Want to raise pigeons? Calculate the profit first before making a decision
After nearly 20 years of steady development, the pigeon industry has gradually matured. At present, market prices are relatively high, and the pigeon industry has once again attracted the attention of many investors. But no matter how mature any breeding industry is, it must constantly withstand the test of the market. Investors must calculate the economic account thoroughly and, according to their own financial strength and local conditions, develop pigeon farming in a timely and appropriate manner. Below, taking a pair of cage-raised pigeons as an example (cage rearing is adopted, each cage has 3 layers, each layer can hold 4 pairs of pigeons, and each cage can hold 12 pairs of pigeons), the economic benefits are calculated at current market prices for reference.
I. Calculated at current market prices, income in the first year
Total input cost for a pair of pigeons: (1) It is necessary to buy cages, feed troughs, water troughs and other tools for 50 yuan. (2) Buy a pair of breeding pigeons for 40 yuan. (3) A pair of young pigeons needs 50 grams of feed per day, the feed price is 1.34 yuan/kg, the growing period needs 4.5 months, and the total feed consumption is 6.75 kg (4.5 months × 30 days × 50 grams, totaling 9 yuan (6.75 kg × 1.34 yuan). One breeding cycle of pigeons is 45 days. After the breeding pigeons mature, they can still breed 5 clutches in the remaining 7.5 months. During the brooding period, breeding pigeons consume 100 grams/day of feed, and the feed price is 1.54 yuan/kg. The brooding period is generally 25-28 days. If calculated according to an average brooding period of 27 days, the 5 clutches of squabs consume a total of 13.5 kg of feed during the brooding period (27 days × 100 grams × 5 clutches), totaling 20.79 yuan (13.5 kg × 1.54 yuan). Feed consumption during other periods is 4.5 kg [(7.5 months × 30 days - 27 days × 5 clutches) × 50 grams], totaling 6 yuan. Therefore, the feed cost in the first year is 35.79 yuan (9 yuan for the growing period + 20.79 yuan for the brooding period + 6 yuan for other brooding periods). (4) Epidemic prevention and other costs are 2 yuan. (5) Water and electricity costs are offset by income from selling manure. Therefore, the total input in the first year is 127.79 yuan (50 yuan for tools + 40 yuan for breeding pigeons + 35.79 yuan for feed + 2 yuan for epidemic prevention and other costs).
Gross income in the first year: at present, the price of 25-28-day-old squabs is 9 yuan each. Calculated at this price, 5 clutches produce 10 squabs in total, with gross income of 90 yuan.
Net profit in the first year: the breeding period of breeding pigeons is generally 4-5 years. Calculated according to a 4-year service period and tool costs depreciated over 10 years, the net profit is about 32 yuan (90 yuan - 40 yuan × 1/4 - 50 yuan × 1/10 - 35.79 yuan - 2 yuan).
II. Calculated at current prices, income in the second year and every year thereafter
After the second year, only costs such as feed and epidemic prevention need to be invested. After pigeons begin normal production, they can lay 8 clutches of eggs a year, 2 eggs per clutch, producing 16 squabs in total, achieving gross income of 144 yuan; annual feed requirement is 36.5 kg, equivalent to 56.2 yuan, epidemic prevention and other costs are 2 yuan, and the total annual input is 58.2 yuan; the net profit obtainable is 72.8 yuan.
III. Several suggestions
Under normal circumstances, one person can raise 500 pairs of pigeons in cages, with an average annual net profit of 20,000-35,000 yuan. Meat pigeon farming has low feeding costs, a short cycle, quick results, and high economic benefits, and is very suitable for housewives to carry out courtyard farming.
1. Developing the pigeon industry should rely on leading enterprises and establish stable contractual relationships with enterprises. For any mature breeding industry, the ultimate model is "leading enterprise + base", "leading enterprise + farmer households" or "leading enterprise + cooperative organization + farmer households". For farmers, establishing a stable contractual relationship with enterprises can effectively reduce market risks.
2. Investing in the pigeon industry requires persistence. Breeding is a continuous process, and pigeon farming is no exception. Before investing, one must make long-term plans. If you invest this year and stop raising them next year, you will certainly lose everything. Therefore, once the project is chosen correctly, you must persist, and appropriately adjust the scale and varieties according to market conditions, so as to ensure making big money when the market is good and not losing money when the market is bad, ultimately becoming a winner in the breeding industry.