Kelvin Wairimu
Poultry farming remains one of the most popular agribusiness ventures in Kenya, especially layers farming for egg production.
Many farmers are often told that keeping 100 layers can generate up to KSh 15,000 per month. But how true is this?
This article breaks down the real costs and profits of running 100 commercial layers in Kenya over an 18-month cycle. The figures are based on current market prices for chicks, feed, vaccines, and eggs in 2025.
1. Infrastructure Costs (One-Time Investment)
A well-designed chicken house and basic equipment are essential for production. By adopting a low-cost model, the total construction cost can be capped at KSh 50,000.
| Item | Cost (KSh) |
|---|---|
| Coop construction (100 birds capacity) | 50,000 |
| Feeders (5 units) | 3,500 |
| Drinkers (8 units) | 4,000 |
| Nest boxes (10 units) | 5,000 |
| Lighting system | 5,000 |
| Total Infrastructure | 67,500 |
2. Operational Costs (18-Month Cycle)
These are the recurring costs from chick purchase to the end of the laying cycle.
| Item | Quantity/Rate | Cost (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| Day-old chicks (100 @ 110 each, 10 bonus free) | 100 × 110 | 11,000 |
| Starter feed (200 kg × 80) | 16,000 | |
| Grower feed (600 kg × 62) | 37,200 | |
| Layer feed (2,700 kg × 68) | 183,600 | |
| Total Feed | 236,800 | |
| Vaccines (Newcastle ×2, Gumboro ×2, Fowl Pox, Fowl Typhoid) | 4,200 | |
| Medication | 2,000 | |
| Egg trays (500 pcs) | 15,000 | |
| Electricity | 10,000 | |
| Water | 6,000 | |
| Miscellaneous | 5,000 | |
| Total Operational Costs | 290,000 |
The total cost of rearing 100 layers is ksh 357,500 from day old to selling as Ex-Layers after a cycle of 18 months.
Read Also:Fertile Egg Secrets: Does a Rooster Really Matter?
3. Revenue Analysis
Egg production depends on feed quality, health, and management. With proper care, 100 layers can achieve an average production rate of 75%.
| Revenue Source | Calculation | Amount (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| Egg sales | 945 trays × 285 | 269,325 |
| Sale of spent layers | 90 birds × 550 | 49,500 |
| Total Revenue | 318,825 |
4. Profitability Summary
First Cycle (with infrastructure)
- Total Costs = 357,500
- Revenue = 318,825
- Net Result = –38,675 (loss)
Subsequent Cycles (infrastructure already paid)
- Operational Costs = 290,000
- Revenue = 318,825
- Net Profit per cycle = 28,825
- Average Monthly Profit (18 months) = KSh 1,601
After Depreciation
- Coop + equipment lifespan: 10 years
- Depreciation per cycle = 10,125
- True Net per cycle = 18,700
- Monthly = KSh 1,039
5. Profitability Comparison: 100 vs 300 vs 500 Layers
| Enterprise Size | Infrastructure Cost (KSh) | Operational Cost per Cycle (KSh) | Revenue per Cycle (KSh) | Net Profit per Cycle (KSh) | Monthly Profit (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 birds | 67,500 | 290,000 | 318,825 | 28,825 | ~1,600 |
| 300 birds | ~200,000 | ~870,000 | ~956,475 | 86,475 | ~4,800 |
| 500 birds | ~320,000 | ~1,450,000 | ~1,594,125 | 144,125 | ~8,000 |
Key Insight:
As the flock size increases, operational costs rise, but so does revenue.
Fixed costs like housing and equipment are spread over more birds, making each bird more profitable. At 300–500 birds, the enterprise becomes a serious business with 4x–5x more monthly profit.
6. Key Ratios
- Break-even egg production: ~72 eggs/day
- ROI on infrastructure: ~28.5% annually
- Payback period: ~3.5 years
7. Critical Insights
- 100 layers are not highly profitable: First cycle results in a loss due to setup costs.
- Subsequent cycles make a profit, but the margins are very small (about KSh 1,000–1,600 per month).
- Feed costs are the biggest expense, accounting for over 80% of operational costs.
- Scaling is essential: At 300–500 birds, profitability improves significantly due to economies of scale.
Conclusion
Rearing 100 birds in Kenya is profitable, making ksh 1,600 per month as profit. The claim that 100 layers can bring in KSh 15,000 monthly profit is a myth.
The total cost of rearing 100 layers is ksh 357,500 from day old to selling as Ex-Layers after a cycle of 18 months. Farmers can only make ksh 318,225 from the sales of eggs and disposing of the Ex-layers.
Realistic projections show that:
- First cycle results in a small loss due to initial setup.
- Subsequent cycles are profitable but with very slim margins (~KSh 1,000/month after depreciation).
- Scaling up to 300–500 birds is necessary to make poultry farming a sustainable business in Kenya.
For farmers starting small, 100 layers can be a good learning step. It’s always good to note that the laying rate may not always be above 70%. Sometimes it fluctuates and can be even below 50% due to weather changes, diseases, and changes feed quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much profit from 100 layers?
100 layers can give you a profit of ksh 1,600 per month.
2. How much does it cost to raise 100 chickens in Kenya?
It will cost you ksh 357,500 to raise 100 chickens from day old to the end of laying.
3. How many bags of feed for 100 layers per month?
You will need a total of 70 bags to raise 100 layers successfully: 4 bags of starter feed,12 bags of grower feed and 54 bags of layers feed. These are subject to change with the quality of feed and growth rate, plus weather.
4. How many eggs will 100 layers lay in a day?
At optimal, 100 layers can give 70-90 eggs per day.
About Post Author
){kind=link}
