So you may be thinking whether to start rearing free-range chickens but still not sure. In this article, I will share with you six reasons why you should consider free-range chickens as an income-generating venture.

In Zimbabwe, free-range chicken farming has been with us for a long time. Remember our grandparents used to keep roadrunners commonly known as “huku yechibhoyi” in Shona or “nkukhu makhaya” in Ndebele.

It was only in the last few years that free-range chicken farming became popular and was commercialized by several individuals and the Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association (ZFRPA). Today, free-range chicken farming has taken Zimbabwe by storm as many farmers are now rearing roadrunners.

Several names have been coined such as free-range chickens, roadrunner chickens, organic chickens or indigenous chickens. However, it all refers to one and the same thing.




Proper free-range chicken farming involves the chickens being allowed more room to roam around and forage for their own feed as opposed to being confined in cages like the case with broilers. So you really need to have space for the birds to freely run around.

Popular roadrunner chicken breeds in Zimbabwe include Boschvelds, Kuroilers, Black Australorps, Koekoeks, Sasso, Rhode Island, Light Sussex, Leghorns, and Jersey Giants, among others.

Here are the six reasons why I think you should consider free-range chicken farming:

1. Free-range chickens are in high demand

There is so much high demand for free range chickens these days. This can be attributed to the quality of meat and eggs provided by roadrunners which is tastier and healthier.

Roadrunners that are properly allowed to roam around develop stronger muscles and the meat is much firmer and rich in nutrients. Roadrunners eat different types of feeds such as worms, insects and grass which adds so much value to the meat and egg nutrient quality. 

Restaurants and retail shops are actually looking for poultry farmers who can supply roadrunner meat and eggs on a consistent basis. With proper advertising like in the Classifieds where you can post an advert for free, you can find a market for your roadrunner meat or eggs.



2. Roadrunners are dual-purpose birds

Roadrunner chickens can be kept for meat and eggs. For instance, one can keep Sasso chicken breed for meat and in 8-11 weeks can start selling off the birds for consumption and get revenue.

Keeping the same birds for longer also allows one to harvest table or fertilized eggs starting from 20 weeks onwards. The birds can lay for up to a year or two and can also be sold as off-layers for a much higher price as well. 

3. Indigenous chickens are resistant to diseases

Indigenous chickens are much more resistant to diseases and also record much lower mortality rates. This is more to do with the genetics of the birds which makes them stronger and low risk in terms of mortalities.

Roadrunners are hardy birds and have the ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Utilizing natural herbs such as aloe vera (gavakava) and chilies (mhiripiri) also helps keep the roadrunners stay healthy and fit without much need for costly antibiotics.



4. Free-range chickens are much cheaper to keep 

Feed accounts for around 70-80% of costs in poultry production. The ability to manage feed costs provides a farmer with room to maximize profits. Free-range chickens are much cheaper to rear as the birds can forage or scavenge for their own feed.

One can feed the birds with kitchen waste or food leftovers, sorghum, rapoko, green vegetables, plants such as blackjack (mutsine) and even red worms normally used for fish bait.

Supplementary feed can also be provided through commercial feeds bought from local poultry feed manufacturers such as starter mash, growers mash, layers of breeder mash. For contacts of popular feed suppliers, you can check the Classifieds and Business Directory.

Most people always find that keeping free-range chickens is also less stressful as compared to other types of birds such as broilers.



5. Roadrunner chickens fetch higher selling price

The price of free-range meat and eggs is always much higher largely due to the quality and scarcity of the product. Roadrunner fertilized eggs, chicks, meat or table eggs all sell for a much higher price yet the production costs are much lower.

6. Free-range chickens are good for breeding

Most roadrunner breeds can hatch their own chicks. This means you can start with a few hens and cocks. The ideal ratio is 1 cock to 5 hens. These hens can lay eggs that can be hatched into chicks and the cycle continues. You can start small and grow the project at a low cost.

So if you have space for free-range chickens to roam around, you should seriously consider investing in keeping these birds.

Did you find this article helpful? Leave a comment below or subscribe to my free Email Newsletter and also like The Poultry Shop Facebook page. Thanks!