Legbar chicken farming is less popular. But it is a very good egg laying breed which is raised mainly for eggs production purpose. It is not among the best egg layers, but it lays a moderate number of eggs which is enough for small family.
It is a British breed which was created by Reginald Crundall Punnett and Michael Pease. It was developed in the early 20th Century and is now a rare breed. It was developed in the Genetical Institute of Cambridge University.
The main aim for creating Legbar chicken was to create an utility breed with a focus on eggs laying. The males and females are easily identified by their color after their birth.
The developers of this breed used a cross breeding programme with two excellent egg layers; the Leghorn and the Barred Plymouth Rock chicken.
The Gold Legbar chicken was standardized in 1945, and was created by crossing Brown Leghorn and Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. And the Silver Legbar chicken was created by crossing the Gold Legbar with Silver Cambar and White Leghorn in 1951.
And the Cream Legbar chicken variety was created by crossing White Leghorn and Araucana chicken. This variety was standardized in 1958, but nearly died in the 1970s. Because the blue eggs were not in demand.
However, as these birds are good egg layers, so starting commercial Legbar chicken farming business will be profitable. Both meat and eggs of chicken have very good demand and value in the market. So, you will be able to make good profit from commercial Legbar chicken farming business. And at the same time you will be able to help this breed to recover it’s population.
How to Start Legbar Chicken Farming
Starting commercial Legbar chicken farming business is just like starting a chicken farming business with any other domestic chicken breeds. These birds are very easy to raise and handle.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Legbar 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 commercial Legbar chicken farming business. Purchasing good quality birds is very important, because good quality birds ensure good production and maximum profits.
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 very high prices 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 poultry chick suppliers, chicken breeding centers or any existing Legbar chicken farms (if there is any). You can also consider searching your local online classified websites. Just ensure that the chicks are active and healthy.
Housing
Arranging a good, comfortable and secure housing system is important for Legbar chicken farming business. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from wild predators and adverse weather conditions.
The type of the house can be any depending on your budget and also on the availability of materials. 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.
Install good ventilation system inside the house. Good ventilation system is important, because it helps to reduce harmful gases from inside the house and keeps the birds healthy.
Also 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 Legbar chickens are large breed, and a mature bird will require around 5 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Legbar chicken farming business. Good food not only helps the birds 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 chickens.
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 Legbar 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 improve the quality of the products.
Breeding
Like many other domestic chicken breeds, the Legbar 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 mature rooster is enough for breeding around or up to 10 hens.
Caring
Taking additional caring will help the birds to grow better and produce more. So try to take extra care of your birds. Monitor their 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 is not a problem. Because both meat and eggs of chicken have very good demand and value in the market. So, you will probably be able to easily sell the products in your local market. Although it will be better if you can determine your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Legbar chicken farming business. Raising Legbar chickens is very easy and simple, even the beginners can also raise them. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
