Realistic 2026 broiler economics (Kiambu/Limuru standard)
- Day-old broiler chicks: KES 100-130
- Total feed per bird (6-week growout): 4-5 kg
- Feed price: KES 65-80/kg (commercial broiler finisher)
- Mortality rate: 3-7% (industry good practice)
- Market price at 6 weeks: KES 600-900 per bird (dressed/live varies)
- Cycles per year: 6-8 with proper turnaround
Net per cycle on 500 broilers: profit typically KES 60-120k. At 7 cycles/year, that's KES 420-840k annual profit on KES 200-300k working capital, which is a strong return, but you live or die by feed cost (60-65% of total cost).
Where farmers go broke
- Buying poor-quality chicks: cheaper chicks have higher mortality, eat more feed, weigh less at market. Industry-leader hatchery (Kenchic, Kim's Hatchery, Muguku) costs KES 10-20 more per chick, worth every shilling.
- Disease wipe-outs: Newcastle, Gumboro can take 30-60% of a flock if vaccination is missed. Vaccinate at day 1, 14, 21.
- Selling at the wrong moment: holding birds past 6 weeks for "more weight", but feed cost beyond 6 weeks rises faster than weight gain. Sell on schedule.