Eswatini's Makhaya chicken farmers are being encouraged to adopt a new approach to generate income at every stage of the production cycle. According to Nozizwe Ginindza, founder of ButterNice Farms, many new farmers assume revenue only comes at the end of the cycle, when mature birds are sold. This forces them to hold stock for weeks while carrying feed and management costs without income. Ginindza was speaking in Kakholwane during a farmer’s day with Khuba Traders and Arrow Feeds.
Ginindza shared her farm's strategy of creating customers for each growth stage, from day-old chicks to one week, two weeks and up to six weeks and beyond. Each stage is advertised and sold, allowing cash flow throughout the month from the same flock. This approach has given ButterNice Farms an edge, as the business does not hold quietly until market. Selling from early stages, including what Ginindza referred to as Lamate bones, ensures steady revenue.
The importance of breeding its own stock is central to ButterNice Farms' model, as it allows the farm to have birds available at different ages consistently. Ginindza said her farm previously kept 600 to 800 chickens at any given time, but has since changed its operations after learning that more birds do not automatically translate into more profit. The farm now focuses on a more manageable and sustainable approach.
A successful Makhaya chicken business is not measured by how many birds are walking around the yard, Ginindza said. Large flocks increase financial pressure because every additional bird must be fed, protected and managed. That financial stress also increases vulnerability to biosecurity challenges, including diseases. When a farmer is stretched financially, management lapses become more likely and the risk of losing birds rises.
Ginindza advises emerging farmers to start small, learn production, understand their customers and grow gradually. Instead of bringing in hundreds of chicks at once, she recommends staggering deliveries on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. This allows farmers to make mistakes on a smaller scale, learn from them and avoid blowing up the business.
Because Makhaya chickens can be sold at every stage, farmers have the option to liquidate part of the flock when needed. Selling a portion at one week or two weeks can ease feed pressure and provide working capital while the rest of the flock continues to grow. Ginindza also cautioned farmers against overcomplicating Makhaya chicken production, saying the birds do well when allowed to run naturally in a simple setup.
Commercialising Makhaya chickens, according to Ginindza, is about doing what is done naturally, but on a larger and more organised scale. To meet growing market demand without carrying all the product, farmers must be willing to adapt and innovate. By adopting a flexible and sustainable approach, Eswatini's Makhaya chicken farmers can increase their chances of success and contribute to the country's agricultural growth.
Key points
- Makhaya chicken farmers can generate income at every stage of production.
- Large flocks increase financial pressure and vulnerability to biosecurity challenges.
- Emerging farmers are advised to start small and grow gradually.
