Poultry production for the urban market in developing countries: The case of Zaire

The profitability of establishing commercial poultry enterprises supplying the main urban markets in Zaire was evaluated in this study. In 1982 data were collected from eight layer farms, ranging in size from 80 to 150 000 layers per production period, located in Bas-Zaire and areas surrounding Kinshasa, Zaire. In addition, data were also collected from three farms that produced broilers as well as eggs. These poultry enterprises were analyzed, based upon their current level of production capacity, input costs and annual net returns.The results indicate that the profitability of layer farms appeared to be influenced by the rate of mortality, the rate of laying and the high cost of imported supplies such as hatching eggs, baby chicks, medications, vitamins, minerals and protein feeds. A low-cost poultry feed ration that met the requirements for both broilers and layers was developed using mainly Zairian ingredients. Access to lower cost medical supplies, better management practices and cheaper feeds appeared to be the key to expanding commercial poultry enterprises in Zaire and other developing countries.