Complete Broiler Farming Guide: 1000 Birds Plan in Kenya
Kelvin Wairimu 
Broilers
Despite its low profit margins, broiler farming is an ideal enterprise for farmers who want quick returns in less than 2 months.
This guide covers everything you need to raise 1000 broiler chickens from day-old chicks to maturity in 5-6 weeks, including selecting the best breeds, feeding, and cost analysis.
Coop Size for 1000 Broiler Birds
For 1000 birds, you need a coop measuring 500-700 square meters (14m by 50m).
Twenty per cent of the coop should be open for ventilation. Depending on location and materials used, it can cost KSh 130,000-200,000.
Read Also: How Many Eggs Can 200 Layers Produce Per Day?
Best Broiler Varieties/Breeds in Kenya
1. Cobb 500
It is loved for its fast growth rate and excellent feed conversion rate, which lowers the cost of feeds.
Under good feeding, it matures in 4 weeks with a weight of 1-1.3kg. It mostly retails at KSh 90-110 per chick, depending on the seller.
The most common is that sold by Irvines Kenya.
2. Ross 308
Many farmers in Kenya may know it as Isinya broiler chick. Ross 308 is a high meat yielder in Kenya with good disease resistance.
In most cases, you will find it retailing at KSh 90-110 per chick. If well fed, it can mature in 28 days with a weight gain of 1-1.2 kg.
3. Arbour Acres Plus
Arbour Acres Plus chicks are loved for their uniform growth and good leg strength, enabling farmers to sell all at once. It retails at KSh 80-100 per chick and can reach a weight gain of 1-1.3 kgs in four weeks, depending on feeding.
4. Hubbard Classic
It is a hardy breed that adapts well to most climatic conditions and still manages to achieve a weight gain of 1-1.3kgs in 28 days. It often retails at KSh 75-95 per chick.
Week-by-Week Management Guide
Week 1 (Days 1-7)
Disinfect your coop one week before introducing the chicks to eliminate any disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
The house should be well-ventilated and warm. Maintain a temperature of at least 35°C using heat lamps. If using a Jiko, ensure it is well-lit to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning that can kill the entire flock.
Provide liquid paraffin, chick starter (vitamins), and antibiotics to shield them against any disease and help with feed digestion. This should be done for at least a week.
Administer Newcastle (with IB) vaccine on day 7.
Week 2 (Days 8-14)
In the second week, provide adequate ventilation and increase the feed rate to 25g per chick. Administer Gumboro vaccine through drinking water.
Week 3 (Days 15-21)
Increase floor space as they grow and increase the feed rate to 35-40g per chick.
Maintain good aeration at all times. Also, introduce a broiler finisher to hasten weight gain.
Administer broiler booster in water to enhance weight gain and faster growth.
Week 4 (Days 22-28)
Normally, to make a good profit, introduce a broiler finisher at 65g per bird daily.
To make good profits, a good broiler should reach at least 1.2kg in four weeks. Beyond four weeks, profits start to decline and feed intake increases.
Complete Feeding Program
Starter Crumbs (Days 1-21)
Daily per chick: 15g (Week 1), 25g (Week 2), 40g (Week 3)
- Total per bird: 1.7kg over 21 days
- Cost per 50kg bag: KSh 4,200
- Total bags needed: 35 bags
- Total cost: KSh 147,000
Finisher Feed (Days 22-28)
- Daily per chick: 65g (Week 4)
- Total per bird: 0.5kg over 7 days
- Cost per 50kg bag: KSh 4,000
- Total bags needed: 12 bags
- The total cost: KSh 48,000
Total feed bags needed: 47 bags (35 starter + 12 finisher)
The Total feed cost: KSh 195,000
Vaccination Schedule
Newcastle Disease
- First vaccination: Day 7 (eye drop/water)
- Cost: KSh 1,500 for 1000 doses
Gumboro Disease
- Vaccination: Days 14-18 (drinking water)
- Cost: KSh 1,000 for 1000 doses
Broiler Booster
- Administration: Days 15-28 (drinking water)
- Purpose: Improves growth and immunity
- Cost: KSh 2,500 for 1000 birds
Common Diseases and Treatment
Newcastle Disease
This is a viral disease that shows signs of respiratory distress and twisted neck. It has no cure and can only be prevented through vaccination and strict biosecurity.
Gumboro (Infectious Bursal Disease)
It’s an infectious disease with signs of depression, watery diarrhoea, and death in young birds. It is controlled through vaccination or treatment with antibiotics and vitamins.
Coccidiosis
Bloody diarrhoea, weakness, poor growth, light weight, and dropping of feathers are the common signs. The good thing is it’s treatable with anticoccidial drugs in water or feeds. Maintain constant disinfection, clean dry litter, and proper ventilation.
Respiratory Infections
This is the greatest killer in poultry farming. Chicks show signs of coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. It is treatable with antibiotics. Always maintain proper ventilation and avoid overcrowding to prevent it.
Risk Management
Like any other business, broiler farming has major risks that can cause total loss:
- Disease outbreaks – If not identified and controlled early, they can cause 40-50% mortality.
- Market price fluctuations – This depends on market supply, which can push prices up or down, affecting profitability.
- Feed price increases – Feeds account for 50% of the total cost. The problem is how fast they keep rising, pushing prices high and profits low.
- Power outages – Affects heating and ventilation, mostly at the brooding stage, most of the time causing mortality as chicks scramble over each other for warmth.
- Poor management – This is the main cause of losses in broiler farming. Poor management, including poor feeding and disease monitoring, can cause 100% mortality.
Complete Cost Analysis (1000 Birds)
Initial Setup Costs
- Chicks (1000): KSh 100,000 (average KSh 100 each)
- Housing construction: KSh 150,000
- Equipment (feeders, drinkers, heating): KSh 40,000
- Total setup: KSh 290,000
Operating Costs (Per Cycle)
- Feed (starter + finisher): KSh 195,000
- Vaccines and medication: KSh 5,000
- Labour: KSh 15,000
- Utilities (electricity, water): KSh 8,000
- Miscellaneous: KSh 5,000
- Total operating: KSh 228,000
Revenue Calculation
- Expected survival rate: 95% (950 birds)
- Average weight: 1.2kg per bird
- Market price: KSh 300 per kg live weight
- Revenue per bird: 1.2kg × KSh 300 = KSh 360
- Total revenue: 950 birds × KSh 360 = KSh 342,000
Profitability Analysis
- Total costs: KSh 328,000
- Total revenue: KSh 342,000
- Net profit: KSh 14,000
- Profit margin: 4%
- Return on investment: 3.35%
Conclusion
Broiler farming in Kenya has a low profit margin of 4-10%. Cobb 500, Ross 308, Arbour Acres Plus, and Hubbard Classic are the best broiler breeds in Kenya.
They have a maturity period of 28 days and a weight gain of 1-1.2 kg. Farming 1000 broilers requires KSh 328,000 with a small profit of KSh 14,000.
This is achieved through good feeding with broiler starter crumbs and finisher. Diseases that can be controlled through vaccination, like Newcastle, pose a risk of 100% mortality if not prevented.
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