Farming has grown in popularity in recent years. Particularly relevant is the almost waste-free business, which includes goose breeding. Let’s take a closer look at this production and how to properly organize everything in order to minimize possible costs and maximize profits.
Breeding geese as a business: profitable or not?
For many years, geese have been a symbol of prosperity. Many are interested in whether it is possible to make money on farming and how long it may take to get the first net profit.
Now breeding these birds on a farm scale is a fairly profitable business that has several directions.
Did you know? Most bones in birds are hollow inside. This significantly reduces weight and helps in flight.
Benefits and profit
- Today, most poultry farmers decide to breed geese for business. The advantages of this case are:
- the possibility of increasing the size of the farm and services;
- ease of content;
- profit from a large number of products;
- minimum start;
- fairly quick net profit.
Important! A well-designed business can recoup all the costs of an average farm in a year. Large poultry houses will require other costs and the payback time will be increased.
This is due to the fact that these birds are bred not only for meat, but also to generate income from other products:
- Goose liver. Popular among restaurants, due to the fact that it is used to prepare such a delicacy as foie gras.
- Eggs. Today, many people love to use this product.
- Feather and down. Used in the manufacture of pillows and blankets.
- Young. A good income can be obtained from its sale.
- Note. The production is so waste-free that even bird waste can be sold as fertilizer.
Disadvantages and costs
- Every business has a negative side as well. Growing geese also has disadvantages:
- there is a chance of a herd loss;
- products may not be in demand in a certain region;
- business is organized outside the city.
In addition to income, any business has costs. Consider what breeding geese have:
- acquisition of a plot for a farm of up to 150 birds with an area of at least 1 ha;
- official registration of documents and entrepreneurship;
- good quality grain will also require financial investments, it is better to buy it from official sellers in order to be completely sure of the quality;
- the purchase of a herd must also be carried out from certified sellers;
- birds are recommended to be vaccinated 2 times a year. These procedures require money.
Fundamentals of Successful Goose Breeding
To maximize profits and minimize costs, it is important to know the basics of proper breeding of geese:
- Careful preparation, namely the determination of the initial number of livestock, the construction of the premises and the preliminary purchase of feed.
- Communication with experienced farmers will help answer your questions.
- Only then can you buy young animals. It is important to choose the right breed, success depends on it.
- When forming pairs, you can not mix birds that have family ties. Since their offspring will gain weight worse, and other qualities of the breed will deteriorate.
- An adult male is used for offspring for no more than 10 years. On average, there are 4 females per drake.
- Every year you need to replenish the herd with young individuals, their number should be approximately 25% of the total.
Drawing up a business plan with calculations
One of the main components of planning any business is a business plan, which presents the volume of costs and profits. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with an exemplary business plan, which represents the level of costs for a farm in which there are 1 thousand geese.
Estimated annual costs include:
- a place to live and graze (purchase or rent) – 250 thousand rubles;
- repair of the structure and purchase of equipment – 170 thousand rubles;
- paperwork – 17 thousand rubles;
- purchase of goslings – 200 thousand rubles;
- feed and operating costs – 700 thousand rubles.
As a result, investments amount to approximately 1 thousand rubles.
Did you know? Geese are loyal companions. At the age of 3 years, they create a couple with whom they remain for life. Even after the death of one, the other spends several more years in grief and sorrow.
Based on this, it is easy to calculate the annual income of a farm with 800 geese and 200 drakes. It is taken as initial data that the female introduces 7 goslings throughout the year. When they reach commercial maturity, the income from the sale of 1 poultry meat will be an average of 750 rubles, from the sale of liver – 500 rubles, 1 kg of fluff – 20 rubles. The total profit for the year will be about 1 thousand rubles. Taxes will reduce this amount a little. You also need to take into account unforeseen expenses. On average, the payback period for a farm with a livestock of 500 thousand heads takes about 1 years.
How to start breeding
To understand how to succeed in this business, it is important to understand where to start and in what sequence.
Breed selection
When choosing a breed for breeding on farms, it is important to consider the following factors:
- in what climatic conditions will the birds be bred;
- what is their productivity?
- the level of resistance to various diseases;
- features of their feeding.
The following breeds are widely used:
Poultry house
The place where the goose house will be built should be on a hill, while it is important to allocate a place under the water and a pasture. The best option for placing the facade is to the south. In this direction, it is important to build a paddock for winter walking.
The height of the foundation for protection against pests is at least 25 cm. A small trench is dug around the perimeter. Additionally, when pouring the foundation, it is recommended to add broken glass.
The frame for future walls is made of bars or metal corners. The walls are sheathed with boards, the thickness of which is not more than 30 cm. If the winters in your place are severe, they are additionally insulated. Inside, finishing is carried out with plywood, and externally it is recommended to sheathe OSB.
The floors are only wooden, topped with sawdust and carpentry shavings. It is better to place the windows on the south side. The roof is satisfied with any available material.
In addition, you need to purchase the following equipment for maintenance:
- fixtures;
- feeders;
- vacuum drinkers;
- buckets;
- rake;
- shovels;
- brooms.
Feeders and drinkers must meet the following requirements:
- they should be enough so that the birds do not fight for food;
- it is better to choose wooden containers for food and hang them to a height of about 15 cm;
- for water take buckets or other containers.
Feeding
The nutrition of birds should also not be deprived of attention. Feeding may be:
- wet;
- dry;
- combined.
The feed base should include the following products:
- greenery;
- roots;
- cabbage;
- pumpkin;
- fish waste;
- serum;
- silage.
For breeding, it should be borne in mind that an adult goose eats about 1 kg of greens per day. When it is not possible to provide access to the grass, the bird needs to be supplemented.
The daily diet of 1 individual is approximately as follows:
- root vegetables – 0,5 kg;
- carrots – 100 g;
- hay – 150 g;
- cereals – 70 g;
- mineral feed – 25 g.
In addition, it is important to give concentrated food.
Product sales and distribution channels
The goose business brings good benefits, since after slaughter you can sell:
- meat;
- giblets;
- eggs;
- feather;
- fluff.
Potential clients can be:
- butcher shops and restaurants;
- egg shops;
- manufacturers of pillows and blankets;
- private persons;
- other farmers.
In addition, you can resort to additional advertising in the newspaper, the Internet and even on the radio. Often summer residents and gardeners also purchase goose droppings, but this is only possible with a certificate from a veterinary clinic.
Important! After identifying potential customers, you need to start making contacts. It is important to interest potential customers in the benefits of working with you.
Calculation of income and profitability
A significant advantage of the initial expenditure is a quick payback. To achieve the optimal weight for slaughter (5 kg), the bird will need about 3 months. The optimal weight – 10 kg is obtained in 3,5 months. Almost all breeds have a high egg production rate, about 70 eggs per month. In addition, other products are in demand on the market.
One carcass with a weight of 5 kg costs about 400 rubles. A heavier one can bring an income of 700 rubles. The average farm has about 1 thousand heads. Therefore, you can get an income of about 2 million rubles. Knowing all the costs and incomes, we can calculate that the profitability of the goose business is up to 80%.
Useful tips for beginners
Despite the seeming simplicity, novice poultry farmers may encounter some difficulties. To minimize their appearance, you need to follow some recommendations:
- before opening a farm, carefully study the conditions for keeping geese;
- to begin with, select the most unpretentious and hardy breed for breeding;
- buy chicks only from trusted farmers;
- keep the room clean;
- systematically ventilate the place where the bird is kept;
- regularly clean and disinfect the poultry house;
- to minimize the cost of buying young animals, leave a certain number of birds for offspring before slaughter;
- the next day after birth, the chicks are given a weak solution of potassium permanganate for general strengthening;
- during the first 2 months of life, it is recommended to give drugs for immunity.
If you are completely confident in your abilities and know how to farm firsthand, then goose breeding is for you. The most important thing is to draw up an accurate business plan and assess all possible risks. Only careful preparation and desire will lead to a positive result.
