How to Start Country Chicken Farming – Tips from a Farmer’s Success Story
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?
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| Country Chicken Farming - Farmers Experience |
This model is perfect if:
- You have a small piece of land.
- You want a side business that doesn’t eat up your whole day.
- You believe in organic, natural farming practices.
Avinash himself started with this mindset and has successfully proved that it works.
How to Start a Free-Range Poultry Business
The beauty of country chicken farming is that you don’t need a huge investment.
- Land requirement: A small piece of land is enough if you’re starting with 50–200 birds.
- Poultry shed: Do not go overboard. Avinash built his own shed with the help of his family for less than ₹30,000. You can save even more by using second-hand materials.
- Initial stock: Start with 50–100 chicks. This gives you room to learn without risking too much money.
Remember, the goal is to start small, learn fast, and scale up.
Learning from Avinash’s Journey
Avinash began with 80 free-range chickens and gradually expanded. Here’s what he learned along the way:
Egg production cycle:
- Old hens (stewing hens) that stop laying eggs should be sold for meat.
- When your flock is small, it’s easier to monitor egg-laying patterns and separate non-layers.
Free-range method:
- Let your chickens roam during the day.
- They will naturally return to the shed in the evening.
- This keeps them active and reduces feeding costs since they forage for insects and greens.
Clean water and hygiene:
- Always provide fresh water.
- Keep the shed free of dirt, leftover food, and stagnant water.
- Clean surroundings = healthier chickens = fewer medicines.
Feeding strategy:
- Don’t overfeed paddy as it increases fat, which affects health.
- Avinash rotates feed: paddy in the morning, and ragi, corn, or wheat in the afternoon on alternate days.
- Balanced feeding ensures healthier growth and better egg quality.
Health care:
- His chickens rarely fall sick because of good hygiene.
- Medicines are given only when absolutely necessary.
Brooding and Chick Management
If you are planning to start with 100–200 chicks, keep the brooding setup simple. You do not need expensive equipment.
👉 Avinash used an old tire as a brooder—a perfect example of how to be resourceful.
Key brooding tips:
- Provide enough food and clean water.
- Let chicks move around freely.
- Ensure proper ventilation and moderate warmth.
- Remember: Original country chickens take at least 8 months to start laying eggs.
Profit Calculation – Example with 100 Chickens
Let’s break this down with a simple example:
- Daily eggs: 100 chickens = ~20 eggs per day.
- Sell 15 eggs/day: In one month, that’s 450 eggs × ₹15 = ₹6,750.
- Save 5 eggs/day for brooding: That’s 150 eggs per month. If 100 hatch, selling them at ₹100 each = ₹10,000.
- Parent chickens: Old hens that stop laying can be sold for meat.
👉 Total potential monthly income (eggs + chicks) = ₹16,750 (not including meat sales).
This is why many small farmers prefer country chicken farming over broilers—it’s less risky, more sustainable, and still profitable.
Why Choose Pure Country Chicken (Nati Koli)?
Avinash stresses the importance of choosing pure country chicken instead of coloured hybrids. Here’s why:
- Pure Nati Koli is hardy and low maintenance.
- Needs only 15–30 minutes a day (morning and evening).
- They can forage naturally, reducing feed costs.
- They don’t fall sick often if kept clean.
- Growth rate:
- Hens: 1–1.5 kg in a year.
- Roosters: Up to 2 kg in a year.
- Better demand in the market due to taste, texture, and nutritional value.
Sustainability Benefits
Apart from direct income, country chicken farming brings hidden advantages:
- Chickens improve soil fertility naturally.
- Reduced use of chemical fertilizers.
- Helps maintain a balanced farm ecosystem.
- Builds a side income without demanding full-time effort.
This is why many farmers combine Nati Koli farming with crop cultivation for a more holistic income model.
Final Word – Start Small, Think Big
Country chicken farming isn’t about rushing to scale up; it is about starting small, learning, and growing gradually.
Avinash’s story proves that you don’t need lakhs of rupees to begin—you just need creativity, consistency, and a willingness to learn. With just 15–30 minutes of daily care, you can build a profitable business that not only provides income but also strengthens your farming ecosystem.
So, if you’ve been thinking about it, stop overthinking. Get started with 50–100 birds, keep costs low, and learn from your experience and from farmers like Avinash.
References & Stories
👉 Watch Avinash’s Kannada YouTube Video.
👉 Read about the cab driver turned poultry farmer.
✅ With these country chicken farming tips, you are now ready to take the first step toward your own free range poultry business.
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