Small Poultry and Feed Store

Backyard flock keepers, hobby farmers, smallholders and acreage owners who want a local source for birds and supplies.

Retail margin on feed and equipment all year, plus seasonal live bird sales. Regular feed customers give steady income, and spring chick days bring new customers.

• Retail basics: stock, pricing and ordering
• Poultry care knowledge to advise customers
• Good with customers and local networking

• Avian influenza rules and live bird sale requirements: check CFIA and your provincial agriculture ministry
• Provincial poultry marketing board rules, which differ across provinces
• Municipal business licence, zoning, and any animal-related bylaws or inspections for a shop with live birds
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire (rules vary by province)
• Heavy feed bags, sharply seasonal sales, and cold-weather heating for live birds

Estimates suggest startup costs typically run around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on your premises, opening stock of feed and supplies, heating and brooding equipment, and any fit-out.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your location, range and prices. Sales are sharply seasonal, so plan your cash flow around spring peaks.

Check CFIA and your provincial agriculture ministry for avian influenza and live bird sale requirements. Also check provincial poultry marketing board rules, your municipal business licence, zoning and animal bylaws, and insurance.