Roshairi Izuan's exotic chickens take flight in international market

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 21 (Bernama) -- Breeding eight types of exotic chickens is no easy fodder for entrepreneur Roshairi Izuan Sulaiman, because the endeavour requires meticulous care and research to ensure the health of the fowls is at optimum level.

The 34-year-old Setiu native said he never guessed that his childhood interest in raising chickens would put him on good footing to venture into the exotic chicken business in 2000 until he managed to penetrate the international market.

According to him, the eight types of chicken currently under his wings are Yokohama chicken from Vietnam, Cemani (Indonesia), Aseel Parrot Beat (India), Modern Game (USA), Onaga (Japan), Ratu (Thailand), Brahma Black Mottled (Turkey) and Serama (Malaysia).

"The price tag is very reasonable according to the type, size and quality of the chicken. I have sold pet chickens to customers from Qatar, Pakistan, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

"The most expensive type of chicken ever sold is Aseel Parrot Beat from India with the price of one reaching RM6,000 to RM7,000 depending on size and quality," he told Bernama when met at the Exotic Chicken Exhibition held in conjunction with the 2022 Malaysian Aidilfitiri Open House (MRTM) at Dataran Drawbridge here today.

Roshairi Izuan said each exotic chicken requires different care because it comes from all over the world, where weather and nutritional factors will affect the growth of the chickens.

“When I started the business in 2000, my capital was RM15,000 by buying various types of exotic chickens from abroad in stages.

"I did not expect that after 22 years of trading in exotic chicken, my business is progressing and sales have reached almost RM10,000 a month," he said.

For the local market, he said the Brahma Black Mottled chicken was always in high demand because it is large with thick feathers from head to toe.

"Brahma Black Mottled chickens are not difficult to keep because they can be cared for like normal (kampung chickens) and the price for a pair of one-month-old chicks is very cheap at about RM1,000 depending on its size," he said.

-- BERNAMA