Who these birds are for
Broilers and commercial layers need full feeding and careful housing. Dual-purpose birds are more forgiving. They find part of their own feed, they handle heat better, and buyers pay well for their firmer, tastier meat. They grow more slowly, so plan for months, not weeks.
The breeds
Sasso is a coloured, slow-growing French bird. With decent feed it reaches about 2 kg in ten to twelve weeks, and the hens lay a fair number of eggs afterwards.
Kuroiler was developed in India for village farms. It is a strong scavenger that grows much heavier than local chickens on kitchen scraps and forage, and the hens lay far more eggs than a local hen.
Noiler was bred in Nigeria for West African conditions. It tolerates disease and low-input feeding, and is heavier than local fowl at the same age.
Plymouth Rock and Australorp are calm heritage breeds. The barred Plymouth Rock and the black Australorp both lay well and still dress out as a heavy table bird.
White cockerels are the male chicks of layer strains. They are the lowest-cost way into poultry. They take four to five months to reach about 2 kg and sell well live at Christmas and Easter.
Current prices
| Bird | Each, from | Box of 50, from |
|---|---|---|
| Sasso | GH₵ 13 | GH₵ 650 |
| Kuroiler | GH₵ 11 | GH₵ 550 |
| Noiler | GH₵ 11 | GH₵ 550 |
| Plymouth Rock / Barred Rock | GH₵ 7 | GH₵ 350 |
| Australorp | Ask for today's price | – |
| White cockerels | GH₵ 3 | GH₵ 150 |
How to raise them
- Brood them first. For the first four weeks they need the same warmth as any chick. Follow the brooding guide.
- Then let them range. Give them a dry, secure shelter at night and space to forage in the day.
- Top up their feed. Birds that only scavenge grow slowly. A daily ration of grower feed or maize and soya makes a clear difference.
- Vaccinate against Newcastle disease. It is the main killer of free-range chickens in Ghana and it can wipe out a flock in days.
- Protect them. Hawks, snakes and thieves take more free-range birds than disease does on many farms.
Questions farmers ask
Which is better, Sasso or Kuroiler?
Sasso grows a little faster and is mainly kept for meat. Kuroiler is the stronger scavenger and lays more eggs. For free range with little bought feed, choose Kuroiler or Noiler. For faster meat with regular feeding, choose Sasso.
How long do cockerels take to grow?
White cockerels take about four to five months to reach roughly 2 kg. They grow slowly but they are hardy and the chicks cost very little.
Can I keep dual-purpose birds without a poultry house?
They still need a dry, secure shelter at night and a warm brooder for the first four weeks. After that they can spend the day on free range.