At a time when Broiler chicken rules the poultry business,
Manjunath Marappan writes a different chapter in the realm. In Bengaluru, this entrepreneur has created a free den for hens called ‘Happy Hens.’
His motto is that happy hens lay healthy eggs.
Manjunath Marappan from Bengaluru and Ashok Kannan from Madhura did the same thing. They let hens wander around the yard and forage food on their own. When it became a business venture, they felt it would do well if they go ahead together. That thought paved the way for ‘Happy Hens’ which can be called India’s first free-range egg startup.
The farms are located in Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. On each farm, 3 acres are devoted to 1000 hens. Besides the food hens find in their natural habitat, farmers give a mixture of corn, peanut, soya, and Azolla to them. Each hen is given 100-110 grams of this mix. As a result, the farmer gets an egg that weighs 50-55 grams. Thus, a poultry farmer receives up to Rs 40,000 per month.
Globally, there is a great demand for organic farming and organic products. This trend has contributed to the success of free-range eggs. Manjunath says, if you need healthy eggs, you will have to give a higher price.
A NIFT graduate, Manjunath chose poultry farming. It was not accidental.
Manjunath said that expansion plans for Happy Hens are in his mind. He is checking the feasibility of his product in Kerala as well.
