How long do broilers take to reach market weight in Kenya?

Commercial broilers reach 2–2.5kg in 6 weeks and 2.5–3kg in 7–8 weeks under good management. Key factors are high-protein broiler starter mash, clean water at all times, correct brooding temperatures, and good ventilation. Poor management can stretch this to 10+ weeks.

What feed do broilers need in Kenya?

Broilers need broiler starter mash (23–24% protein) from day 1 to week 3, then broiler finisher mash (20% protein) from week 3 to slaughter. Feed must be available at all times — broilers do not thrive on restricted feeding. Clean water is equally critical.

How profitable is broiler farming in Kenya?

At 2kg market weight and KShs 350–400 per kg live weight, one broiler returns KShs 700–800. Feed cost for 6 weeks is approximately KShs 400–450 per bird. Net margin is KShs 200–350 per bird before fixed costs. Profitability is driven by feed conversion — the less feed it takes to produce 1kg of meat, the higher your margin.

Broiler Chicks Kenya | Fast Growth

1–2

Weeks

Week 1–2 · Brooding

Critical First 14 Days

This is where most broiler farmers lose money. Chicks arrive dehydrated and cold from transport. First action: give warm water with glucose or sugar before you give any feed — this restores energy. Brooder temperature must be exactly 33°C on day 1. Use a thermometer, not guesswork. Watch the chicks: if they crowd under the heat source they are cold — raise the brooder. If they spread to the edges and pant they are hot — lower it. Spread throughout the brooder means temperature is correct. Floor space: at least 0.1 square metres per chick in week 1. Use broiler starter mash (23–24% protein) and keep feeders and drinkers low enough for chicks to reach. Clean water available 24 hours. Vaccinate for Newcastle at day 7 via eye drop — do not miss this.

33°C day 1 → 30°C day 7 → watch chick behaviour

Glucose water before first feed — restores energy

Broiler starter mash 23–24% protein, ad libitum

Newcastle vaccine day 7 — eye drop method

3–4

Weeks

Week 3–4 · Growth Phase

Maximum Feed Intake

By week 3 your broilers should weigh 700–900g. This is their fastest growth period. Switch to broiler finisher mash (20% protein) at the start of week 3 — it is cheaper than starter and sufficient for the growth phase. Give birds 23 hours of light and 1 hour of darkness per day — light drives feeding behaviour and growth. By week 4 your birds should be around 1.4–1.6kg. Ventilation is critical now: larger birds produce more heat and ammonia. Open sides of the brooder house or use fans. Ammonia from droppings causes respiratory infections that slow growth dramatically. Separate any sick or slow-growing birds immediately — they eat feed and spread disease without growing.

Switch to broiler finisher mash at week 3

23 hours light per day to maximise feed intake

Target weight: 700–900g at week 3, 1.4–1.6kg at week 4

Ventilation critical — ammonia kills growth rate

Commercial broilers at market weight Kenya

Week 5–6 · Finishing

To Market Weight

Week 5–6 is finishing. Your birds should be 2–2.5kg by end of week 6. Withhold feed for 6–8 hours before slaughter — empty crop and gizzard improves carcass quality and reduces contamination risk during processing. Do not withhold water until 2 hours before slaughter — water restriction stresses birds and shrinks the carcass. Weigh a sample of birds at day 35 and day 42. If average weight is below target by more than 15%, something is wrong: check feed quality, check water availability, check for respiratory disease signs. Plan your market before slaughter — broilers deteriorate fast without refrigeration. Sell live, slaughter on-farm, or supply to a buyer who collects. Calculate your feed conversion ratio: total feed used divided by total live weight gained. A good FCR is 1.8–2.0. Above 2.5 means something was wrong with your management.

Target 2–2.5kg at week 6

Withhold feed 6–8 hrs before slaughter — not water

Good FCR: 1.8–2.0 kg feed per kg weight gain

Plan your market before slaughter day

Profit Calculator

100 birds, 6 weeks

Profitability · 100 Birds

What to Expect per Cycle

With 100 broiler chicks, here is a realistic breakdown for one 6-week cycle in Kenya. Assume 95% survival (5 losses), so 95 birds at 2.2kg average = 209kg live weight. At KShs 350/kg live, revenue is KShs 73,150. Feed cost: 100 chicks × 4.5kg feed each = 450kg feed. At KShs 75/kg finisher, that is KShs 33,750. Chick cost: 100 × KShs 110 = KShs 11,000. Vaccines, medication, bedding: approximately KShs 3,000. Total costs: KShs 48,750. Gross profit: KShs 24,400 per 6-week cycle. That is 8 cycles per year if you manage turnaround efficiently — KShs 195,000+ gross per year from 100 birds. Scale to 500 birds and the economics improve significantly due to fixed cost spreading.

100 birds → approx KShs 24,000 gross profit per cycle

8 cycles possible per year

Margins improve significantly at 500+ birds

Use our homepage calculator for your exact numbers

Commercial Broiler Chicks in Kenya

The 6-Week Broiler Cycle — Week by Week

Critical First 14 Days

Maximum Feed Intake

To Market Weight

What to Expect per Cycle

The 3 Diseases That Kill Broiler Profits

Broiler Chick Prices — Day-Old Only

Ready to start your broiler cycle?