Houdan chicken farming is popular, especially in it’s native area. It was raised as a dual-purpose breed, but today it is raised mainly as an ornamental breed. It is actually known for it’s large white eggs and also for it’s fine quality meat.
The breed is known as Poule de Houdan in French, and once known as the Normandy fowl. The Houdan chickens were originated from France and they were known even before 1700. And it was raised extensively on many small farms near the village of Houdan in France.
These birds are named for their area of origin, the commune of Houdan, in the department of Yvelines to the west of Paris. The breed was once valued in France for their large sized eggs and fine quality white meat. But today, the Houdan chickens are considered as an ornamental breed.
It is actually unclear when and exactly how this breed was developed. But it is possibly a cross of the Polish or Dorking chicken and Crevecoeur chicken breed along with five-toed native chickens.
The Houdan chicken was originally created as a dual-purpose utility breed. And the breed was first imported into the North America in 1865 and to the England in 1850. And the breed was admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1874. There is also a bantam version of this breed available.
However, as these birds are good dual purpose birds, so commercial Houdan chicken farming can be a profitable business. You can also raise this birds for ornamental purpose if you can easily sell the birds in your local market.
How to Start Houdan Chicken Farming
The Houdan chickens are just like many other common domestic chicken breeds. They are very strong and hardy birds and they generally require less caring and other management.
So starting commercial Houdan chicken farming business will be relatively easy. Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Houdan 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 Houdan chicken farming business. Purchasing good quality and healthy birds is very important, because good quality birds are the key to successful business.
You can purchase either day old chicks or mature birds depending on the price and availability in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at a very high price in the market. While 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 poultry chicks suppliers, chicken breeding centers or existing Houdan chicken farms. Just ensure that the chicks are strong, active and healthy.
Housing
Making a good, comfortable and secure housing system is very important for Houdan chicken farming business. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy but also helps them to stay safe 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 safe for your birds.
Install good ventilation system while building the house. Because good ventilation system is a must, and it keeps harmful gas out of the house. And your birds will remain healthy.
Ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. And make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. The Houdan chickens are classed as a heavy breed, so a mature bird will require around or up to 5 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Houdan chicken farming business. So always try to feed your chickens with enough good and nutritious food.
You can feed your chickens either with ready-made/commercial poultry feeds, or prepare the feeds of your own. Just ensure that the food is good and nutritious for your chickens.
Never feed your chickens with contaminated feeds and always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water.
The Houdan chickens are good for raising in both confined and free range system. But raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs. And at the same time free range chickens will produce better quality products.
Breeding
The Houdan 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 Houdan chickens are naturally very strong and hardy birds. So they will require relatively less caring and other management. Although taking additional caring will help them to grow better, stay healthy 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 them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet.
Marketing
Marketing chicken products is not a problem. Both meat and eggs of the chicken have very good demand and value in the market. So 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 if you are willing to sell ornamental birds.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Houdan chicken farming business. The Houdan chickens are very strong and hardy.
So raising them is relatively easy. You will be able to raise them easily even if you are a beginner. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
