How to Plan a Successful Poultry Farm Construction Project Easily

Freya Parker

June 2, 2025

Table of Content

Starting a poultry farm in Pakistan is not just about keeping chickens in a shed. It requires careful planning, understanding of local conditions, and knowledge about poultry farm building construction. A well-constructed poultry shed directly affects the health of birds, feed efficiency, and overall production. In this blog, we will walk you through every important step to help you plan and build a successful poultry farm, using simple and easy terms familiar to everyone—especially those working in rural or semi-urban areas of Pakistan.

1. Why Planning is Important Before Construction

Before building anything, planning is the most important step. A poultry farm is not just a business; it is a complete setup that includes sheds, feed storage, water supply, drainage, ventilation, and biosecurity systems. A small mistake in the planning phase can create serious problems later on.

Whether you are starting a broiler farm or layer farm, your planning must include:

Location of the farm
Size of the poultry sheds
Type of birds
Number of birds (flock size)
Water and electricity availability
Access to roads and markets
Selection of farm building contractors

2. Choosing the Right Location

In Pakistan, temperature and weather conditions vary from city to city. That’s why choosing the right location for your poultry farm matters a lot. Your poultry farm should be:

Away from residential areas (at least 1 km)
Near a road for easy transportation of feed and birds
Not in a flood-prone area
Having a good underground water source
Proper land level for easy drainage

Always keep a buffer zone between poultry farms. This helps in controlling diseases and improves biosecurity.

3. Understanding Poultry Farm Building Construction

Poultry farm building construction in Pakistan mostly includes open-sided sheds or controlled environment (C.E.) sheds.

Open-sided sheds

These are simple structures, usually made with brick pillars, tin roofs, and wire mesh for ventilation. These are common in Punjab and Sindh rural areas and are cheaper to build.

Controlled environment sheds (C.E. sheds)

These are advanced and fully covered poultry houses with automatic temperature control, ventilation, and lighting systems. These are more expensive but give better results in areas with extreme weather conditions.

When planning your poultry building, always focus on:

North-South orientation (for proper air flow)
Enough height (12-14 feet) for good ventilation
Cemented floor with proper slope
Drainage system for cleaning and waste removal
Strong roof to resist weather conditions

4. Size and Design of Poultry Sheds

The size of your shed depends on the number of birds. On average:

1 broiler bird needs 1 square foot
1 layer bird needs 1.5 to 2 square feet

If you’re planning to raise 5000 broilers, you’ll need a shed of at least 50 ft x 100 ft.

Keep a walkway in the center and feeder/drinker lines on both sides. Sidewalls should be made half-brick and half-net for airflow. Use gunny bags or curtains in winter for temperature control.

5. Material Used in Farm Building Construction

In Pakistan, local materials are used in poultry farm construction. Common ones include:

Bricks (event)
Cement and concrete (siment, bajri)
Iron rods (saria) for structure
GI sheets or local tin sheets (chaddar) for roofing
Wire mesh (jaali)
Bamboo or wooden support (kaathi)

Farm building contractors with experience in poultry construction know how to use these materials efficiently. Don’t hire ordinary thekaydars who have no idea about poultry shed design.

6. Proper Ventilation and Temperature Control

Birds need fresh air to grow well. In C.E. sheds, fans and cooling pads are used. In desi/open sheds, cross ventilation is the key.

Make windows or wire mesh openings on both sides of the shed. Use exhaust fans if possible. In summer, sprinklers or foggers can help. For winter, use charcoal heaters or gas brooders.

Good ventilation reduces ammonia gas, controls smell, and improves bird health.

7. Drainage and Waste Management

Poultry farms produce a lot of litter and droppings. If drainage is poor, it can spread diseases like Newcastle (Rani Khet) or IBD (Gumboro).

Use a sloped cemented floor that helps in cleaning. Build a small nala (drain) around the shed. Collect waste properly and dispose of it far from the farm.

Litter can also be used as organic fertilizer for fields. Many farmers in Punjab mix litter with urea to improve wheat production.

8. Water Supply and Storage

Birds drink water all day. If water is dirty or not enough, birds become sick and die. Arrange:

Boring or water pump
Overhead water tank
PVC pipeline to nipple or bell drinkers
Regular water testing (especially for iron and salt)

Clean waterlines weekly with bleach (safaidi) or potassium permanganate (fitkari).

9. Power Backup and Lighting

Electricity breakdowns are common in villages. Use a diesel generator or UPS system for emergencies, especially if you are running a C.E. shed.

Lighting inside the poultry shed should be:

White/yellow bulbs or tube lights
18 to 20 hours of light for broilers (during growth)
Dim light for layers (to prevent pecking)

10. Hiring Skilled Farm Building Contractors

Hiring experienced farm building contractors ensures your poultry shed is built according to industry standards. They understand:

Load-bearing structure
Shed orientation
Ventilation points
Material selection
Drainage layout

Never choose a contractor just because they charge less. A bad structure will cost more later in repairs and losses.

Ask for references, visit their previous poultry farms, and check their knowledge before signing the contract.

11. Budget Planning for Construction

Always make a detailed cost estimate before starting construction. Include:

Land preparation
Shed construction
Feed storage area
Boundary wall
Electricity setup
Water system
Labour cost
Emergency fund (for unexpected repairs)

A normal open poultry shed in rural Punjab or Sindh may cost around Rs. 600 to 800 per square foot, depending on materials.

12. Legal and Safety Aspects

Check local zoning laws before starting construction. In some areas, poultry farms are only allowed outside urban boundaries. Also, keep safety in mind:

Fence your farm with barbed wire
Use signboards (No Entry, Biosecurity Zone)
Provide safety gear for workers (gloves, masks, boots)
Keep a first-aid box in the office

Final Thoughts

Planning a poultry farm is a serious responsibility. From selecting the land to hiring the right farm building contractors, every step must be done carefully. A well-constructed poultry shed not only protects your birds from diseases and weather but also improves production and reduces daily problems.

Remember, a strong foundation leads to long-term success. Whether you’re starting a small desi broiler setup or a large commercial farm, take time to plan everything properly. Use local knowledge, experienced people, and standard methods to build your poultry farm in the right way.

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