Festive-Season Fallout: Day-Old Chick Shortage Hits Bulawayo’s Poultry Farmers Hard

A wave of frustration is sweeping through Bulawayo’s poultry sector as farmers struggle to secure day-old chicks ahead of the festive rush. The weeks leading up to Christmas are usually a peak production period, yet this year many producers are watching their plans collapse as chick supplies dry up across the city.

Source: bullszimbabw

Farmers who traditionally begin stocking chicks six weeks before the holidays say the shortage has thrown their entire production cycle off balance. The situation has also created space for questionable business practices, with some suppliers reportedly insisting that farmers buy feed before they can access chicks. The Competition and Tariffs Commission has stepped in, warning that such conditions are anti-competitive and harmful to producers already battling rising costs.

Behind the scarcity lies a more complex problem. Breeders are grappling with soaring expenses tied to parent stock — the foundation of chick production. According to the Zimbabwe Poultry Association, raising a single breeding bird until it reaches egg-laying age can cost around US$25, once feed, vaccines, utilities, and acquisition costs are factored in. The financial strain has forced many breeders to scale back rather than build stocks aimed at festive-season demand, leaving them unable to ramp up supply when the market needs it most.

The impact has been particularly harsh on small-scale farmers, many of whom depend heavily on December sales to sustain their income for the year. Some have shelved their production plans entirely, while others are operating at a fraction of their usual capacity. The ripple effect is expected to reach local markets and households, where chicken remains a favourite festive dish.

Hamara, one of the country’s leading suppliers, has attempted to cushion farmers by offering three-week-old birds — an option meant to help those struggling with brooding during Zimbabwe’s hot, wet season. A final batch is expected by mid-December, but the solution comes with its own complications. Older birds cost more, demand better housing and care, and carry higher mortality risks for farmers without proper setups.

The ongoing crisis underscores deeper structural weaknesses within Zimbabwe’s poultry industry. Volatile feed prices, high production costs, limited hatchery capacity, and inconsistent planning continue to weaken the supply chain. Without coordinated action from breeders, regulators, and industry players, small-scale farmers could face prolonged setbacks — particularly during the festive seasons that once guaranteed their biggest returns.