BOGOR, WEST JAVA — Contrary to common perceptions that chicken farming is dirty and unprofitable, the market for Arabian chicken eggs is surprisingly vast, catering to coffee shops, traditional medicine vendors, and renowned herbal medicine factories. Notably, Arabian chicken eggs fetch a higher price than regular eggs.
Despite their name, Arabian chickens originated from a crossbreed between Belgian chickens and Indonesian native chickens. Their eggs, resembling those of free-range chickens, are preferred by many traditional medicine mixers for their larger yolks, thicker egg whites, and higher nutritional value.
Seizing this opportunity, Dompet Dhuafa, through the Zona Madina UMKM House, launched the Arabian Chicken Plasma Program in the Kemang area, Bogor Regency. The program’s benefit recipient, Arsin Saputra (45), a father of two, ventured into the broiler chicken business five months ago after being laid off from a factory job.
Nursan, the program’s facilitator, explained that this empowerment initiative operates on a profit-sharing basis. The chicken coop, measuring 3.5 x 12 square meters and situated behind Arsin’s house, was set up with Dompet Dhuafa’s support, including construction, chicken supply, feed provision, and marketing. Profits are equally shared between Arsin and Dompet Dhuafa.
As of early January 2023, the program was in its infancy, having started in December 2023. Therefore, profit-sharing has not yet commenced but is planned for the third month, continuing monthly thereafter.
Currently, the coop houses 239 Arabian chickens, not all of which are laying eggs yet. Approximately half, between 100-125 eggs, are collected daily. Nursan visits every evening at 4:00 PM to collect the eggs.
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“The chickens were about a month old when they arrived here, so not all are laying eggs yet. In 2 or 3 months, we expect all to lay eggs daily. That’s why we’re targeting the third month for profit-sharing,” Nursan said.
Arsin also sells broiler chickens in frozen packaging, a task mostly handled by his eldest child, a recent school graduate. Managing the Arabian chicken coop is a joint effort between Arsin and his wife. According to Arsin, Arabian chicken egg farming is manageable with diligence and routine care.
The Arabian chickens were 6 months old upon arrival in December 2023, making them now 7 months old. Their peak production starts at over 8 months, during which they can lay eggs continuously. Annually, an Arabian chicken can produce 250–300 eggs.
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Arsin is not the sole benefit recipient of this program; another individual benefits from a similar scheme under the Arabian Chicken Plasma Program by Zona Madina.
The program aims to help beneficiary families meet their needs and improve their children’s educational quality, potentially lifting them out of poverty. (Dompet Dhuafa/Muthohar)