Sebright chicken farming is popular, especially in the areas where this breed is available. It is a very beautiful breed of domestic chicken which is raised mainly for ornamental purpose. The breed is popular probably mainly for it’s smaller size.
The Sebright chicken is one of the true bantam chicken breeds. That means it is not a miniaturized version of large birds, and there is no standard or large version of this breed available.
The Sebright chicken breed was originated in the United Kingdom. It was developed by Sir John Saunders Sebright early in the 1800s. And the breed has the distinction of being the only breed of chicken named for an individual.
Sir John Saunders Sebright created the Sebright chicken breed having the intent of developing an exhibition bird with striking plumage. And this breed is one of the oldest British true bantam chicken breed.
The details of the exact birds used for creating the Sebright chicken breed are still unknown. But Nankin, Hamburg, Polish and Rosecomb chickens are thought to play a very important role in the development of the Sebright chicken breed.
The Sebright chicken breed was admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in the year of 1874. And today, it is one of the 10 most popular bantam chicken breeds (according to the American Bantam Association).
Today the Sebright chicken breed is raised mainly as an ornamental breed. And it is listed in the Watch category of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List.
However, as the Sebright chickens are raised mainly for ornamental purposes, so starting commercial Sebright chicken farming business will be profitable if you can easily market the ornamental birds in your area.
How to Start Sebright Chicken Farming
Starting Sebright chicken farming business is every easy and simple. The Sebright chickens are just like many other domestic chickens and raising them is relatively easy.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Sebright chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Chickens
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy, active and disease free birds for starting your Sebright chicken farming business. Good quality birds ensure good production and maximum profits.
You can purchase either mature birds or day old chicks depending on the price and availability in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at very high price in the market, but 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 chicken breeding centers, poultry chick suppliers or any existing Sebright chicken farms. You can also search your local online classified websites. Just ensure that the chicks are very strong and active.
Housing
Making a good housing system is important for Sebright chicken farming business. A good house not only help 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 (such as bamboo or wood). Just ensure that the house is secure and comfortable for the birds.
Install good ventilation system while building the house. Good ventilation system helps to remove harmful gases from inside the house and keeps your birds healthy. So, install good ventilation system.
Build the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. And clean the house on a regular basis (for example, once or twice a week).
Ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. The Sebright chickens are bantam birds and they generally require less housing space. Generally a mature bird will require around or up to 4 square feet of housing space. But it will be better if you can arrange more space for them, as they are ornamental birds.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of Sebright chicken farming business. Because good food not only helps them 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 birds.
Never feed your birds with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.
The Sebright chickens are good for raising in both confinement and free range system. But raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs, and at the same time it will keeps your birds healthy and they will produce better quality products.
Breeding
Like many other domestic chicken breeds, the Sebright chickens are also naturally very good breeders. 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. The hens rarely go broody and the chicks generally have high mortality rates.
Caring
The mature Sebright chickens are generally very strong, hardy and active birds. They generally require less caring and other management. But taking additional care will help the birds to grow well and produce more.
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 or eggs) is not a problem. Because both meat and eggs of chickens have very good demand and value in the market. But the demand for ornamental birds is not same in all places. So, determine your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common ways and steps for starting and operating a successful Sebright chicken farming business. Raising Sebright chickens commercially is easy and very profitable if you can market the birds easily. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
