Profitable Broiler Farming (45-Day Cycle)
A complete end-to-end broiler farming program covering brooder setup, chick reception, feeding schedules, disease prevention, and market readiness. Designed for 200–500 bird batches and suitable for both beginners and farmers looking to scale.
Dr. James Otieno
PhD Animal Science, University of Nairobi
14 years experience
Dr. James Otieno is a leading poultry scientist with over 14 years of hands-on experience training smallholder farmers across Western and Nyanza provinces. He has helped over 3,000 farmers set up profitable broiler and kienyeji operations, with a focus on biosecurity and low-cost feeding strategies. He regularly consults with the Kenya Poultry Association and has authored two practical farming guides.
Sample Schedule (First 2 Weeks)
Brooder House Preparation
Clean and disinfect the brooder house. Whitewash walls, repair any holes, and set up bedding (wood shavings 5 cm deep). Check ventilation and ensure there are no draughts.
Install Brooder Equipment
Install gas brooders or electric heat lamps (one lamp per 50 chicks). Set temperature to 32–35 °C at chick level. Test water drinkers and ensure they are filled with clean water plus vitamin-C supplement.
Chick Reception Day
Receive day-old chicks from accredited hatchery. Count, record losses, and distribute evenly under brooders. Offer glucose water (5 g/litre) for first 6 hours, then switch to starter feed ad libitum.
First Feeding & Observation
Observe chick behaviour — uniform spread under brooder means temperature is correct. Feed starter crumbs (23% CP). Record feed consumption. Change drinking water twice daily.
Vaccination — Newcastle (Lasota)
Administer Newcastle Disease vaccine via eye-drop or drinking water. Withhold water 2 hours before vaccination. Record batch and vaccine details in farm register.
Brooder Temperature Check
Reduce brooder temperature by 2 °C to 30–32 °C. Observe chick distribution. Clean drinkers and feeders. Weigh 10 random chicks to track average body weight.
Week 1 Assessment
Weigh 20 chicks (target: 160–175 g). Record mortality. Check litter moisture — if wet, add fresh shavings. Calculate feed conversion rate so far.
Expand Brooder Space
Remove brooder guards and allow chicks full house access. Introduce nipple drinkers if not already in use. Increase feeder space (one feeder per 25 birds).
Gumboro Vaccine (IBD)
Administer IBD vaccine via drinking water. Ensure all birds drink within 2 hours. Record in health register.
Feed Inventory Check
Check starter feed stock. Calculate days remaining. Place order for grower feed if needed (target: switch to grower at Day 14). Inspect feed for mould or pests.
Coccidiosis Prevention
Add coccidiostat (Amprolium or Sulphaquinoxaline) to drinking water as preventive measure, especially if floor is wet. Continue for 3 days.
Litter Management
Turn litter thoroughly to prevent caking. Remove wet patches. Good litter condition prevents ammonia build-up which causes respiratory disease.
Week 2 Weigh-in
Weigh 20 random birds (target: 420–450 g). Adjust feed allocation if behind target. Record any abnormal birds and isolate sick ones.
Switch to Grower Feed
Transition from starter (23% CP) to grower feed (20% CP). Mix 50/50 for 2 days to avoid digestive upset. Ensure fresh water available at all times.
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Full 45-day program
- Daily activity guidance
- SMS reminders
- Expert Q&A access