrepreneurs, this growing demand opens the door to higher profits and a rewarding business, all while promoting sustainable farming practices. Unlike commercial broilers, country chickens are hardy and adaptable, thriving in natural environments. Farmers, both small-scale and commercial, are turning towards this model because of its low input costs, better taste, and higher market demand. If you’re planning to venture into country chicken farming, you are on the right path. Rustic Rooster Tales blog is your one-stop resource to help you start small, scale up, and sustain a profitable poultry business. Note: Country Chicken is also called as Native Chicken, Desi Chicke...

Poultry Feed Management Effective feed management is one of the key factors determining success in country chicken (desi chicken) poultry farming. For many aspiring farmers, the high cost of commercially available feeds—typically priced between ₹35 and ₹40 per kilogram—can be overwhelming. Without proper planning, feed alone can eat up a major share of profits and even push small farmers into losses. But here’s the good news: with smart feed management, farmers can not only save money but also boost profitability significantly. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by producing your own poultry feed instead of relying fully on company-manufactured feed. Many successful poultry farmers are already doing this, and their results are inspiring. Cost Comparison: Commercial Chicken Feed vs Homemade Chicken Feed  Commercial feed is convenient but expensive. On the other hand, preparing your own feed can cut costs by over 50%, depending on the ingredients and methods you use. ...

Welcome back to Rustic Rooster Tales – where we bring you real stories of farmers who are changing their lives through free-range country chicken farming. Free Range Chicken Farming (Gavran Bird) Today’s story is about Ajay Verma, a determined farmer who left behind the busy city lifestyle and built a thriving free-range poultry business specialising in the Gavran breed – a native, colourful, and highly sought-after chicken of Maharashtra. From City Rush to Country Success Ajay once lived in the hustle and bustle of city life. But his heart longed for something more meaningful and sustainable. That’s when he moved back to his village and invested in the free-range country chicken farming, focusing on pure Gavran chicken. He did not just start small – he built his dream with vision and persistence. On four acres of farmland, Ajay has set up: 3–4 poultry sheds covering 12,000 sq. ft. A feed processing unit A hatchery section Special brooding chambers for young chicks And today, he manage...

If you are planning to start country chicken farming in India, chances are you’ve already watched multiple YouTube videos, read a few blogs, and gathered some insights. That’s awesome—you’re already halfway there.  But let me tell you this: the best tips don’t always come from textbooks or training programs; they come straight from the farmers who are doing it on the ground every single day. So, in this post, I will share some valuable free range poultry farming tips inspired by Avinash, a graduate-turned-farmer who started small and built a sustainable model. His story is not just about chickens, eggs, and meat—it’s about creativity, consistency, and smart thinking. Stay till the end, because I will also share two important links: A Kannada YouTube video where Avinash shares his poultry journey in his own words. A story of a cab driver who turned into a poultry farmer and now manages 3,000 chickens, collecting 2,000 eggs per day. Why Country Chicken Farming? Country Chicken Farmi...

If you are planning to setup a poultry farming (country chicken farming), you got to read this post. I recently came across an interesting video on YouTube about a car driver who turned into a successful country chicken (Nati Koli) farmer. His story is not just inspiring, but it also carries a lot of practical lessons for anyone who dreams of starting poultry farming in India. ( Credit: Boss Walla Farming (Kannada) – this story is inspired by their video. I’ve added my own analysis and insights for you.) Country Chicken Farming in just 10 Guntas On his small piece of land—just 10 guntas—this farmer manages around 3,000 country chickens. He started with day-old chicks, which required a lot of care. For the first 21 days, he kept them in a brooder with lighting and warmth at around 90°F, feeding them three times daily with broken corn, ragi, and rice. After three weeks, he shifted them to free-range farming—letting them roam outside during the day and returning to the shed at night. One...