AgriTalk - Arie Widyantoro: Maksimalkan Profit Ternak Broiler Semi Closed House 🐥🐥🐤

Summary

In this insightful interview, Mas Ari, a former bank security officer, shares his journey into broiler poultry farming in Sleman, Yogyakarta. After four years of self-learning and transitioning to entrepreneurship, he now operates three semi-closed poultry houses with a population of 24,000 chickens. Mas Ari emphasizes the importance of management, attention to animal welfare, and adapting to environmental conditions for success. Despite the challenges of fluctuating market prices, he has learned to navigate the industry with strategic partnerships. Looking forward, Mas Ari plans to expand further, aiming for a fully closed poultry system while preparing the next generation to take over the business.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mas Ari transitioned from a security guard job at a BUMN bank to a poultry entrepreneur after seeking freedom from office work and the desire for entrepreneurship.
• 😀 He started his broiler farming journey 4 years ago with 8,000 chickens, and now manages three semi-closed houses with a total of 24,000 chickens.
• 😀 Mas Ari learned poultry farming through self-study and hands-on experience, applying basic principles of animal care to ensure the chickens' health and well-being.
• 😀 The focus of his farming business is on quality production, maintaining a low mortality rate (under 5%) and producing healthy chickens with minimal disease.
• 😀 He chose semi-closed housing for his chickens, as it offers better environmental control, reduces ammonia odors, and utilizes space more efficiently compared to open housing systems.
• 😀 Temperature management during brooding is crucial, and Mas Ari uses solar-powered heaters to maintain an ideal temperature of 35-36°C for the first few days of the chickens' life.
• 😀 Electricity is a major cost on the farm, but Mas Ari manages it using timers for fans and implementing backup generators to deal with frequent power outages, especially during the rainy season.
• 😀 Mas Ari plans to expand his business further, possibly investing in fully closed houses, but this requires significant capital. He aims to eventually pass the business down to his children.
• 😀 Mas Ari works as a contract farmer with a poultry company, which provides price stability and bonus opportunities when market prices exceed the contract rate, although prices still fluctuate based on feed costs.
• 😀 His advice to new farmers is to focus on good farm management practices, engage regularly with the chickens, and monitor their health and environmental conditions to ensure success.

Q & A

What motivated Mas Ari to transition from a bank security job to broiler farming?

Mas Ari wanted to break free from the constraints of working a 9-to-5 job and being bound by office hours. He decided to pursue entrepreneurship in the broiler farming industry to achieve more independence and create opportunities for himself and his family.

How did Mas Ari acquire the knowledge to become a broiler farmer?

Mas Ari learned broiler farming through self-study (autodidactic approach). He applied basic principles such as providing food, water, vitamins, and medicine to the chickens, drawing parallels with human needs. He also gradually scaled his operations while learning from hands-on experience.

How has Mas Ari managed to scale his broiler farming operation over the years?

Mas Ari started with a small farm of 8,000 chickens and gradually expanded to three farms housing a total of 24,000 chickens. His focus was not just on increasing population size but on improving the quality of his livestock and ensuring optimal results.

What is Mas Ari’s approach to managing the performance of his broiler farm?

Mas Ari prioritizes the health and quality of the chickens over the quantity. His goal is to have healthy chickens with low mortality rates, ideally under 5%. He also ensures that the chickens receive optimal care, which includes adjusting their environment based on weather conditions.

Why does Mas Ari prefer semi-closed houses over open houses for his chicken farms?

Semi-closed houses are more efficient in terms of space and air circulation, which benefits both the chickens' health and the environment around the farm. Unlike open houses, semi-closed systems help reduce the impact of odors on nearby residents and provide better management of temperature and humidity.

What challenges does Mas Ari face due to the high elevation of his farm location?

The main challenge of farming at a higher elevation is maintaining the proper temperature, especially during brooding. Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly, making it essential to manage heating and ventilation systems carefully to ensure the chickens are kept warm and comfortable.

How does Mas Ari handle power outages in his broiler farm?

Mas Ari has backup generators (gensets) for each farm to ensure that the systems continue running smoothly in case of power failures. This allows the farm to remain operational even during frequent power outages, especially in the rainy season.

What kind of contract system does Mas Ari have with his poultry farm's partner company?

Mas Ari works with a partner company (PT) under a contract that specifies fixed prices for chickens based on their weight at the time of harvest. The price is adjusted periodically, depending on external market factors and production costs. The contract is reviewed every six months for adjustments.

What performance metrics does Mas Ari focus on in his broiler farming business?

Mas Ari aims for an optimal performance index (IP) of around 410 and a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.5. These are considered good benchmarks for healthy and efficient broiler farming.

What advice does Mas Ari have for new or struggling broiler farmers?

Mas Ari advises farmers to focus on proper farm management, especially paying attention to the condition of the chickens and their environment. He emphasizes the importance of daily interaction with the chickens to monitor their health and growth. Consistent attention to detail can prevent losses and help ensure long-term success in the broiler farming industry.