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Poultry farming

Raise broilers or layers, alone or on contract with a company.

Money to start

Up to ₹5 lakh

Time it needs

25 to 40 hours a week

Risk

Medium

Works from home

Mostly outside

Explore

What it is, who it suits, what it can pay, how soon, the upside and the risks.

You raise chickens for meat (broilers) or eggs (layers), or backyard desi birds. Many farmers grow broilers on contract: the company supplies chicks and feed and pays per kg.

Who it suits

  • Rural families with a little land
  • People who can follow strict hygiene
  • Areas with nearby integrators or markets

Upside

  • Fast cycles
  • Contract farming reduces market risk
  • NLM subsidy

Risks to know

  • Bird flu and disease
  • Price crashes
  • Smell and neighbour complaints

What it can pay

We do not publish a number without a reliable source.

What drives it: Batch survival rate, feed conversion, contract rates or market prices, and power and labour costs.

Time to first income

About six to seven weeks for a broiler batch.

Assess

Skills, money, tools, hours and registrations you need, and a five question fit check.

Skills

  • Bio-security
  • Daily monitoring

Money to start

Shed, equipment, chicks and feed (less on contract).

Tools

  • Shed with ventilation
  • Feeders and drinkers
  • Brooder

Time per week

Daily.

Licences and registrations

Tick each one as you get it. Your ticks stay on this device.

Quick fit check

  1. 1.Do you have space away from houses?
  2. 2.Can you keep strict hygiene?
  3. 3.Is an integrator or market near?
  4. 4.Can you check birds several times a day?
  5. 5.Can you handle a batch loss?

Answer all five to see how well this fits you.

Run

Your first 30 days to the first rupee: set up, price, get paid, find customers, keep records.

0 of 11 steps done

  1. Days 1 to 7

    Set up

  2. Days 8 to 10

    Price it and get ready to be paid

  3. Days 11 to 24

    Find your first customers

  4. Days 25 to 30

    Record and review

Nurture

Grow and stay compliant: tax, GST, government schemes and the help that fits.

Grow it

  • Add sheds
  • Move to layers for daily egg income
  • Apply for NLM subsidy

Tax: Dairy, poultry and livestock

Return: ITR-4 (Sugam) with presumptive income, or ITR-3

  • Only income from growing crops on land is tax-free agricultural income (Sec 11 of the Income-tax Act 2025, old Sec 10(1)). Dairy, poultry, goats and mushrooms are usually business income.
  • With turnover up to ₹2 crore you can use Sec 58 (old Sec 44AD) and declare 6% of digital receipts and 8% of cash as profit.
  • Small units often owe no tax under the new regime, but filing helps you get bank loans.

GST on farm produce

Fresh milk, eggs, live animals, fresh vegetables and mushrooms are exempt. Processed products such as paneer, ghee or packed items can be taxable.

Government schemes that help

Make it official

Only what this way of earning needs. Free tools are marked; services are done by a TaxSavvy CA.

Ask a SavvyFarmer money mapWhat is tax free, what is not, and the schemes you can use.See how it works →TaxSavvy serviceMudra loan fileChoose the right Mudra category and prepare your loan papers.See how it works →Ask a SavvyPMEGP subsidy loanProject report and online application on the KVIC portal.See how it works →

Questions

How much can I earn from poultry farming in India?

What drives it: Batch survival rate, feed conversion, contract rates or market prices, and power and labour costs.

How long until the first income?

About six to seven weeks for a broiler batch.

What do I need to start?

Shed, equipment, chicks and feed (less on contract). Registrations: Bank account and UPI, Local panchayat or pollution board consent where needed, Udyam registration.

Which ITR form do I file for this income?

ITR-4 (Sugam) with presumptive income, or ITR-3. Only income from growing crops on land is tax-free agricultural income (Sec 11 of the Income-tax Act 2025, old Sec 10(1)). Dairy, poultry, goats and mushrooms are usually business income.

Do I need GST?

Fresh milk, eggs, live animals, fresh vegetables and mushrooms are exempt. Processed products such as paneer, ghee or packed items can be taxable.

Which government schemes can help?

National Livestock Mission, Kisan Credit Card, PM Mudra Yojana, PMEGP. Each scheme has its own eligibility; check the official site before applying.

Sources

Read on 4 Nov 2026. Limits, rates and fees change: check the official site before you rely on them.

This guide is general information from TaxSavvy, not a promise of income. No legal way to earn is guaranteed or instant. Avoid any offer that asks you to pay to join, recruit others or bet.

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