Lamona chicken farming is popular for both meat and eggs production purpose. Because it is a very good dual purpose breed of domestic chicken which is good for both meat and eggs production purpose, and it is also a fast growing breed.
Commercial Lamona chicken farming gained a short popularity in the first half of the 20th Century, due to it’s strong production characteristics. But most of the commercial chicken farms switched to another highly productive breeds after the 1950s. And thus Lamona chicken lost it’s popularity.
Most of the farmers then switched to two breeds that dominated the poultry industry into the 21st Century. One of these breeds is Cornish Rock hybrid for meat production and another one is White Leghorn for Eggs production.
The Lamona chicken breed was developed by Harry S. Lamon in the early 20th Century (who was the senior poultry expert at the Bureau of Animal Industry).
Harry S. Lamon crossed Silver-Gray Dorkings, White Leghorns and White Plymouth Rocks for producing the Lamona chicken. The breed was recognized as a breed and admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in the year of 1933.
There is also a bantam version of this breed available, which is also recognized by the American Poultry Association and admitted into it’s Standard of Perfection in 1960. Today, the original Lamona chickens are very rare. And the breed is listed in the Study category of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List. But the bantam version is highly available.
However, as these birds are good for both meat and eggs production purpose, so starting commercial Lamona chicken farming business will be profitable if you can manage everything perfectly.
How to Start Lamona Chicken Farming
The Lamona chickens are very strong and hardy birds. And raising them is relatively easy, just like many other domestic chicken breeds. Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Lamona 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 Lamona chicken farming business. Purchasing good quality and healthy birds is the key to successful Lamona chicken farming business.
You can purchase either mature birds or day old chicks depending on the availability and price in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at a very high price in the market. On the other hand the day old chicks are relatively cheaper. So we recommend starting with day old chicks.
You can purchase the chicks from any of your nearest chicken breeding centers, poultry chick suppliers or any existing Lamona chicken farms. Just ensure that the chicks are healthy and active. You can also consider searching your local online classified websites for purchasing chicks.
Housing
Making a good, comfortable and secure housing system is important for Lamona 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.
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 house is good and secure for your birds.
Install good ventilation system inside the house while building the house. Good ventilation system helps to reduce gas from inside the house, and keeps your birds healthy. Also ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house.
Make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. The Lamona chickens are classed as a large breed. So each mature bird will require around or up to 5-6 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of Lamona chicken farming business. So always try to feed your chickens with very good quality and nutritious food.
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 healthy for your birds. You can ask for help from an expert if you are a beginner.
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 Lamona chickens are good for raising in both confinement and free range system. But raising them in free range system will help to reduce feeding costs. And at the same time it will help to increase the quality of the products.
Breeding
The Lamona chickens are naturally very good 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 Lamona chickens are generally very strong and hardy birds. So they require relatively less caring and other management. Although taking additional caring 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 is not a problem. Because both meat and eggs of the chicken have very good demand and value in the market. You will probably be able to easily sell your products in the local market. Although you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Lamona chicken farming business. The Lamona chickens are generally very strong and hardy birds, so raising them commercially is very easy. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
