Arkansas Poultry Farm for Sale: What Buyers Need to Know

Buying a poultry farm for sale in Arkansas can be a profitable investment due to the increasing demand for locally produced chicken meat.

The cost of a chicken farm for sale in Arkansas depends on size, location, and contract status. For instance, this Tyson-contracted breeder farm in Hope, AR, recently listed for $820,000, features two 40’ x 520’ breeder houses and generates an estimated $160,000 annually among others listed on this website.

All that aside let’s get into the meat and potatoes of the topic and talk about all you need to know before buying a poultry farm farm for sale in Arkansas. Carefully identifying the specific goals you want to achieve is key to buying the ideal chicken farm to start a profitable chicken farming venture.

Know This: Before Buying any Poultry Farm For Sale In Arkansas

Current statistics from the Poultry Federation, and the Arkansas APEX Accelerator show that there are over 6,000 poultry farms in Arkansas alone. This fact alone has made the state undoubtedly one of the leading states in poultry farming, producing chicken meat, and eggs for major integrators like Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, and Simmons Foods.

In this quick guide, I will walk you through all you need to know about the form from start to finish before buying any type of chicken farm for sale in Arkansas and its counties. I will expose you to all you need to know to buy the correct farm that it’s you from market trends to financing options, contract details, and legal considerations.

For starters, this can be very challenging, but the same applies to old timers too, if your priorities are not specific you might wind up buying a poultry farm that would run at a loss. From broiler farms to breeder operations, each farm type has its advantages, costs, and contract requirements.

Current Market Trends for Poultry Farms in Arkansas

To put it simply, the current market trend for poultry farms in Arkansas for meat, and eggs in Arkansas is basically strong and unshaken. This has been possible mainly due to the strong demand for chicken meat and eggs and in part due to the partnerships with major poultry integrators like Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, and Simmons Foods.

The two main products from poultry farming happened to products that are of daily demand in nature, so naturally the demand remains high. Arkansas has managed to consistently rank high among the top three poultry-producing states in the U.S., thereby contributing significantly to the national chicken meat supply.

The Average Prices of Poultry Farms & Recent Sales

The cost of a chicken farm for sale in Arkansas varies depending on factors such as farm size, contract type, equipment upgrades, and land availability.

Based on recent listings:

1. Small broiler farms (4-6 houses) range from $500,000 to $1.2 million.
2. Larger breeder farms (2-3 houses) with active integrator contracts can cost between $700,000 and $1.5 million, depending on recent upgrades.
3. Farms with residential homes and additional pastureland often command higher prices due to added value.

For example, the earlier mentioned 51-acre poultry farm in Hope County, Arkansas, featuring a Tyson breeder contract and annual earnings of $160,000, is currently listed for $820,000. This is to show how much potential poultry farming holds especially with a secure contract.

Despite the ever-growing advocacy of the vegan movement, is very obvious that there is still an increasing daily demand for poultry products, especially meat. So it is safe to say that poultry farming in Arkansas is still very much a viable and profitable business to venture into.

Broiler Farms vs. Breeder Farms

The choice between a broiler farm and a breeder farm depends on what you intend to achieve with the farm, so when scouting for a poultry farm for sale in Arkansas. Both the broiler and the breeder farms serve different purposes in the poultry farming industry so must be approached differently.

Broiler Farms: High Production, Steady Income

A broiler poultry farm is a poultry farm that is basically focused on raising chickens for meat while the breeder farm, on the other hand, focuses on producing fertile eggs that hatch into broiler chickens. The broiler farm is the most common type of chicken farm for sale in Arkansas.

Key Features of Broiler Farms:

A broiler chicken farm can be easily identified by the type of operations going on on the farm, some of the most prominent features that make a broiler farm stand out are as follows

• A typical broiler farm has 4 to 12 poultry houses depending on the operation’s size.
• Most broiler farms only grow chickens for 6-7 weeks per flock.
• Earnings depend on factors like farm size, efficiency, and contract bonuses.
• This type of farm usually requires more modern equipment (e.g., tunnel ventilation, and automated feeders) to maintain quality and the bird’s health.

For example, this 6-house broiler farm in Arkansas, listed on this site contracted with Tyson Foods, generates an annual gross income of around $220,000, with a listing price of $1.1 million. This simply tells me one thing, there is a steady income potential for poultry farming in the broiler sector.

Breeder Farms: Fewer Birds, Higher Premiums

Breeder farms mainly specialize in producing fertile eggs only that hatch into broiler chickens. These farms also operate under contracts but typically have fewer houses compared to broiler farms compared to broiler farms.

Key Features of Breeder Farms:

• Typically, they have 2 to 4 houses, each measuring 42×500 feet or larger.
• Keep flocks for 10-12 months, producing eggs instead of growing meat.
• Receive higher pay per bird but require more labor and management.
• Require egg collection, storage, and specialized ventilation systems.

Which Farm Type is Best for You?

Choosing between a broiler farm and a breeder farm depends on factors like:

• Investment Budget: Broiler farms usually cost more but generate higher volume-based income.
• Operational Preferences: Breeder farms require more hands-on management, while broiler farms operate on shorter growth cycles.
• Contract Availability: It is important and worth knowing that certain integrators might only offer certain contracts to poultry farm owners in specific regions of Arkansas.

Poultry Farm Contracts: How They Work in Arkansas

When purchasing a poultry farm in Arkansas or in any state in the USA, one of the most critical factors to consider is the contract, and to which company the farm is integrated.

After you have identified the company with which the farm is contracted with then, that can help you get a full understanding of the farm’s contract, and then you can properly decide the profit potential of the farm you want to buy and how well it will perform in the long run.

How Poultry Farm Contracts Work

A chicken farm for sale in Arkansas is typically sold with an existing contract or the possibility of securing one with a poultry integrator. These contracts dictate:

• ✅ Chick Placement: The integrator provides the farm with day-old chicks.
• ✅ Feed Supply: The company supplies all the feed at no cost to the farmer.
• ✅ Health & Veterinary Support: Integrators provide vaccines, medications, and flock health monitoring.
• ✅ Payment Structure: Farmers are paid based on performance metrics, such as feed conversion rates, bird weight, and mortality rates.
• ✅ Farm Upgrades: Integrators may require farms to update equipment (ventilation, water lines, feeders) before renewing or issuing a contract.

Types of Poultry Contracts

There are two main types of contracts for a poultry farm for sale in Arkansas:

• 1️⃣ Broiler Farm Contracts – These are performance-based contracts where farmers grow chickens to market weight within 6-7 weeks. Payments are typically calculated per pound of live weight produced.
• 2️⃣ Breeder Farm Contracts – Farmers are paid per dozen eggs collected and fertilized. Payments are generally higher than broiler contracts but require more hands-on labor.

For breeder farms, a 2-house operation under Pilgrim’s Pride earns $160,000 per year, with integrators offering higher per-bird pay rates due to the specialized nature of egg production.

4 Important Points to Check Before Buying a Contract Poultry Farm

If you’re considering a chicken farm in Arkansas or any other state in the USA I mentioned earlier, you need to verify:

• ✅ Contract Status: Some farms come with an existing contract, while others require buyers to secure a new one.
• ✅ Integrator Requirements: Some companies demand upgrades (e.g., tunnel ventilation, LED lighting) before renewing contracts.
• ✅ Performance History: Past flock performance affects payment rates and bonus eligibility.
• ✅ Nearby Processing Plants: Proximity to an integrator’s processing plant can impact greatly the terms of your contract is, as this can affect the logistics cost significantly.

How to Secure Funding for a Poultry Farm in Arkansas

There is no doubt to the fact that poultry farms at least farms that are of commercial scale or not cheap to acquire. The cost varies depending on the size, contract status, and location of the farm among other things.

But what can you do in such situations where your Arkansas dream poultry farm is beyond your bank balance? Lucky you, there are several financing options for you to choose from to enable you to purchase your desired chicken farm.

For instance, one recently listed broiler farm in Arkansas with four houses on 40 acres and a Tyson contract was priced at $1.3 million, generating an annual income of approximately $250,000. Another farm with six broiler houses, also under a Tyson contract, was listed for $1.8 million, producing $350,000 per year.

Financing Options for Arkansas Poultry Farms

1️⃣ USDA Farm Loans – The USDA offers various loans, including:

Farm Ownership Loans of up to $600,000 for purchasing farmland.
Guaranteed Farm Loans, which allow banks to finance large farms while the USDA backs the loan.
Microloans for small-scale poultry farms.

2️⃣ Local Bank Loans – Arkansas-based banks such as Farm Credit of Western Arkansas offer specialized poultry farm loans, especially for those under contract with Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, or George’s Inc.

3️⃣ Seller Financing – Some farm owners are willing to provide financing directly. For example, a 60-acre breeder farm listed in Arkansas was available with a seller-financed option requiring a 30% down payment.

4️⃣ FSA Beginning Farmer Loans – This is ideal for first-time farm buyers. A first-time poultry farmer in Arkansas secured a $500,000 loan through this program with only 5% down payment.

5️⃣ Agricultural Loan Institutions – Organizations such as Farm Credit of Western Arkansas provide low-interest farm loans and flexible payment plans based on income cycles from poultry production.

Loan Approval Factors for Poultry Farms

• Down Payment: Most lenders require 10-30% down (e.g., a $1.5M farm might need a $300K down payment).
• Credit Score: A 680+ credit score improves chances of approval.
• Experience: Previous poultry farming or agribusiness experience is preferred but not always required.
• Contract Status: Farms with integrator contracts (e.g., Tyson, Pilgrim’s Pride) are easier to finance since they offer stable income.
• Farm Condition: If the broiler houses are outdated, lenders may require renovation commitments.

Real Example: Financing a Poultry Farm in Arkansas

A buyer recently purchased a broiler farm in Arkansas with four houses on 35 acres under a Tyson contract, priced at $1.4 million. With a USDA-backed loan covering 80% of the purchase, the buyer only needed $280,000 as a down payment. Thanks to pre-approval, the deal closed in 45 days, and the farm is now generating $265,000 annually.

🔹 Pro Tip: Get pre-approved before making an offer on a chicken farm for sale in Arkansas to secure the best financing terms.

Conclusion

here is my honest option in short about investing in poultry business in Arkansas or any state at all in the USA. Poultry farming is undoubtedly profitable when done correctly, and it is worth starting even today as there is an ever growing demand for chicken meat and eggs and it does not look like it is slowing down anytime soon.

Should You purchase that Arkansas poultry farm for sale you have been eying, yes please do so by all means but before you do make sure to know and understand these things. There is a big difference between a broiler farm and a breeder farm, understand the contract terms of the farm, secure financing, and ensure compliance with zoning laws.

If you are actively searching for a chicken farm for sale in Arkansas or anywhere else, please explore our latest Arkansas farm listings to find the best opportunities available today.