“Twenty years ago, I intended to raise chickens until I retired,” said David Brittenham of Purdy, Mo. “Ten years ago I began worrying about the industry, and my fear today is that my houses will be deemed obsolete before I can retire.”
Management Changes are Minor
The poultry industry has changed tremendously, with chickens specifically, due to genetics and feed, they are grown in 36 rather than 42 days. “The equipment and housing requirements have changed,” David said, “but as far as management goes, the changes are minor. Chickens still need feed, water and fresh air.” The challenge has been to keep energy costs down. Natural gas costs are three times higher and can account for as much as 25 percent of income. Propane costs have gone up as much as six times, therefore a grower must pay more attention to ventilation.
Alternative Energy
David has watched as other growers have experimented with alternative heating methods like wood, pellets, corn and coal. He has been content to let them do the experimenting. “After 5 years of work and thousands of dollars spent, a neighbor is going to know if it has paid off,” David said. “We got chickens the same day and we are expecting the actual savings over expenses to be a wash.”
Political Changes
Ten years ago, a broiler house operator just raised chickens. “It is more political now,” said David. “I need to be a public relations expert, business manager and environmental specialist.” Twenty years ago there were no regulations on the disposal of dead chickens or chicken litter. Ten years ago, composting was considered a “best management” practice. Now it is required. “Responsible farmers have never over-fertilized the land,” maintained David, “because that would kill the grass and hurt animals.” Even so, soil tests are now required. A farmer is told how and where he can dispose of his litter.
It is much harder to build a chicken house now. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has to approve of the location and the public can comment. It can take six months just to get a permit. Financing used to be for 10 years and now is usually 20 years. The initial cost of the houses isn’t the only increase in costs. Insurance per house has gone from $400 to $1,000, property tax from $112 to $400.
Survival Tactics
Better management practices have to be implemented in order to survive. One example is compact florescent bulbs. “I date them when I put them in,” David said, “that way I know if the cost is worth it.” He also tracks where they come from and the brand.
“I still have all of my original equipment,” boasted David. “That’s not to say that I haven’t changed a motor here and there, but I have all the original feed and water lines.” The fact that David has done 100 percent of the maintenance on the farm has been a huge savings. Being on natural gas rather than propane has also helped. According to David, “The cost of propane has been the number one reason growers go out of business.”
Newer Isn’t Always Better
Tyson has not required David to update his houses. They are not computerized, but are automated to a great degree. Because of his knowledge of electronics, David has been able to rig a web-cam to monitor what is happening in each house. He can check it from his computer or cell phone. David can still raise chickens at less cost than they are raised in some of the new houses. “Part of the reward for staying here until the houses were paid off,” David said, “now I can take it easy.”
