The poultry market in India is expected to reach ₹843,000 crore by 2033 from ₹230,400 crore in 2024. This market growth offers a space for many new entrepreneurs to start a new and successful business. There are many poultry farming business ideas that you can pursue to start a business that offers high profit margins and grows quickly.

The business ideas require minimal investment but offer good profit potential. Also, there is a consistent demand for poultry products throughout the year. In this blog, we’ll understand the top poultry farm business ideas and how to start them.

Understanding the Poultry Farming Sector

The poultry industry has been growing rapidly in India in recent years due to growing consumption. Chicken meat and eggs are low-cost sources of protein, and more and more people are consuming them nowadays. Poultry items are also required on a frequent basis by hotels, restaurants, and food chains.

You can start poultry and chicken farming at various scales. You can start backyard farming with just a few chickens, small-scale farming with 500–1000 birds, or even commercial farming with more than 10,000 birds. With good investment and management, you can get good returns even as a small-scale farmer.

Best Poultry Farming Business Ideas in India (2025)

Here are the top 5 poultry farming business ideas in India that you can start in 2025:

1. Meat (Broiler) Farming

Broiler chicken farming involves bringing up and caring for chickens until they are fully grown to produce meat. It offers quick returns as chicks gain market weight within 5-7 weeks. The poultry meat market in India is growing due to increased protein demand and the development of fast food restaurants. As an entrepreneur, you can either begin small or enter contract farming networks.

2. Egg (Layer) Farming

Egg farming involves raising layer hens to produce eggs regularly. As India yields more than 138 billion eggs, the industry will be a consistent source of income and reduced price fluctuations as opposed to meat production. There is an increase in demand for affordable protein and branded or organic eggs. This demand makes egg farming a successful business idea that you can start with minimal investment.

3. Poultry Feed Manufacturing

The largest cost element in poultry farming is feed, which is almost 70% of the total costs. The profitability of starting a feed manufacturing or retailing unit can be very high, particularly when the demand for feed in India is 4.9 crore tonnes. Manufacturers of balanced, antibiotic-free, or organic formulations have an opportunity to reach both smallholder and commercial farms that are interested in improved productivity and health of birds.

4. Processed Poultry Products

The processed poultry products have emerged as a profitable poultry farm business idea as urban consumers switch to ready-to-cook and frozen meat. Value-added processing adds margins and brand recognition to marinated cuts, nuggets, and sausages. The segment involves meeting the FSSAI requirements and investing in cold-chain logistics, yet has a high growth potential due to the growing retail and food delivery infrastructure in India.

5. Layer Farming (Commercial Scale)

Commercial layer farms supply large quantities of eggs to retail chains, institutional buyers and wholesalers. In modern layer houses, automated feeding and climate control systems are used to increase productivity. With appropriate farm design, vaccination and effective waste management, entrepreneurs can grow fast.

Investment & Infrastructure Requirements for Poultry Farming Business

The cost of poultry farming varies based on the size of your farm and the breed of birds you are rearing. Here is the investment and infrastructure a poultry farm business requires:

• Land & Shed: You will need land big enough to start a medium-sized poultry farm. You will also need a shed that is properly ventilated, lighted, and rain and sun-shielded.
• Equipment & Machinery: You will require feeders, drinkers, cages or deep litter systems, water tanks, heaters (for chicks), and egg trays.
• Birds & Feed: The cost of chickens and feed makes up the majority of your investment.
• Labour & Utilities: You also require staff to feed the birds, clean the pens, and gather eggs. Electricity, water, and medicine costs would also come into play.

Breeds & Production Associated with Poultry Farm Business

Poultry farming typically involves two types of production: broiler (for meat) and layer (for eggs):

1. Broiler Farming

Broilers are bred for meat. They grow fast and come to market within a period of 5–7 weeks. Cobb, Ross, and Hubbard are very common broiler breeds in India. However, you need to give them healthy and nutritious feed and manage diseases to get the best returns.

2. Layer Farming

Layers are egg-producing hens. At 20 weeks of age, they start laying eggs and will continue to lay eggs for up to 72 weeks. Some of the most popular egg-laying breeds include White Leghorn, Hy-Line, and Lohmann.

Government Schemes & Subsidies for Poultry Business in India

The government subsidises the poultry sector through several plans and subsidies. It benefits small business owners and new farmers by lessening their burden. Some of the most common poultry subsidies in India and plans are:

• National Livestock Mission (NLM): It provides financial support to start poultry farms, feed units, hatcheries, and breeding farms. Small farmers can receive up to 25–33% subsidy on the capital outlay.
• NABARD Subsidy: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development offers assistance under its Poultry Venture Capital Fund and also a poultry startup loan. Depending on your category, you will be given a subsidy of 25–33% of your overall project cost.
• PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) Scheme: If you want to process and pack poultry products, this scheme offers loans and subsidies for processing plants and equipment.

Marketing Channels for Poultry Farming Business

Unless you have a good marketing strategy, even the best of poultry farms won’t be able to make money and give you profits. Here are some ways of marketing and selling your products:

• Local Markets: You can sell whole chickens, eggs, or chicken meat directly in local markets. It gives instant cash and lower transportation charges.
• Wholesalers & Retailers: You can tie up with local shops, supermarkets, and hotels to get bulk orders on a consistent basis.
• Online & Home Delivery: Consumers today prefer to order everything online. You can sell through apps or open a small online shop to cater to more customers.
• Contract Farming: Some big poultry firms sell chicks, feed, and technical expertise to small farmers and purchase the grown birds from them at fixed prices. It is safer and provides a steady income.

Risks in Poultry Farming

Here are some common risks that are associated with poultry farm businesses:

• Climate Issues: Severe heat or cold can impact bird health. Make sure that you keep them in the ideal temperature and that you ventilate the shed.
• Market Fluctuations: Feed and chicken prices vary based on market demand and supply.
• Disease Outbreaks: Avian flu and other diseases can lead to losses. Hence, keep your farm clean, vaccinate the birds regularly, and do not over-crowd.

A poultry business is one of the best businesses to start in India. It needs low maintenance, has a huge and stable demand, and is also highly profitable. If the lack of funds is preventing you from growing, you can apply for a business loan with DMI Finance. You can get a loan of up to ₹25 lakh without any collateral.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many chickens will I need to start when I am a beginner?

Start with about 200–500 birds or chickens to understand management, feeding, and disease control before you scale up.

2. How frequently should broilers be fed in a day?

Broilers require feeding at least 3–4 times a day, and clean water must be readily available.

3. Is a license for poultry farming necessary to sell chicken and eggs locally?

Yes, a license is necessary for poultry farming to sell chicken and eggs locally, though the specific requirements and scale of the license depend on the size of the operation.

4. What is the ideal time of year to start a poultry farm?

The ideal time to start a poultry farm is February to April, as it allows chicks to mature and begin laying during the fall and winter months. Avoid starting during the middle of summer, since chicks are heat-sensitive.

5. How can I deal with poultry waste efficiently?

You can make organic fertiliser or biogas out of poultry manure, reduce waste, and earn extra money by selling it.

6. Can I prepare my own poultry feed rather than purchasing pre-made feed?

Yes, you can, but you must have adequate knowledge of nutritional mix and availability of raw materials such as maize, soybean meal, and vitamins.

7. How do I get customers for my poultry produce?

You can reach out to nearby restaurants, wholesalers, and hotels, or even sell through food ordering apps and social media.

8. How can I protect my farm from diseases?

Always try to keep the farms and sheds clean where the chickens live. Moreover, get all of your chickens vaccinated and buy chicks from verified suppliers.

Disclaimer: The business ideas shared in this blog are based on research and trends. DMI Finance does not recommend or guarantee it. Starting a business involves risk—please use your own judgment and discretion. DMI Finance is not liable for any loss or outcome resulting from actions taken based on this content.