Livestock Kenya - Connecting Livestock Farmers and Professionals

You can make money raising commercial layers. This poultry house is designed to accommodate 200 birds. If more than 200 birds will be kept, the length of the house can be extended by 3.9 meters for every 100 layers. The materials indicated can however be replaced by any alternatives available in your locality if convenient and less costly.

For example off-cuts can be replaced by bricks and cedar posts by ordinary tree poles. The space where wire mesh is used for ventilation can be altered according to local climatic conditions.

One assumption is that there exists a room that can be used for rearing the chicks and another available as a store for feeds and other poultry materials.

This venture is especially suitable for those in the urban and peri-urban areas because it does not require vast land and the market exists nearby. Many youth groups formed by developmental organizations can take advantage and raise commercial layers for financial gains.

House plan and design

Front view

Side view

Ground plan

Cost of materials and construction

Poultry equipment

Feeders

Feeders are distributed at one round feeder per 25 birds. Therefore 8 feeders are required for each batch of 200 birds. Each round feeder goes at Kshs 600. Cost = Kshs. 4,800.

Waterers

Waterers are distributed alternately between feeders therefore 8 are required for a batch of 200 birds. Each feeder goes at Kshs 600. Cost = Kshs. 4,800.

Laying nests

One box for every four birds is enough. Dimensions should be 12 inches base diameter and 8 inches high walls on the lower end and 12 inches on the higher end. These are usually made of wood. A slanted roof to deter buildup of manure should be placed over the nest boxes to ensure comfort and privacy to the birds.

Perches or roosts

Chickens prefer to roost at night on perches. Perching space of 15 to 20 cm should be allowed for each bird. The cross-section of each perch bar should be 2 to 3 cm.

Egg trays

Assuming a laying percentage of 90%, 6 egg trays are required for each batch of 200 birds. Cost = 600.

Poultry Feeds

Chicks

4 (70 kg bag) bags of chick mash per month for 17 weeks (about 4 months).

Cost = 4 x 4 x 3,300 = 52,800/=.

Layers

8 (70 kg bag) bags of layers mash per month for 200 layers. Cost is 2500 x 8 = Kshs 20,000 per month

NB: You need to verify these prices because feed prices have been changing very fast and depend on locality.

Total cost

Returns

Year 1

Assuming laying percentage at 90%

200 birds x 90% x 8 Mo x 30 days x 8 Kshs/egg = 345,600

Year 2

Assume laying percent of 80%

200 birds x 80% x 12 months x 30 days x 8 Kshs/egg = 460,800

Assuming 80% survival rate

Sale of spent chicken @ Kshs 400 per bird = 200 x 80% x 400 = 64,000

Cash flow

What you can do to cut costs

Obviously the first would be to rent a house instead of constructing one. This will reduce your cost by Kshs 148,070 save for monthly rents for the two years. Besides relying on a temporary structure, the other disadvantage is that you have no control over the housing therefore some house improvements might not be possible. Alternatively you can construct a cheaper house using cheaper materials, and opting for an earth floor.

Finally, other than the financial profits you can get from this endeavour there is also the other benefit which most people do not consider; the vast experience you will get over the two year period in rearing layers for commercial purposes. Well you can try this at home.