Selling a poultry farm is not the same as selling a standard lifestyle block. Buyers want proof of income, proof of consent, and proof the sheds are being run properly. If you prepare these items up front, the campaign will be smoother, buyer confidence will be higher and you will be in a stronger position to hold your price.
This is the core of your farm’s value. Have these ready in a single folder:
Current supply or grower contract (with expiry/renewal date)
Any correspondence confirming the processor is happy with your current setup
Last 12–24 months of production/performance reports if you have them
Notes on any shed upgrades the processor has approved
Clear, recent information makes it easier for buyers and their bank to say yes.
Buyers will ask “is it all consented?” so make it easy to answer:
Environment Canterbury consent(s) and conditions
District council/resource consent(s) for buildings and activity
Any Farm Environment Plan and the latest audit
Monitoring or reporting you’ve supplied to council
Site plan showing shed locations, house and access
If something is missing, add a short note explaining how it can be rectified.
Modern, well-kept infrastructure reassures buyers that the farm can keep performing.
Maintenance log for sheds, fans, controllers and heaters
Service records for backup generator and pumps
Water source and storage details
Notes on recent capex (new controller, tunnel ventilation, insulation, extra shed)
Health and safety procedures relevant to the sheds
Good documentation here shows the farm has been run professionally.
Include short, workable documents that show you run a controlled site:
Visitor/sign-in procedure
Cleaning and disinfection schedule
Vermin and pest control plan
Confirmation you follow current poultry welfare standards
These don’t have to be long, but they should exist.
Most Canterbury poultry farms are sold as “income plus lifestyle”, so the home still matters.
Clean and stage the dwelling
Tidy driveways, gateways and truck access
Mow, trim and present the house area like a lifestyle listing
Move surplus gear away from shed entrances
Take clear photos of the house, sheds, yard and access
A tidy property signals that the rest of the operation is looked after.
To market the property properly, your salesperson will need:
Full legal description and rates info
Chattels list for the house and for the operation
Staff/contractor arrangements (if any)
Proposed timing for settlement and handover of sheds/production
Any confidentiality requirements around showing contracts
Providing this at the start shortens the time to launch.
Some owners prefer not to publish contract details on the public listing. That’s fine. We can:
Refer to “long-standing supply contract with a major processor” in public marketing
Release the actual document only to qualified buyers under confidentiality
Still demonstrate to buyers that the farm is fully documented
The key is having the information ready even if we do not publish it.
Supply/grower contract
12–24 months of production/performance data
Regional and district consents
Farm Environment Plan and latest audit (if applicable)
Maintenance and capex records
Biosecurity and animal welfare procedures
Site plan and good photography
Chattels and staff/contractor details
Notes on confidentiality
Do I have to show my contract to every buyer?
No. You can keep it for qualified buyers only, but it should be ready and complete.
What if one of my consents has lapsed?
Tell us early. We can explain it to buyers and, if needed, help you take steps to update it.
Can I sell if my sheds are a bit older?
Yes. Older sheds can still sell well if they are clean, compliant and priced with their specification in mind.
Will improving the house help?
Usually yes. A better-presented home broadens your buyer pool because the property appeals to lifestyle purchasers as well as existing poultry operators.
How long before listing should I start this?
Four to six weeks is ideal. It gives you time to collect documents, tidy the property and have photos taken in good weather.