Roadrunners/Free range Chickens/Indigenous poultry chicken farming business is a very profitable business in Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans love roadrunners. They have a good taste and are regarded as highly nutritious. The demand for roadrunners is high in Zimbabwe. Roadrunners can be raised for meat, or for laying eggs, or both. This article will explain how to start a roadrunners business in Zimbabwe, and the business plan.
Before you start a roadrunners business in Zimbabwe, you have to decide how many roadrunners you want to keep per cycle, where you are going keep them, and your target market. The number of roadrunners you keep will depend on the amount of land and capital you have, and also the size of your target market. You should always carry out a feasibility study, market research and write a business plan before you venture into any business. Do not make the mistake of starting a roadrunners business or any other business just because someone is doing it and he/she says it’s profitable.
What you need
Land, Housing and Equipment
You need land and housing for your roadrunners/free range chickens. The kind of housing you need and the size of the land will depend on the size of your roadrunners project. An ideal poultry farm should be sited where there’s a large availability of cheap land and at the same time should be close to your market. Chicken cannot adjust well to temperature extremes, so it is very important that chickens be housed, cared and provided with an environment that will enable them to maintain their thermal balance. The right housing should have proper ventilation and the right lighting. Ventilation is necessary so that adequate air exchange can take place. Lighting stimulates hens to lay eggs. If you want to produce eggs year-round, you will need to install adequate lighting in your facility. You should have equipment including feeders, drinkers, lighting system and nest boxes.
Birds need adequate space for movement and exercise as well as areas to nest and roost. For roadrunners, you should have 10 birds per square metre (0.1 square metres for each bird) in the house, and at least 1 square metre per bird in the outside run/range. The roadrunners will need pasture where they can forage for food.
Day old chicks
You need day old chicks to start with. When starting the roadrunners business with chicks, purchase 25% more birds than is expected to be needed; this allows for mortality and culling. After getting experience, you may then hatch your own chicks, which will greatly cut your costs. There are a lot of farmers who are selling day old chicks for roadrunners in Zimbabwe. You will need to make a decision on which breed of roadrunners to buy. This decision will depend on whether you are mainly raising roadrunners for meat or for eggs. The most popular breeds used in Zimbabwe are the Boschveld and the Rhode Island Red. We do not advise using the rural indigenous chicken when keeping roadrunners for business. They have no genetic identity, meaning that you can tell their expected weight after a number of weeks, how many eggs they can lay, their growth potential etc. It is better to use pure breeds like the ones listed above, which have known genetic characteristics.

Boschveld Chickens
Stock feeds
Feeding is important so as to increase the production of meat and eggs from roadrunners/free range Chickens/indigenous chicken. A lack of feed or water will reduce resistance to diseases and parasites, and subsequently increase flock mortality. In a free-range or semi-intensive poultry rearing system, adult hens and cocks ought to be given enough time and space for scavenging in the surroundings daily. The best time for scavenging is early morning and late afternoon when there are plenty of insects and less heat. Supplementary feeds should be offered in the morning and evening when the birds come back for the night. Clean water should be provided in shady areas during the day to avoid heat stress. You will also need proper vaccines and medications to prevent diseases and promote growth of your birds.
The advantage of rearing roadrunners/ free range chickens/indigenous chicken is that they will get most of their food from scavenging the surroundings, thus the feed costs are minimized. However, they can not only feed from scavenging the surroundings, if you are keeping roadrunners for commercial purposes. You will need to supplement their diet with commercial stock feeds, or your own home made feed. You can also give them maize, sorghum, wheat, rice e.t.c.
Management and Labour
The number of staff you will need depends on the size of your poultry project. If you are keeping 50 birds at the back of your house you may not need an employee as you and your family will take care of the birds. On the other hand, if you have a poultry farm you will need dedicated staff to look after the birds, and to manage the business. You need good management skills and technical knowledge of roadrunners rearing techniques if you want to be profitable. Do your research, and train those who are working for you.
Market
Roadrunners/ free range /indigenous chickens are in high demand in Zimbabwe, with farmers usually failing to meet the local demand. The largest buyers are Hotels, restaurants and fast food outlets. They buy roadrunners in bulky to cook meals for their customers. Customers love roadrunners, because they are nutritious, delicious and organic. Butcheries and Supermarkets are an untapped market. We would love to go into all the major supermarkets in Zimbabwe one day, and see dressed organic roadrunners on sale. We would love to see roadrunners for sale in butcheries. There is also another untapped opportunity of exporting organic roadrunners. You can also supply to individuals. Roadrunners are more expensive than broilers because roadrunners are highly nutritious, delicious, organic, and have no chemicals injected in them. The traditional meals with roadrunners are usually more expensive in restaurants than meals with broilers.
Pre-Written Roadrunners/Free Range/Indigenous Chicken Production Business Plan : Comprehensive Version, Short Bank Loan Version, Automated Excel Financial Statements
For an in-depth analysis of the roadrunners/free range chickens production business in Zimbabwe, purchase our business plan. We decided to introduce the business plans after noting that many Zimbabweans were venturing into the roadrunners business without a full understanding of the industry, market, how to run the business, the risks involved, profitability of the business and the costs involved, leading to a high failure rate of their businesses.
Our business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run a roadrunners/free range chickens business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as the roadrunners/free range chickens production business plan will lay out all the costs involved in setting up and running the roadrunners/free range chickens business. The business plan is designed uniquely for the Zimbabwean market.
Uses of the Roadrunners Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)
The roadrunners/free range chickens production business plan can be used for many purposes including:
- Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
- Applying for a bank loan
- Start-up guide to launch your roadrunners production business
- As a project proposal
- Assessing profitability of the roadrunners/free range chickens production business
- Finding a business partner
- Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
- Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation
Contents of the Roadrunners/Free Range Chicken Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)
The business plan includes, but not limited to:
- Market Analysis
- Industry Analysis
- Automated Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, loan repayment calculations, start-up costs)
- Marketing Strategy
- Risk Analysis
- SWOT & PEST Analysis
- Operational Requirements (e.g. type of housing required, feed required e.t.c.)
- Operational Strategy
- Why some Zimbabweans in roadrunners business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
- Ways to raise capital to start your roadrunners business in Zimbabwe
The roadrunners/free range chickens production business plan includes technical aspects of how to keep the roadrunners. It also includes a mini-directory with contacts which will prove to be helpful in launching and running the roadrunners/free range chickens business. E.g. We will provide the contact details of the companies that produce feeds, sell day old chicks e.t.c.
The Roadrunners/Indigenous Chickens business plan package consist of 4 files
- Roadrunners Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive – 91 pages)
- Roadrunners/Indigenous Chickens Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive – 91 pages)
- Roadrunners/Free range Chickens Business Plan Bank Version – Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan – 41 pages)
- Roadrunners/Free range Chickens Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel file)
The business plan financials are in USD currency.
The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the number of birds, price per bird etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change.
Get the Roadrunners/Free Range Chickens Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)
We decided to make them affordable for anyone who would want a business plan, and the price for pre-written business plans is only US$10 for soft copies.
You can purchase via Paynow (Ecocash/Innbucks/One Money/MasterCard/Visa Card) or via Paypal. You just click Buy Now (scroll down) and you will then be taken to payment website where you make the payment. Just follow the instructions; you will be done with the payment process in 2 minutes. We will email the business plan (PDF format, Microsoft word format, and a Microsoft Excel file with the financial statements) to you within 24 hours, using the email address you provided when you were paying.
You can also purchase soft copies at our offices in Harare. Visit StartupBiz Zimbabwe, Suite 201, 2nd Floor, Morgan House, George Silundika Avenue (between 1st Street & 2nd Street), Harare . The cost of the business plan is US$10 (soft copies).
For any questions, other payment options, email us on shop@startupbiz.co.zw , call/whatsapp us on +263778798072 (Whatsapp us by clicking the link https://wa.me/263778798072) .
Roadrunners/Free range chickens/Indigenous Chickens Production Business Plan
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Hi, where can I get point of lay boschvelds.
Thomas Vhalah. Quite interesting.I have just started rearing roadrunner chickens. Can I be added to roadrunner keepers group. My WhatsApp. No. is +263772337898.
Delivery around Beatrice Harare CBD and country wide through special arrangments,
Book now or you pay on delivery,
Inbox / call/WhatsApp +263786105185/ +263786105059 for more information
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THE HOME OF ROAD RUNNER/FREE RANGE POULTRY🐥
hie get in touch with me for boschveld chickens on 0773 050 118
hw much are day old chicks for boschveld .
you can get in touch on 0772822144 and we can negotiate the prices depending on the quantities you require
WANT BOSHVELD CHICKENS ON +263718664889
I want to road runner chicks
I do supply Boshveld chicks for 16 Nov collection @70c each
0772945164 am Looking for roadrunner’s a good breed
Inspiring,informative and educative. Let’s hope we act. For, u can’t cross a river by looking at the water.
Want business plan 0714440055
Very interesting, informative and educative especially for me as I am very keen to venture into diversified farming projects. please keep me posted on boschveld chickens and ducks.
i,m looking for model chicken run for Road runners
Hie can i please be added to a roadrunner keepers group ,I started keeping roadrunners in 2016 and i have been doing very well and i hope being added in the group will make it easier for me to get customers for chickens and eggs and also to learn from other keepers.
If u were added in the group of road runners pliz can l have the group link on 0779195479
Hie i offer hatching services for chicken eggs
what are your contact details
0773375682/0772650582
how much do charge per egg
can i join a group of roadrunner keepers
@Elvis Mapeta,Paddie and Elisha,can we partner
0788808113, i need bocshved or roadrunner good breed
i am looking for an incubator
http://www.surehatch.co.zw/
I have an incubator, call me on 0784240512
that was motivating. if there are any buyers for roadrunners contact 0772737103 or 0778374926
For all your hatching services may you please call me on 0773 375 682,0772 650 582
guys am seroussly looking for boshveld 0782994221 please contact me
How many days does it take for eggs to hatch in a hatchery(incubator)
It takes 21 days for chicken eggs to hatch
21 days for chicken. Is there a market of roadrunners outside Zimbabwe
Any buyers for big and good roadrunners please contact me 0717147509
i am a buyer 0782690055
what size do you buy and at how much per bird?
how much do you buy them for and numbers and size you prefer sms me on 0773516448
I looking for point of lay hens ne jongwe. kindly app me on 0775472104
+263782985794
I need bushveld type
Interested i need to start my own project
Looking for partner to do the project with have a few birds plus plenty of land live in mazowe christon bank my number 0773025427
I want to try that project how many birds do i start with
i am looking week old chicks my number 0782690055
Im Iooking for roadrunner chicks 0775633882
how much are boschveld chicks
I am looking for a cock please app me on 0712 579 000
+263782985794
very informative, l am doing Poultry lndustriliasation, l enjoy talking to anyone who is keen to do chickens for sustainability
How can i get in touch with you am thinking of starting ip my own poultry project and have donors on stand by to help with the capital but they have been asking questions on sustainbility
send me email shokoxxl@gmail.com
Hi I have been doing hatching but had no market for the chicks or the grown birds . Are you still interested in the project.I am will to do on a large scale have. Capacity for 5000-7000 chicks a month.
+263782985794
Liberty@micallconsulting.com
We can start talking from there
Hie Francisca. Did you finally find a market for your grown birds and chicks. Am wanting to also go into this road runner business but am concerned about the markets. Its such a waste to invest without a market
please contact me i want to start aproject for chickens for sustainability
My project is a medium size with 20 different types of hens laying eggs for reproduction and 3 different cocks, every month i produce a minimum of 250 chicks with the help of an incubator, from August 2017 i will be releasing a minimum of 200 point of lay roadrunners per month, but i have no market. is there anyone who know buyers of large quantities of point of lay road runners
My contact number is 0772587426. please inform me about buyers of point of lay roadrunners
going at how much app me 0784493574
+263782985794
Contact me on that number. Or send an email to liberty@micallconsulting.com
Do you have boschveld,at how much pliz
Contact me on 0733223990(app)
I have boschveld road runners at $7 to $8
please I need boshveld seriously may contact me 0782994221
Are Freerange/ roadrunner chickens the same as organic chickens?
Where on the value chain do you get the best returns, road runner table eggs, roadrunner fertilized eggs, incubation business, day old chicks, young chickens, point of lay, or the meat?
i went through yo notes ,thank you. after starter mash whats the next food for road runners. what kind of vaccinations should i have in stock for this project.
um looking for a business partner
i am intrested to be your partner,call/sms 0778067882
l am also looking for a partner my # 0773773068(l am in kadoma)
Im looking for a someone to sponsor mie to start the project of road runners with terms and conditions.I have got the land and i live in bindura,Mashcentral.Pliz help.
I want to start that project how many hens can I start with
can you kip boschveld for breeding
Can I be added to WhatsApp group for roadrunner chicken keepers
hie…how much are day old chicks ?help
email bganyad@gmail.com if you know any prices and where l can get them..thank you
Looking for black Australorps, Boschvelder, Rhode Island red or white
Call/txt on 0777389419
App on 0719389419
His contact me if you wanna know deep about these babies on 0774885768
May l be added to your whatsap group of road runner chicken keeper
I want boschvelder chcks
I am looking for all types of roadrunners found in Zimbabwe and may you put me in your whatsap roadrunner keeper. every educative and interesting
I haver roadrunner can u add me on whatsapp group for communication
looking forward to start roadrunner project early next year. where can l find day old boschveld. contact 0773339221
Very educative and want to be one of the best roadrunners keeper. Add me to your whatsapp runner keepers. My whatsapp number is 0772346162
pliz add me to the road runner Chickens whatapp group im interested. wish to learn more on this project.
add me to road runner group what up 0774149338
Where can I get Boschvelder or Rhode island week old chicks? Please add me to the group
My whatsapp no is 0773288091
add me also on whatsapp group 0719001708
add me also on whatsapp group 0772980496
selling Boschveld eggs, chicks and hens and cocks contact 0784443161 or 0775609277
hatching services chicks and eggs for sell Bosch
0784443161
0775609277
GANYANI TINASHE
Am looking for roadrunner( one week old chicks). type boschveld. i am in masvingo. contact me on 775140422.may you pliz add my no on whatsapp group
add me also on the whatsup group 0775141985
Hi hw much are the boschveld chicks.add me on whatsup group 0778879328
are there any other types of road runners, how good are they. kindly add me also to keepers lists
Add me in your group. 0774029798
am keen to start the roadrunner project but have no land to work on. anyone willing to partner with me. am in Harare and I go to work.
contact me on 0782916843 lve got land um in bindura to start the project
i have land in zvimba murombedzi and banket 0779224325
Why don’t the roadrunners sit on their eggs for hatching
Very interesting plz add me to WhatsApp group +27734266754
..am also looking for partners.anyone interested ihave land in Nkayi area
anyone looking for a partner.. contact me on 0779279363
CONTACT ME ON O782891277 email address mutinhacosmas8732@gmail.com
Thank you for the information. Kindly add me on whats group for Road Runner keepers. am looking for Kuroiler breed and Boschveld bread of 3 weeks old as soon as possible. contact me on +263774212686
Please add me to the what’s up group. My main challenge is on finding stable dependable markets. My number is 0771008597
add me if you are added to the group 0774149338
Hello everyone. i am looking for someone with point of lay Boschveld and fertilised eggs. Contact me at; matstockfarm@gmail.com
Very nice contact me 0779245250
Lease add me to the road runner whats app group 0772806910
very informative. please add me to road runner whatsapp group. my phone nò 0772580566.
looking for day old chicks. Boschveld, rhode island contact me 0785129009
ndri kukaroi so I looking chicks kana pane Ari kuita project rema roadrunner ndri kuda vana vacho
my number is 0784597476 call or WhatsApp
How much are 4 weeks old road runner chicks. Anyone with 50+ conduct me on 0782043717
Add me in relevant grps number 0776041857
its very interesting please add me into watsapp group »»0784238970
l real like to rear roader runners but l mostly try to do it at home(Binga) please add me in watsapp group for more assistance
If there is groups for poultry keeping please add
Quite interesting, kindly add me to keepers group
I WOULD LIKE TO BE ONE OF YOU GUYS AND I REAL WANT TO BE CONNECTED .Please add me to road runner keepers whats up groups and face book . MY WHATS UP NUMBER IS 0773475093
Intrested ,pliz add me on the watsp group,my nmber is 0773049450
Please add me in roadrunner group 0777578963
please add me tour whatsapp group of buisness i nam interested in keeping poultry 0773745600
Would like to start that kind of project. Would like a bankable business proposal
add me on the whatsApp group 0772473584
i want to start this project..add me on the whatsApp group please 0715146960
please add me to the group 0779637730, i want to start a road runner project
Looking for land around beitbridge to start the project and suppliers of chicks contact me on 0772858166
0779224325 pliz add
anyone selling road runners boschveld breed?
I am looking for boschveld type around Gweru Zvishavane area get in touch with me 0718905875
I have just started keeping roadrunners. Please kindly add me to the group on 0773444049.
Very interesting pliz kindly add me as well my app number 0739202450 would love to learn more and invest on the project
i am selling day old chicks at dollar for two call me on 0776224012 those in gweru ,shurugwi and mostly Zvishavane
I do supply Boshveld chicks for 16 Nov collection @70c each
It’s very interesting indeed what I’m reading on all articles
I also want to start a business project on agriculture and poultry but my concern is the market I also need help or even if it means that I have to go to school for that and have both certificate
Thanks and regards
Nobert
I am looking for 5000 boshveld chicks plzz contact me on 0785270707
I supply all live birds
looking for boshveld chicks around bulawayo
Interested add me on whatsapp group please
00 277 67 809 3900
mhakashelter@gmail.com
I’m interested can you please add me to the group
I am looking for black Australorp chicks, at least one month up to point of lay. Contact 0773410469 (Call/App)
I am looking for a for someone who need a project manager for his or her road runner project