Lesotho poultry farmers urged to match production with market demand

Poultry farmers in Teyateyaneng, Lesotho, have been encouraged to base production decisions on market demand to improve product quality, maintain reliable supplies and strengthen the sustainability of their businesses

The guidance was delivered during a three-day workshop for broiler and layer farmers organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition at the Teyateyaneng Resource Centre. The training introduced participants to the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach.

Agricultural assistant Joalane Mekeleli explained that the SHEP approach encourages farmers to identify potential markets before beginning production, enabling them to tailor their products to customer expectations.

She noted that shortcomings in poultry production practices needed to be addressed, particularly in feeding and farm management, to ensure farmers could meet market requirements. She also urged producers to apply consistent feeding practices and maintain a steady supply of poultry products to support business continuity.

Livestock Area Technical Officer Mrs Itumeleng Lekhafola Masupha provided guidance on selecting appropriate sites for poultry farms, advising farmers to consider future expansion when choosing locations.

She recommended avoiding marshy areas and sites with excessive moisture. Trees close to poultry houses should also be avoided because they can restrict airflow and attract birds that may carry diseases capable of infecting chickens.

Farmers were advised to choose warm sites where electricity or solar power could supply lighting and heating for poultry housing.

Poultry housing and equipment

Masupha said farmers could choose poultry house lengths according to their operational requirements, while recommending a width of 12 metres.

She outlined several housing requirements, including floors designed to prevent water accumulation, sufficient lighting, mesh openings to support ventilation and ceilings that stop rainwater from dripping into the buildings.

Essential equipment for poultry operations includes feeders, drinkers, weighing scales, thermometers and cages for laying hens.

Farmers can select from several heating options, such as gas brooders, electric brooders, infrared heaters, coal stoves and gas heaters. However, Mrs Masupha advised choosing systems that generate as little smoke as possible to protect poultry health.

Other necessary supplies include feed, medication, record-keeping materials such as a book and pen, and cleaning tools including a wheelbarrow and spade.

Chick care, feeding and hygiene

For chick rearing, Masupha recommended preparing brooders measuring between 30 and 60 centimetres and laying bedding material to a depth of five to 10 centimetres.

Suitable bedding can include sawdust or grass, which should be covered with newspaper to prevent chicks from consuming the material.

She stressed that chicks need adequate warmth until they reach three weeks of age, with supplementary heating potentially required during particularly cold conditions.

Maintaining hygiene is also essential to preventing disease. Masupha advised farmers to wash and rinse poultry houses before applying disinfectants to eliminate germs. Daily cleaning, together with the use of sanitisers and footbaths, was encouraged as part of routine biosecurity practices.

Farmers producing eggs were also advised to remove broken eggs before collecting intact ones to minimise the risk of contamination.

Matching products to customer needs

The workshop highlighted the importance of understanding consumer preferences when preparing poultry products for sale. Some buyers may prefer particular chicken portions rather than purchasing whole birds, making it important for farmers to consider demand when deciding how to present their products.

Improving product quality was also identified as a priority for producers seeking to compete in international markets.

The training programme is expected to address feeding practices further and help farmers understand how to engage with different markets, identify their requirements and align production accordingly.