How to Raise Broilers in Kenya: Complete Guide for Beginners

Broiler farming is one of the fastest ways to make money in poultry in Kenya. A batch of 500 broilers takes just 6–8 weeks from chick to market. This guide covers everything you need to start — housing, chicks, feeds, vaccinations, costs, and where to sell.

Is Broiler Farming Profitable in Kenya?

Yes — if you manage feed costs and find reliable buyers. Here's a rough picture for 500 broilers:

Item	Cost (KES)
Day-old chicks (500 × 120)	60,000
Feeds (starter + grower + finisher)	85,000
Vaccines + medication	5,000
Litter, utilities, labour	8,000
Total cost	~158,000
Revenue (500 × 3.5kg × 320/kg)	~560,000
Gross profit	~400,000

Note: feed prices and live weight prices vary by region and season. Always get current quotes before starting.

Step 1: Set Up Your Broiler House

Broilers need warmth, ventilation, and biosecurity. A simple structure works — you don't need an expensive building.

Space requirement: 0.1 m² per bird minimum. For 500 birds, you need at least 50 m² of floor space.

Key requirements:

• Litter: Use wood shavings, 5–8 cm deep. Avoid sawdust (respiratory problems) and wet litter.
• Ventilation: Open sides with wire mesh and drop-down curtains. Chicks need warmth, adult birds need airflow.
• Lighting: 23 hours of light in the first week, then 18 hours. Light stimulates eating.
• Brooding area: For the first 2 weeks, confine chicks to one section with a heat source (gas brooder or heat lamp). Target 33°C in week 1, reducing by 3°C each week.

Step 2: Source Quality Day-Old Chicks

In Kenya, reliable day-old chick (DOC) suppliers include:

• Kenchic — most widely available across the country
• Farmers Choice — good quality Ross and Cobb breeds
• County hatcheries — cheaper but check mortality rates

Order chicks in advance. Good broiler breeds in Kenya: Ross 308, Cobb 500, Arbor Acres.

What to check when receiving chicks:

• Active, alert movement
• Bright eyes
• Clean navel
• Uniform size

Reject weak or navel-infected chicks — they'll cost you more in losses.

Step 3: Feeding Programme

Feed is 60–70% of your cost. Get this right.

Starter Feed (Day 1–14)

• 22–23% protein
• Feed ad libitum (free access at all times)
• Brands: Unga Farm Care, Pembe, Bidco
• Avoid dusty or mouldy feed — causes respiratory infections

Grower Feed (Day 15–28)

• 20% protein
• Introduce gradually by mixing with starter over 2 days

Finisher Feed (Day 29 to slaughter)

• 18% protein
• Lower protein, higher energy — builds weight
• Withdraw coccidiostats 5 days before slaughter (withdrawal period)

Water: Always available. Broilers drink twice as much water as feed. Use nipple drinkers — they stay cleaner.

Step 4: Vaccination Schedule

Vaccinations are not optional. Newcastle Disease (ND) kills entire flocks.

Day	Vaccine	Method
Day 1 (hatchery)	Marek's Disease	Injection
Day 7	Newcastle (Lasota)	Eye drop or drinking water
Day 14	Gumboro (IBD)	Drinking water
Day 21	Newcastle (Lasota) booster	Drinking water
Day 28	Gumboro booster	Drinking water

Buy vaccines from a licensed agro-vet. Store correctly — most are heat-sensitive.

Step 5: Biosecurity

Disease is the biggest risk in broiler farming. A single Newcastle outbreak can wipe out your entire flock in 3 days.

Basic rules:

• One batch at a time (all-in, all-out)
• Disinfect house thoroughly between batches — let it rest 2 weeks
• Footbath at entry with Virkon S or similar
• No visitors in the house
• Change clothes before entering
• Buy chicks from one supplier per batch

Step 6: Managing Common Problems

High mortality in week 1: Usually brooding temperature too low, or chick quality issue. Check brooder and source.

Respiratory sounds, coughing: Could be Newcastle, CRD, or IB. Isolate sick birds. Call a vet quickly.

Wet litter: Poor ventilation or drinker leaks. Fix immediately — wet litter causes ammonia burns and footpad problems.

Slow weight gain: Feed quality, water restriction, or disease. Check feed protein levels and water availability.

Step 7: When and How to Sell

Broilers are typically ready at 6–8 weeks, target live weight 2.5–3.5 kg.

Where to sell in Kenya:

• Processors: Kenchic, Farmers Choice buy in bulk at farm gate
• Local butchers and traders: Better price per kg but smaller volumes
• Hotels and restaurants: Best price, but need consistent supply and quality
• Agrisoko marketplace: Post your batch on Agrisoko to reach bulk buyers and local traders directly

Tip: Lock in a buyer before you buy chicks. Don't raise 500 birds and then look for a market.

Cost-Saving Tips

1. Buy feed in bulk — 20 bags at once is cheaper than 2 bags at a time
2. Join a farmer group — bulk buying for chicks, feed, and vaccines lowers costs significantly
3. Track your Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) — target FCR of 1.8–2.0. Higher FCR = money wasted
4. Grow your own maize if you have land — grind it yourself for a fraction of commercial feed cost

Summary

Broiler farming works in Kenya when you control costs and manage disease. The basics:

1. Good housing with proper ventilation and litter
2. Quality chicks from a reliable hatchery
3. Feed fresh, high-quality starter → grower → finisher
4. Vaccinate on schedule — no shortcuts
5. Strict biosecurity
6. Find your buyer before you start

Ready to sell your broilers or source inputs? Browse listings on Agrisoko or post a buy request.