He had trained for many years. Because of that, people knew him as wise, brave, and full of experience.
Many young warriors wanted to learn from him. However, it was very hard to become his student. In fact, it was almost impossible.
One day, he was choosing new students. At that time, a young man who had dreamed of becoming a samurai master all his life stepped forward.
“Master,” he asked, “how long will it take for me to become a master?”
A young warrior training to be a Samurai master.
The old master replied, “Ten years.”
The young man was shocked. So he quickly said, “Ten years is too long! What if I train twice as hard? What if I train day and night? How long will it take then?”
The master looked at him and smiled gently. Then he said, “In that case, it will take twenty years.”
The young warrior was confused. Therefore, he asked, “Why twenty years?”
Calmly, the master answered, “Because if you have one eye fixed on the destination, you only have one eye left to find your way.”
What Is The Lesson?
The lesson is simple.
To achieve true mastery, you must let go of the goal and embrace the process.
In other words, do not rush. Instead, focus on learning step by step.
What This Means For Your Farm..
This lesson also applies to farming.
Many people think only about money. Others think about owning large land or having a big herd. However, that is not where mastery begins.
First, think about planning. Next, focus on daily management. After that, solve problems as they come. Finally, always look for new opportunities.
Success on the farm does not start with profit. Rather, it starts with good systems and patience.
So stop thinking only about the money, the land, or the herd. Instead, think about the process every single day.
That is how true mastery is built.
In line with that..if you’re planning to start layer poultry farming,
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That question has been debated for many years among poultry farmers. Although many people think the answer is obvious, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Before we go further, let me ask you something.
Did you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you did, did you complete all the doses?
As of late 2024, about 70% of the global population received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. However, in many low-income countries like Kenya, only about 38.9% received even the first dose.
Therefore, vaccine hesitancy is not just a chicken problem. It is a human problem too.
For the record, I received my full COVID-19 vaccination.
Because I am in my final year of medical school at the University of Nairobi, I understand how vaccines work in both humans and animals.
Now, let us apply those same principles to poultry farming.
In this article, I will:
Explain how vaccines work.
Address common concerns about chicken vaccination.
Give five clear reasons why you should vaccinate your chickens.
Share practical tips to avoid costly mistakes.
Ultimately, the final decision is yours. However, I encourage you to read carefully so you can protect your birds, your customers, and your profits.
How Do Vaccines Work?
Let me simplify how vaccines work.
Normally, when a disease attacks a chicken, the body produces “soldiers” (antibodies) to fight the virus, bacteria, or parasite. If the chicken’s immunity is strong, those soldiers destroy the disease before serious signs appear.
However, when immunity is weak, the disease multiplies. As a result, the chicken becomes sick and may die.
Fortunately, when a chicken survives an infection, the body keeps memory cells. Because of that memory, the body can respond faster if the same disease attacks again.
So how does a vaccine help?
Simply put, a vaccine contains a weakened or killed form of a disease. When you give it to a healthy bird, the body produces soldiers without causing full disease.
Later, if Newcastle disease, Gumboro (Infectious Bursal Disease), Fowl Pox, or Infectious Bronchitis attacks, the bird is already prepared.
Consequently, the immune system responds quickly and strongly. That is the basic science behind chicken vaccination.
Despite what you might have heard, vaccinating your chicken is more beneficial than harmful and honestly, a MUST.
5 Common Concerns About Poultry Vaccination
Although vaccines are widely used in layer poultry farming in Kenya, many farmers still have concerns.
Let us address them honestly.
1. Vaccines Make Birds Sick And Kill Them
Yes, vaccines can cause mild reactions. However, serious death from vaccines is rare when birds are healthy.
In most cases, problems happen because:
The birds were already sick.
The wrong dosage was used.
The vaccine was poorly stored.
Biosecurity was weak.
Therefore, proper poultry biosecurity and correct handling are critical.
2. Vaccines Do Not Work
It is true that vaccines are not 100% effective. However, no medical intervention in the world is 100%.
Even so, vaccinated flocks have much lower mortality during outbreaks of Newcastle disease or Gumboro compared to unvaccinated flocks.
In other words, vaccination reduces risk. It does not eliminate risk completely.
3. Vaccines Contaminate Eggs And Meat
Some farmers worry that vaccines remain in the chicken’s body and make eggs unsafe to eat.
However, approved poultry vaccines are tested for safety. Most do not remain in meat or eggs in harmful amounts when used correctly.
In fact, vaccination often improves food safety by reducing diseases like Salmonella that can contaminate eggs.Therefore, following proper dosage and observing recommended guidelines ensures both bird health and consumer safety.
4. Vaccines Are Expensive
Some farmers believe chicken vaccination increases production costs.
At first glance, that concern makes sense because every input on a poultry farm affects profit.However, vaccines usually make up a very small percentage of total farm costs.
In most layer poultry farms in Kenya, vaccination costs are only a small fraction of feed, housing, and labor expenses.
Therefore, the real question is not “Are vaccines expensive?”
Instead, the better question is, “Compared to what?”
Because disease outbreaks like Newcastle disease or Gumboro can wipe out an entire flock, skipping vaccination is often the more expensive decision in the long run.
We will look at the actual numbers shortly.
5. Conspiracy Theories
Some people say vaccines are brought to kill our birds so that large companies control the egg market.
Others claim vaccines are just a money-making scheme.
However, these simply lack evidence and cannot be supported.
So, Should You Vaccinate Your Chicken?
Yes.
Here are five practical reasons:
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1. To Prevent Disease
Vaccines were created to prevent disease before it destroys lives or flocks.
For example, vaccination helped eliminate polio in humans and reduce tetanus worldwide.
Similarly, using a proper chicken vaccination schedule protects your birds from deadly poultry diseases.
2. To Reduce Mortality
When your birds are protected, fewer die during outbreaks. Meanwhile, unvaccinated farms suffer heavy losses.
Imagine an outbreak of Infectious Bronchitis in your area. In that situation, vaccinated birds are far more likely to survive than the unvaccinated flocks.
3. Herd Immunity
When most birds in a flock are vaccinated, disease spreads more slowly. As a result, even birds that missed vaccination may have some protection.
Nevertheless, you should always aim to vaccinate the entire flock properly.
4. Better Quality Produce
Food safety matters.
Although salmonella contamination is a known global problem, proper vaccination and good hygiene reduce the risk significantly.
In fact, some egg buyers and large distributors require proof of a proper chicken vaccination schedule before purchasing eggs.
Therefore, vaccination supports both public health and market access.
5. To Save And Make Money
Every poultry farmer is in business to make profit.
Because disease reduces egg production, increases mortality, and raises treatment costs, it directly eats into your income. Vaccination protects your cash flow.
Let us look at the numbers..
Ksh 5,000 for vaccines or Ksh 200,000 loss from total flock death.
Ksh 5,000 for vaccines or Ksh 50,000 spent on treatment.
Ksh 5,000 investment or Ksh 500,000 lost egg income over two years.
Clearly, this is not just about disease prevention. It is about protecting your business.
As the saying goes, if education is expensive, try ignorance.
Likewise, if vaccines seem expensive, try treating Newcastle.
Practical Tips For Vaccinating Your Chicken
First, remember that proper biosecurity is your strongest protection.
Second, consult a local poultry vet about common diseases in your area.
Third, vaccinate birds before they get sick. Vaccines prevent disease; they do not cure it.
Finally, get a clear vaccination schedule from a reputable day-old chick supplier.
Now You Have The Facts
At this point, the decision is yours.
However, if you are serious about layer poultry farming in Kenya, protecting your flock should be a priority.
So ask yourself again: Should you vaccinate your chicken?
If your goal is healthy birds, safe eggs, and steady profits, the answer is clear.
Let me tell you my story. I’m from Tezo, Kilifi County, about 10 km from Kilifi town. Sometimes, I buy one tomato for Ksh.10. On the best days, I’ve bought a single tomato for just Ksh.5.
For someone who doesn’t know the supply chain for agricultural produce, that may seem normal. However, a deeper look—or just a quick search on Google—reveals the truth. It’s shocking and a little terrifying.
In 2024, tomato prices in Kirinyaga dropped to Ksh.15 per kilogram. When a farmer sells that kilo for Ksh.15 to a middleman, the price in Kilifi jumps to around Ksh.70–100 per kilogram. That is a huge difference, and it shows how much profit is being captured by middlemen instead of the farmers who grew the tomatoes.
Imagine if I could check online and see a farmer in Kirinyaga selling tomatoes for Ksh.40 per kilogram. I would buy immediately. I would pay Ksh.30–50 less. At the same time, the farmer would earn Ksh.25 more, which is a 167% increase. This kind of win-win situation is exactly what online marketplaces could make possible.
It’s not as simple as it sounds. Many farmers in Kenya already use social media like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to sell their produce. It works for some, but there are challenges that make it hard to scale and provide real value for both farmers and consumers.
Today, let’s focus on farmers online marketplaces, like Mkulima Young, Mkulima Bora, and Mkulima Online. These are different from social media platforms.
What Can They Do To Help Me Buy 2 kg Of Tomatoes From Kilifi At A Fair Price While Also Ensuring That Farmers Earn More?
1. Logistics
Farmers often cannot sell to all individual buyers across the country because transporting small amounts of produce is expensive. If they try to deliver on their own, the cost may wipe out their profits. Middlemen solve this problem by collecting from many farmers and delivering to consumers, but they usually pay farmers very low prices.
Online marketplaces need a reliable logistics system to solve this problem. They can either build their own delivery network or partner with delivery companies. By solving this hurdle, marketplaces can help farmers sell at fair prices while making sure consumers still pay less than they would at the market.
2. Trust
Trust is one of the biggest challenges. No buyer wants to pay for goods that never arrive, and no farmer wants to deliver produce without being paid. Many online platforms in Kenya struggle because buyers and farmers are unsure whether the other party can be trusted.
Even though M-Pesa exists for safe payments, many buyers prefer to negotiate on WhatsApp. People feel more control and security when they can see and communicate directly with the seller. Platforms like Jumia show that trust can be built over time with consistent service and marketing, but it takes years and a big budget to convince buyers to feel safe using a platform.
3. Business Model
Another important challenge is the business model itself. Should online marketplaces sell directly to consumers or focus on mama mbogas? A B2B (business-to-business) model could actually be more effective.
In this approach, farmers sell at higher prices to the platform. The platform then sells to mama mbogas at lower prices than the middleman would charge. Finally, consumers get fresh produce at lower prices from the mama mbogas. This system ensures that everyone benefits: farmers earn more, mama mbogas pay less, and consumers get better prices.
Twiga Foods uses a similar model. They buy produce directly from farmers at fair prices and supply mama mbogas reliably. Even though they act like a large middleman, they are more predictable and less exploitative. Online marketplaces could adopt this strategy to create a fairer agricultural supply chain.
What Next?
Farmers online marketplaces can succeed if they solve logistics, trust, and business model challenges. Platforms that address these issues will empower farmers, reduce middlemen exploitation, and make fresh produce more affordable for consumers. In the future, these marketplaces could even help farmers export produce across Africa and the world.
Do you think online marketplaces can really help farmers escape middlemen?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Follow my YouTube channel to learn more about how you can start and run a profitable layer poultry farm👇🏿
Are you confused about which vaccines to give your layers and when to give them?
Many farmers feel frustrated because there are different vaccination schedules for layers online. Even reputable hatcheries sometimes give slightly different timelines.
I will make it simple for you in this post.
But before we see the full vaccination schedule for layers, here are 5 key things every farmer should know:
1.Local Diseases Matter
Different areas have different common poultry diseases. For example, in areas with infectious coryza, the coryza vaccine will be included in the schedule.
Tip: Check with neighbors or your local vet to know which diseases are common in your area. This will help you plan your vaccines better.
2.Most Schedules Have The Same Vaccines
Common vaccines include: Marek’s, Newcastle (ND), Gumboro (IBD), Fowl Pox, and Fowl Typhoid. You will see these in most schedules.
Tip: Keep a small notebook with your vaccination dates. It makes it easy to track boosters and avoid missing doses.
3.Timings Can Be Confusing
Different schedules online can seem very different. Don’t panic. Focus on the principles.
Tip: Don’t compare schedules from different regions. Focus on what matches your region and farm conditions.
4.Follow Your Hatchery
Always use the vaccination schedule given by your chick supplier. Registered and licensed hatcheries know what works best for your area.
Tip: If your supplier gives a printed schedule, keep it in a safe place. Refer to it every week to stay on track.
5.Consult A Local Poultry Vet
Even if your supplier gives a schedule, a local vet can advise you based on diseases common in your area.
Tip: Even a quick phone call can save you money and prevent disease outbreaks.
These five principles will save you confusion and help you vaccinate your layers properly.
Common Patterns In Vaccination Schedules
After reviewing many schedules online, I found two main patterns:
Simple schedules: Direct, easy to follow, covering common diseases.
Complex schedules: From licensed hatcheries like Kenchic. More detailed but credible.
Both work if you follow the 5 key principles above.
What I Use For My Birds
I follow the schedule given by my supplier.
I follow the Kenchic schedule because I buy my chicks from them and my farm is in Kenya.
Vaccination Schedule 1 (Simple)
0–8 Weeks: Brooding & Early Grower Stage
Day/ Week
Vaccination
Method
1
Mareks
At Hatchery
7
New Castle -HB1
Eye drop Drinking water
14
Gumboro (IBD) – First
Drinking water
21
Gumboro – Second
Drinking water
28
New Castle -Lasota
Drinking water
Week 6
Fowl Pox
Wing stab
Week 8
New Castle – Lasota
Injection
8–18 Weeks: Grower to Point of Lay
Week
Vaccination
Method
10
Gumboro (If disease high in your area)
Injection
12
New Castle – Lasota
Drinking water
14
Fowl Typhoid
Injection
16
Deworming
18
New Castle Sometimes plus IB
Injectiom
Laying Period (18–80 Weeks)
Week
Vaccination
Method
Every 6-8 weeks
New Castle – Lasota
Drinking water
Every 8-12 weeks
Deworming
Every 3 weeks
Fowl Typhoid booster
The simple vaccination schedule for layers by Secret Layers
Vaccination Schedule 2 (Kenchic)
Kenchic vaccination schedule for layers
Note: Kenchic’s schedule is more detailed, which is helpful for larger farms or areas with high disease pressure.
Follow and stick to your supplier’s recommended schedule.
Following a proper vaccination schedule for layers protects your birds, saves money on vet bills, and keeps egg production steady. Even small farms can achieve healthy flocks if vaccines are given on time.
Let me know in the comments if you use a different schedule or have any tips to share.
I publish weekly videos on starting and running a profitable layer poultry farm on my YouTube channel. Subscribe so you don’t miss the next video👇🏿
This is a parable from ancient China that teaches us that things are neither good nor bad. They just are.
An image illustration of the Chinese farmer’s eldest boy on a horse
A farmer in a rural Chinese village bought a horse and brought it home. Early the next morning, as he was feeding the horse, it ran away. His neighbors felt sorry for him. They gathered around his farm and said, “We’re so sorry. How unlucky.”
The farmer calmly replied, “We’ll see.”
Just before sunset the next day, the horse returned with seven wild horses. The farmer and his family were very happy. The neighbors came back, smiling. “Oh, you’re so lucky! You now have eight horses. Your farm will grow quickly.”
The farmer replied, “We’ll see.”
Three days later, the farmer’s eldest son tried to ride one of the wild horses. He couldn’t control it, and the horse threw him over. The boy fell on the rocks and broke his leg. The neighbors said, “You’re so unlucky. The horses weren’t blessings at all. Poor boy. Poor family.”
The farmer simply said, “We’ll see.”
The following day, war broke out in the country. The king’s officers came to recruit young men for the army. The farmer’s son was rejected because of his injury. All the neighbors ran to him, saying, “Oh my God! Your son was spared. That’s so fortunate. How lucky!”
The farmer replied, “We’ll see.”
Life events are not inherently good or bad. They just happen. Many times, we try to assign meaning to them. We label events as good or bad. In reality, they don’t make sense in isolation.
Only after time passes, when you look at the bigger picture, does their meaning become clear.
Why Did I Write This Story On A Layer Poultry Farming Blog?
Things will happen in your life and on your farm. More than anything, you need a strong mind to get through these situations, whether they seem good or bad.
You’ll have good seasons, high production, and strong prices. Other times, you may face disease outbreaks, feed price hikes, personal emergencies, or very poor production.
That doesn’t mean you try to assign meaning to each situation. Instead, focus on solving the problem at hand or enjoying the success at hand.
That’s all that matters.
To learn more about resilience in farming, you need to know about DR.STARR a successful layer poultry farmer.
Get this Free Layer Poultry Farming Guide to learn how to start and run your layer poultry farm profitably.
One morning, as he went to check on his goose, he noticed something unusual sitting in the nest — a bright, heavy, golden egg. At first, he doubted it. He thought it was some trick. He almost tossed it aside. But something held him back. He took it for evaluation, and to his shock, the egg was pure gold.
The farmer and the goose that laid golden eggs.
The next morning, the same thing happened. And the next. Day after day, the goose produced a golden egg. Slowly, the farmer’s life changed. His poverty faded. His confidence grew. His small farm started to feel like a miracle.
But as his wealth increased, so did his impatience. He grew tired of waiting for one egg each day. He wanted all the gold immediately. So he made a dangerous decision: he slaughtered the goose, hoping to find a pile of golden eggs inside.
When he opened it, the truth hit him. There were no golden eggs inside. And there was no goose anymore. He had destroyed the very source of his success.
In Stephen Covey’s book : The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, this is what he says…
Within this parable is a natural law — the real definition of effectiveness. (Which in the farmers context I’ll say profitability)
Many farmers think profitability means producing more. More output. More results. More action.
But the story shows a deeper truth: profitability is always a balance between what you produce (the eggs) and the capacity or asset that produces it (the goose).
If you chase results and ignore the source, you lose everything.
If you only protect the source and forget the goal, you will starve.
True success comes from managing both — production and production capacity — at the same time.
Let me know in the comments how you are managing production and production capacity on your farm.
Some lessons hit you in ways you never forget—this one came from chickens.
When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time around poultry farms. One morning, my dad decided to take us to see how different types of chicken farms operate.
We arrived at the broiler farm just as the sun was rising. The air was thick with the smell of feed and the soft hum of ventilation fans. Workers moved quickly, carrying the chickens from their pens toward the processing area. The birds scattered and squawked, jostling against one another. You could almost feel their fear—they knew what was coming. My dad led us aside before we saw anything more, but the lesson was already clear: these birds were being raised for a single, final payoff. Everything on the farm was geared toward one moment—the sale.
A few days later, my dad took us to a layer farm. The difference hit me immediately. The hens moved calmly, pecking at the feed, scratching the ground, and laying eggs day after day. The barn was quieter, the atmosphere almost peaceful. The farmer collected the eggs as they came, creating a steady, predictable flow of income. Unlike the broiler farm, success here didn’t depend on selling the birds—it depended on the output they produced consistently.
Layer Chicken in a poultry house.
My dad stopped and looked at me. “See the difference?” he asked. Both farms own valuable assets—the chickens—but they treat them in completely different ways.
The broiler farmer is like an investor chasing capital gains: the money comes only at the end, when the asset is sold.
The layer farmer is like an investor chasing cash flow: the asset produces money day after day, steadily and reliably.
Most people invest like broiler farmers—they wait for a single big payout and call it risky. The wiser approach is to think like the layer farmer and be the layer farmer: focus on cash flow, let your assets work for you every day, and build wealth steadily.
This is a fictional story inspired by the story of the cattle rancher and dairy farmer in Robert Kiyosaki’s book : Who Took My Money? Why Slow Investors Lose And Fast Money Wins.
I have been having a debate with myself for quite some time about whether I should choose day old chicks or just buy point of lay birds.
If you’re interested in layer poultry farming but you haven’t started yet, you’re more likely to face the same dilemma.
Should I buy day old chicks and raise them for about five months before I start earning, or should I buy point of lay birds and start making money next week?
And if you’ve been a follower of my Facebook and X (which I highly recommend you follow by the way… you’re missing a lot), you already know I prefer day old chicks to point of lay birds.
In this post, I’m going to show you why I chose day old chicks—not to convince you, but to show you my thought process. Hopefully, you’ll learn something from it.
1. Little Capital Required To Start
One day old layer chick costs around Ksh.150 right now(2025), while point of lay birds cost between Ksh.500–Ksh.1500, depending on age and seller. For me, day old chicks are a better option because they require less money to acquire the birds.
At first, I won’t have that much capital. Day old chicks give me a chance to start with a small budget and grow from there. This doesn’t include the cost of feeding for the 4.5 months, but at least I can start the poultry business with little money and buy more feed as I continue.
Let’s say I want to start with 100 birds.
🔴Day Old Chicks
✅Day Old Chicks cost 100 × 150 = Ksh.15,000
✅Each bird needs about 1.25kg in 8 weeks 100 birds × 2.5 = 250kg One 50kg bag = Ksh.4,000
Cost of 250kg
250 × 4000/50 = Ksh.20,000
Total = Ksh.35,000
🔴Point Of Lay
✅Point of lay birds cost
100 × Ksh.850 = Ksh.85,000
Total = Ksh.85,000
And that’s just the birds. I haven’t bought even one bag of feeds.
So you see the difference. A huge Ksh.50,000.
And this is before feeds. This is why day old chicks work for me—they let me start small as I continue finding money.
Caution: Make sure you have money to continue feeding your birds. If not, you’ll end up killing your chicks or selling them at a loss.
2.Learning Opportunity
A good number of people hate school, but this type of learning is different. And remember if you’re not learning, you’re dying.
Humans grow when they learn new things, and that’s exactly what day old chicks offer.
They give you a chance to learn how to:
– Prepare before receiving chicks – Brood correctly – Follow a vaccination schedule – Maintain strong biosecurity
You get to learn these for almost five months. Point of lay birds don’t give you this chance. They have already been brooded, most vaccines done, and all you get is a near-finished product.
Where is the fun in being handed success on a silver platter?
The amount of knowledge I’ve gained from brooding alone is massive. If I had planned to buy point of lay birds, I wouldn’t have bothered learning about brooding or vaccinations.
3. They’re Easier And Safer To Source
Getting 100 point of lay birds is easy. But what if your farm grows and now you want 5,000 birds? How easy will it be to source 5,000 point of lay birds from one place? Let me tell you—it’s as easy as getting rich quick in farming. Yes, I scared you there, but it’s true.
As your egg business grows, sourcing point of lay birds becomes difficult. You’ll need to buy in small batches from different sellers, and I personally don’t want that.
On the other hand, if you wanted 10,000 day old chicks today, you know where you would get them. Big hatcheries supply them all over Kenya, and they are credible compared to most point of lay sellers—mostly farmers like you and me.
Another sourcing problem with point of lay birds is the lack of transparency. You don’t know:
– If the vaccination records are true – If the feeding program was followed – If the birds are uniform – If the birds are healthy – Or even their exact age
Many farmers buy “18-week-old” birds expecting eggs in one week, only for them to start laying two months later. Others buy mixed breeds, including dual-purpose chickens instead of hybrid layers.
Worst of all, some farmers buy birds that fall sick or die the next day—even with updated vaccination cards.
Imagine paying Ksh.85,000 for 100 point of lay birds only for them to die. You don’t want that.
This almost never happens with day old chicks if you buy from regulated hatcheries.
Day old chicks vs Point of lay birds
4. They Offer Control Over Your Business
Day old chicks give me full control over my business. I choose when to stock, how to brood, what to feed, which vaccines to use, and how to raise my flock.
You can’t do that with point of lay birds.
What if you want to stock next month, but your supplier’s birds are still three weeks old? You wait. You also don’t control how they brooded, fed, or handled those birds.
Big layer poultry farms don’t buy point of lay birds. They all buy day old chicks and raise them themselves. Why? Because control is everything. Even cost control.
Plus remember, the seller wants profit. If their feed prices were high, they’ll pass that cost to you.
Control your business if you want to scale your poultry farm.
5. Profitability
Day old chicks are simply more profitable than point of lay birds. The only advantage point of lay have is quick cash, which doesn’t last.
With day old chicks, you control your production cost from the beginning. With time, your brooding becomes effective, mortality stays low, your cost stays down, and you get maximum production from your layers.
This results in: – More eggs – Better profits – Predictable performance
Something that is hard to achieve with point of lay birds because the foundation is out of your hands.
And if you want, you can even sell your own point of lay birds later and profit from your skills. I’m not saying you should—but you can.
6. Fun
Lastly, day old chicks are fun. They’re like babies—many babies. You get them on day one of life and you raise them to maturity. They don’t get married, but they lay eggs. Hallelujah!
By the way that’s normal😅
The sad part is selling them off as ex-layers.
And Fun is part of our Secret Layers core values.
If you’re not fun, buy point of lay birds.
Those are the six reasons why I chose day old chicks and point of lay birds. They give me control, the ability to scale, and I enjoy doing it.
Let me know in the comments what you will choose for your farm—DOC or POL—and why. You might have better reasons, and I’d love to know.
If brooding is the main challenge stopping you from choosing day old chicks, get this Free Layer Poultry Farming Guide and I’ll send you a Free Brooding Guide next.
Ludwig Wittgenstein “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”
You can’t operate expertly in a field if you don’t understand the words that define it. This is everything you should know about layer chicken, layer poultry farming and the business of layers. The list will be updated every week with new information. Please learn. Layers – Adult hens raised primarily for egg production. In layer poultry farming, layers are the backbone of your egg business, providing consistent daily eggs once they reach maturity.
Pullets – Young female chickens, usually under 20 weeks old, that have not yet started laying eggs. Pullets are the future layers of your flock.
Day-Old Chicks (DOCs) – Newly hatched chicks, only a day old. Farmers buy day-old chicks to rear them into pullets or point-of-lay birds for egg production.
Point of Lay (POL) – Birds that are about 16–20 weeks old and ready to start laying eggs. Point-of-lay hens are ideal for farmers who want to begin egg production quickly.
Feeder – A container or tray used to provide feed to your birds. Using the right feeder in layer poultry farming ensures minimal feed wastage and healthy growth.
Drinker – Equipment that supplies clean water to chickens. Proper drinkers are crucial for layers’ health and optimal egg production.
Brooding – The process of keeping chicks warm, usually with a heat source, during their first few weeks. Brooding is critical to prevent chick mortality.
Incubator – A machine used to hatch eggs artificially by maintaining the right temperature and humidity. Incubators allow farmers to hatch chicks without using a broody hen.
Mortality – The number of birds that die within a flock over a given period. Low mortality rates indicate good management in layer poultry farming.
Layer Mash – A balanced feed specially formulated for laying hens to maximize egg production and quality. Layer mash provides the nutrients needed for strong shells and healthy layers.
Bird – A general term for chickens, hens, or roosters in your flock. In layer poultry farming, the term usually refers to your egg-laying hens.
Feed to Egg Conversion Ratio (FCR) – A measure of how efficiently a layer converts feed into eggs. Lower FCR means better efficiency and higher profitability.
Ex-Layers / Spent Layers – Hens that have completed their peak laying period and are no longer productive. Farmers often sell them for meat or dispose of them responsibly.
Debeaking – A management practice where part of a chicken’s beak is trimmed to prevent feather pecking or cannibalism. Debeaking helps protect your flock in crowded layer farms.
Culling – The process of removing weak, sick, or unproductive birds from the flock. Culling ensures only healthy layers remain for maximum egg production.
Litter – Bedding material, like wood shavings or straw, used on the poultry house floor. Proper litter management keeps your birds healthy and reduces disease risk.
Cages – Enclosures used to house layers, especially in commercial layer poultry farming. Cage systems help manage feed, water, and egg collection efficiently.
Newcastle Disease – A highly contagious viral disease that affects chickens, causing respiratory issues and high mortality. Vaccination is critical to protect your flock.
Infectious Bronchitis (IB) – A viral disease in poultry that affects the respiratory system and egg production. Proper biosecurity and vaccination reduce the risk.
Marek’s Disease – A viral disease in chickens that causes tumors and paralysis. Vaccinating day-old chicks helps prevent Marek’s in your flock.
Deworming – The process of giving chickens medication to remove internal parasites. Regular deworming keeps your layers healthy and improves feed-to-egg efficiency.
Gumboro (Infectious Bursal Disease– A viral disease affecting young chickens, weakening their immune system. Vaccination protects your flock and supports healthy layer development.
Starter Mash – A high-protein feed for day-old chicks to ensure healthy growth in the first few weeks. Starter mash is the foundation for strong pullets.
Grower Mash – Feed given to pullets after the starter stage but before they begin laying eggs. Grower mash ensures proper growth and readiness for point-of-lay.
Free Range – A system where chickens can roam outdoors for part of the day. Free-range layers often produce healthier eggs and can command a premium price.
Pasture Raised – Chickens raised primarily outdoors on pasture with access to insects and grasses. Pasture-raised layers provide high-quality, nutrient-rich eggs and enjoy better welfare.
