Poultry — Broilers & Layers
Poultry is one of Nigeria's fastest agribusiness cash cycles. Broilers reach market weight in 6–8 weeks; layers begin laying at 18–22 weeks and produce for over a year. This guide covers housing, brooding, feeding, health, and selling birds and eggs.
From land cultivation to post-harvest and sales
Follow each stage in order — the full value chain for poultry — broilers & layers.
Housing & Biosecurity
Build a well-ventilated, east-west oriented poultry house with concrete floors and good drainage. Stock at ~10 birds/m² for broilers, 3–4 birds per cage or deep-litter for layers. Biosecurity — foot dips, restricted entry, single-age batches (all-in-all-out) — prevents disease.
- East-west orientation reduces heat stress
- All-in-all-out batch system breaks disease cycles
- Foot dips and restricted entry are non-negotiable
Brooding (Chicks)
The first 2–3 weeks (brooding) need heat (33–35°C, reducing weekly), clean water, and starter feed. Pre-heat the brooder 24 hours before chicks arrive. Mortality in brooding is the biggest early loss — manage temperature, ventilation and litter carefully.
- Brooder temp: 33–35°C at day 1, drop ~3°C weekly
- Pre-heat brooder 24 hours before arrival
- Clean water + starter feed from day 1
Feeding & Nutrition
Feed is 60–70% of cost. Use quality commercial feed: starter (0–4 weeks), grower (4–8 weeks broilers; layers to 18 weeks), and layer mash. Provide clean water at all times. For layers, calcium supplementation strengthens eggshells.
- Broilers: starter → finisher (6–8 weeks)
- Layers: chick mash → grower → layer mash
- Constant clean water is critical — birds drink 2× feed
Health & Vaccination
Follow a vaccination schedule: Newcastle (day 1, 7, 21), Gumboro (day 14), and others per vet advice. Watch for coccidiosis, chronic respiratory disease, and Newcastle. Have a vet on call. Biosecurity + vaccination prevents most outbreaks.
- Vaccinate: Newcastle, Gumboro, Marek's per schedule
- Watch for coccidiosis and CRD
- Keep a vet on call; isolate sick birds immediately
Production & Harvest
Broilers reach 2–2.5 kg at 6–8 weeks — sell to restaurants, frozen-food dealers, or live-bird markets. Layers begin laying at ~18 weeks; collect eggs 2–3× daily. Cull spent layers after 12–18 months of lay for meat sales.
- Broilers: sell at 2–2.5 kg, 6–8 weeks
- Layers: collect eggs 2–3× daily
- Cull spent layers for meat income
Marketing & Sales
Sell broilers to quick-service restaurants, frozen-food dealers, and live-bird markets. Sell eggs to shops, bakeries, boarding schools, and wholesalers. Brand and grade eggs by size. Plan batches around festive seasons (Christmas, Sallah) for premium broiler prices.
- Festive seasons command premium broiler prices
- Egg off-takers: shops, bakeries, schools, wholesalers
- Grade and brand eggs by size for premium retail
Watch & learn
Curated, Nigerian-localised training clips from accredited sources and Nigerian farmers.
The Business of Commercial Broiler Farming in Nigeria
Capital, costs and beginner mistakes in broilers.
Watch on YouTubeHow to Start a Profitable Poultry Farm in Nigeria
Poultry startup guide for Nigeria.
Watch on YouTubePoultry With Modupe (Layer Farming in Nigeria)
Layer farming channel focused on Nigeria & Africa.
Watch on YouTubeOne-page cost sheet
Type your figures in the rows below. Totals update live. Print it out and fill the rest with a biro, or download a Word file to keep on your phone.
Youth in Digital Extension · FUTA · TETFund
Poultry — Broilers & Layers
Livestock · Fast cash cycles (broilers) and steady daily income (layers).
Expected revenue
| Product | Qty | Unit price (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live broilers(birds) | — | ||
| Eggs(crates) | — | ||
| Spent layers(birds) | — |
Housing & equipment
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pen construction(per pen) | — | ||
| Drinkers & feeders(pieces) | — | ||
| Brooder / heat source(per batch) | — | ||
| Litter (wood shavings)(bags) | — |
Stock
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-old chicks / pullets(birds) | — | ||
| Stocking & transport(per batch) | — |
Feeds
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter feed(bags) | — | ||
| Grower feed(bags) | — | ||
| Finisher / layer mash(bags) | — |
Health
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccines (Newcastle / Gumboro)(per batch) | — | ||
| Vet / medication(per batch) | — | ||
| Disinfectant / biosecurity(per batch) | — |
Labour, utilities & sales
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour (per cycle)(weeks) | — | ||
| Electricity / fuel(per cycle) | — | ||
| Crates / transport to market(per trip) | — |
Figures are editable and stay on this device. For planning only — verify current input prices with local agro-dealers and extension officers.