How to Start a Profitable Poultry Business in Kenya (2025 Guide)
The poultry business in Kenya is one of the most lucrative agricultural ventures due to high demand for eggs and chicken meat. Whether you’re in rural or urban Kenya, this guide will help you get started and succeed.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start a profitable poultry farming business in Kenya with little capital.
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Poultry Farming in Kenya
1. 
Choose Your Poultry Niche
Poultry farming has various options. Pick one depending on your goals and market:
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Broilers – for meat production
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Layers – for egg production
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Kienyeji (Indigenous) – hardy, low-cost upkeep
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Hatchery Business – producing chicks
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Quail, Ducks, or Turkey – niche markets
Most beginners start with broilers or layers due to fast returns.
2. 
Find a Suitable Location
You’ll need space for:
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Chicken housing
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Feed storage
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Access to clean water and power
Urban farmers can start small with 100–200 birds. Rural farmers can scale faster.
3. 
Build or Buy a Chicken House
Key features of a poultry house:
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Good ventilation
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Protection from predators
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Easy to clean
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Dry and warm environment
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Adequate spacing (avoid overcrowding)
Spacing Tip: 1 sq. foot per broiler; 2 sq. feet per layer.
4. 
Buy Day-Old Chicks or Point-of-Lay Hens
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Get chicks from reputable hatcheries like Kenchic or Muguku
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Broilers mature in 6–8 weeks
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Layers start laying at 5–6 months
Start with manageable numbers (e.g. 100–300 birds) and grow.
5. 
Feed and Water Management
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Use quality commercial feeds (starter, grower, finisher)
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Provide clean water daily
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Supplements can boost immunity and growth
Avoid using maize alone — it lacks full nutrients.
6. 
Health and Vaccination
Vaccinate chicks according to schedule:
| Vaccine | Age | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle | Day 1 | Oral |
| Gumboro | Day 7–14 | Oral |
| Fowl Pox | Week 6–8 | Wing jab |
Also:
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Keep the coop clean
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Isolate sick birds
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Monitor droppings and behavior
7. 
Budget & Business Plan
| Item | Approx. Cost (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 100 Chicks | 5,000–6,000 |
| Poultry House Setup | 20,000–40,000 |
| Feeds (3 months) | 20,000 |
| Vaccination & Drugs | 3,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 5,000 |
| Total | ~KSh 50,000–70,000 |
8. 
Marketing Your Poultry Products
Start marketing before your chickens are ready.
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Sell to hotels, butcheries, restaurants
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Use Facebook, WhatsApp, or local farmers’ markets
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Offer bulk discounts for regular customers
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Package eggs attractively
Tip: Join a poultry farmers group to access buyers and suppliers.
Tips for Success
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Start small and scale gradually
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Keep detailed records (feed, mortality, sales)
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Focus on quality feed and biosecurity
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Stay updated on poultry trends in Kenya
Is Poultry Farming Profitable in Kenya?
Yes. With good management, a small poultry farm of 200 broilers can earn KSh 30,000–50,000 profit in just 6–8 weeks.
Layers can produce daily income through eggs for up to 18 months.
FAQs
Q: Can I start poultry farming with KSh 20,000?
Yes. Start with 50 chicks and grow slowly.
Q: Which is more profitable — broilers or layers? Broilers give faster returns. Layers give consistent, long-term income.
Q: What’s the best chicken breed for Kenya? Kenbro, Kuroiler, and ISA Brown are top performers.
Q: Can I do poultry farming in Nairobi or other towns? Yes. Urban poultry farming is growing fast with vertical and backyard setups.