Layer Chicken Farming in Kenya: How to Start and Profit
Complete guide to egg farming in Kenya. Layer housing, feeds, egg production targets, common diseases, and how much you can earn with 500 layers.
Layer farming — raising hens for eggs — is a reliable income source in Kenya. Unlike broilers, layers give you daily income once they start laying. This guide covers everything from housing and feeding to egg marketing.
Layer Farming Economics in Kenya
A flock of 500 layers at peak production:
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Point-of-lay pullets (500 × KES 800) | 400,000 |
| Housing (if new build) | 150,000–300,000 |
| Feed per month (500 × 120g/day × 30 × KES 45/kg) | ~81,000 |
| Revenue: ~85% lay rate = 425 eggs/day = 12,750/month | |
| Tray price: KES 350–450 per tray (30 eggs) | |
| Monthly egg revenue (425 trays) | ~153,000–191,000 |
| Monthly profit (after feed) | ~70,000–110,000 |
This is rough — your actual numbers depend on feed cost, egg prices in your area, and mortality.
Choosing Your Layer Breed
The most common layer breeds in Kenya:
- Isa Brown — excellent production, 280–320 eggs/year, good in hot climates
- Lohmann Brown — similar to Isa, slightly larger eggs
- Novogen Brown — newer breed, good performance
- Black Australorp — dual-purpose, good for rural settings, slightly lower output
Buy point-of-lay (POL) pullets at 18–20 weeks if you want eggs quickly. Day-old chicks are cheaper but take 5 months to start laying.
Layer House Design
A good layer house is the foundation of your farm.
Space: 0.05–0.08 m² per bird in cages, 0.25 m² in deep litter.
System options:
- Battery cages — highest density, easiest egg collection, best disease control. Higher capital cost. Popular in larger farms.
- Deep litter (free range house) — lower cost, more natural. Harder to control disease and egg breakage.
Key features:
- East-west orientation to reduce heat
- Shading on the south-facing side
- Good natural ventilation — layers need 25°C or below for best production
- Lighting: 16 hours of light per day to maintain production
Feeding Layers
Chick Stage (0–8 weeks)
- Chick mash, 22% protein
- Ad libitum feeding
Grower Stage (8–18 weeks)
- Grower mash, 16–18% protein
- Do not overfeed during this stage — fat hens lay poorly
Layer Stage (18 weeks+)
- Layer mash, 16–17% protein, high calcium (3.5–4%)
- 110–130g per bird per day
- Calcium is critical — poor calcium = thin shells, broken eggs, egg-bound hens
Oyster shell as a calcium supplement is cheap and effective. Offer separately.
Vaccination Schedule for Layers
| Age | Vaccine | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marek's Disease | Injection (hatchery) |
| Week 1 | Newcastle (Lasota) | Eye drop |
| Week 3 | Gumboro | Drinking water |
| Week 5 | Newcastle booster | Eye drop or water |
| Week 8 | Fowl Typhoid | Injection |
| Week 12 | Newcastle (Clone 30) | Eye drop |
| Week 16 | Newcastle + IB | Eye drop |
| Week 18 | Egg Drop Syndrome (EDS) | Injection |
Continue Newcastle boosters every 3 months throughout production.
Egg Production Expectations
- Layers start producing at 18–22 weeks
- Peak production: 85–95% lay rate from week 25–35
- Production declines after 72 weeks — most farms cull at this point
- Average production life: 52–72 weeks of laying
Signs of poor production:
- Soft or thin shells → calcium deficiency
- Small eggs → protein deficiency
- Drop in lay rate → stress, disease, poor lighting, or nutrition
Selling Eggs in Kenya
Channels:
- Wholesale to traders — they collect from farm, KES 300–380/tray. Low hassle, lower price.
- Retail to kiosks and shops — KES 350–450/tray. More work, better margin.
- Hotels and supermarkets — best price but need consistent supply, invoice, and sometimes grading.
- Direct to consumers — post on Agrisoko to reach bulk buyers
Grading matters: Grade A (clean, unbroken, correct size) fetches the best price. Grade B and cracked eggs are sold at a discount.
Common Diseases
Newcastle Disease (ND): Twisted neck, breathing difficulty, greenish diarrhoea, sudden death. Vaccinate! No treatment — culling and biosecurity.
Egg Drop Syndrome (EDS-76): Sudden drop in egg production, soft and misshapen eggs. Vaccine available.
Fowl Typhoid: Greenish diarrhoea, pale comb, poor production. Treat with antibiotics (Enroxil, Baytril).
Coccidiosis: Bloody droppings, huddling, poor growth. Common in deep litter systems. Treat with Amprolium.
Keys to Profitable Layer Farming
- Keep feed costs low — source maize locally if possible
- Maintain 16 hours of light — use cheap LED bulbs on a timer
- Vaccinate on schedule
- Reduce egg breakage — check nest boxes and collection frequency
- Cull poor performers — hens laying fewer than 4 eggs/week eat without earning
Find buyers for your eggs or source pullets and feed on Agrisoko.
Turn this guide into a market decision
Check live prices, browse active supply, or look at buyer demand before you move stock.