Once, Buddha was trying to teach his students a lesson.
So, he sat them under a tree and asked them a question.
“If I shoot you with an arrow, would it hurt?”
“Yes,” the students said in unison.
Then, he asked another question.
“If I shoot you again with a second arrow at the same spot, would it hurt?”
This time, the students looked shocked.
“Of course it would,” they replied.
At this point, Buddha cleared his throat and continued.
“In life, we are usually hit with two arrows.”
First, there is the arrow of life. This includes suffering, loss, disease, and disappointment. All these things are painful. However, most of them are not under our control.
Then comes the second arrow. This is how we respond to the first one. For example, it is the self-criticism, the overthinking, and the doubt.
In addition, it is the constant questioning and denial.
As a result, this second arrow becomes even more painful.
But here is the most important part. The second arrow is totally under your control.
Therefore, how you react to problems determines your level of suffering. As it is often said, pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Now, What Does This Have To Do With Farming?
I believe you cannot become a successful farmer before you master yourself.
You see, life as a farmer will hit you from all sides.
Anything that can go wrong on your farm will go wrong.
At the same time, life will also keep happening.
You will get sick. Your family and friends will get sick. You might lose your job. You will even get into disagreements.
So, what really matters is not whether these things happen.
Instead, it is how you respond to them. Spending all your time focusing on problems will not help you.
However, acknowledging what happened and focusing on solutions will.
That is what separates you from other farmers.
In fact, as Alex Hormozi and Leila Hormozi often say: “F**k your mood. Follow the plan.”
That is the mindset you need to have.
By the way, if you have been struggling with early chick deaths within the first one month, I created something for you.
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Save feed costs on your poultry farm! Use azolla! Use black soldier fly larvae! Use hydroponic fodder!
These are ideas you hear everywhere as creative ways of lowering poultry feed costs on your farm. In fact, azolla is the most popular of them all and has gained global attention.
Last week, I made a post about 4 cheap poultry feed options you can use on your poultry farm.
These feed sources promise many farmers something very attractive. Moreover, the promise is not only for poultry farmers but also for livestock farmers.
The promise is simple.
First, they say you will make more profits. Second, they claim you can defeat what I call the biggest monster in poultry farming — feed costs.
However, is it really true? Do these cheap poultry feed alternatives really increase profits the way marketers claim?
Meanwhile, businesses have been built around azolla and black soldier fly larvae poultry feed (BSFL). Some entrepreneurs even produce tonnes of BSFL every week.
In addition, influencers have built entire online brands around azolla farming.
Therefore the real question becomes this: Are these alternative poultry feeds truly helpful, or are they just another gimmick that keeps farmers stuck in the same vicious cycle?
In this blog post, I will give you five reasons why I would never use alternative poultry feeds on my farm.
However, there is one condition where I would use them. Keep reading to find out.
1. They Are For Small Farms
You have a 10,000 layer chicken farm. Alternatively, imagine running a 100-cow dairy farm.
Would you consider using black soldier fly larvae poultry feed for your chickens? Or would you consider using azolla as cattle feed supplement?
Maybe you said yes. And honestly, I respect that.
However, I would not.
Think about the scale for a moment.
How many tonnes of BSFL would you need for the chickens? Likewise, how many tonnes of azolla would your cows require?
To make it worse, how many truckloads of garden or kitchen remains would you need to produce that amount?
The truth is simple. Most alternative poultry feeds work very well for small farms.
For example, if you have 500 chickens, azolla and BSFL can significantly reduce your poultry feed costs.
However, these options become almost useless for large-scale farmers like in the examples above.
A good example is Dr. Daniel Masaba, one of the most successful layer farmers in Uganda. He once tried using azolla and BSFL to reduce feed costs on his farm.
However, he later abandoned the idea. In one of his videos, he explained that the system was not feasible for a large-scale poultry farm. At that time, he had around 7,500 layers.
The reason is clear. The amount of production required to feed a large flock becomes massive.
Therefore, without serious infrastructure and capital, producing your own alternative poultry feeds can become more expensive than simply buying commercial poultry feed.
2. They Are Not Nutritionally Sufficient
Another problem is that alternative poultry feeds are not replacements for commercial poultry feed. Instead, they act as supplements.
In other words, they are similar to the vitamins and minerals farmers add to feed. However, in this case, you must use larger quantities.
That is where the problem starts.
Yes, these feeds may reduce costs. However, by how much? Certainly not 50%.
By the way, tell me in the comments: what percentage of feed costs do you think azolla or BSFL actually reduce?
Interestingly, many farmers cannot even say exactly how much money they are saving.
Meanwhile, if azolla, BSFL, and hydroponic fodder could completely replace commercial feed, I would be among the first people to use them.
Why? Because feed prices are brutal right now. Every poultry farmer knows that feed costs are killing profits.
But the reality is different. Even after preparing these alternative feeds, farmers still have to buy commercial poultry feed.
Therefore the farmer does extra work while still paying the same major cost. For me, that is still a tough game.
3. You Cannot Measure The Nutrients
Layer chickens and broilers both require very specific nutrition at different stages of growth.
For example, growing layers need higher protein levels. Later, laying hens require higher calcium levels for strong eggshells.
Fortunately, commercial feed companies calculate these values very carefully.
As a result, each bag of poultry feed contains balanced levels of:
-Protein
-Energy
-Calcium
-Vitamins
-Minerals
Because of this system, guessing is removed and errors are very unlikely.
However, the same cannot be said for most alternative poultry feeds.
Standard nutrient estimates exist for azolla and BSFL. Unfortunately, those numbers may not match what you actually produce.
For example, how much protein is in your azolla pond today?
Even worse, how much protein is in your leftover cabbage or kitchen remains?
Honestly, you cannot know unless you send the sample to a laboratory. As a result, birds may receive insufficient poultry nutrition.
Eventually, that problem begins to show in production.
You may start seeing:
-Fewer eggs
-Small egg size
-Weak eggshells
Sadly, many farmers blame the feed company. Meanwhile, the real cause might be the alternative poultry feeds being used.
4. They Are Hard To Produce Consistently
Personally, I like simple systems most of the time.
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Now let’s compare the effort involved.
Compared to producing your own formulated poultry feed, raising azolla or BSFL may seem easier.
However, compare those systems to simply buying ready-made commercial poultry feed.
In that situation, I would still choose commercial feed.
The reason is consistency.
Producing alternative poultry feeds correctly requires several steps:
-Proper preparation
-Understanding the nutrient composition
-Formulating correct feed ratios
-Maintaining the system daily
In addition, farmers must do this every single day to keep results stable. Therefore the system becomes harder than simply purchasing high-quality poultry feed.
However, if the benefits clearly outweigh the extra effort, then the work may be worth it.
Ultimately, that decision becomes a personal choice for each farmer.
5. Health Risks To Your Chicken
Imagine trying to reduce feed costs and accidentally killing your chickens.
That situation would be a farmer’s worst nightmare.
Fortunately, reported cases of problems from alternative poultry feeds are rare.
However, rare does not mean impossible.
Commercial poultry feeds are usually processed under controlled conditions. In addition, they often contain coccidiostats and quality controls.
Meanwhile, homemade feed systems can introduce new risks.
For example, kitchen remains might already be decomposing, food remains may contain spices or substances harmful to poultry.
Azolla can also become dangerous if it grows in dirty or contaminated water. Poor storage can also lead to spoilage or fungal growth.
Meanwhile, black soldier fly larvae can transmit disease if they are reared or stored in unsanitary conditions. Although such problems are uncommon, they are still possible.
Unfortunately, farmers may not even realize that the alternative poultry feed is the real cause of illness in their birds.
When Would I Use Azolla Or BSFL?
Those are the five reasons I would not use alternative poultry feeds on my farm.
However, there is one situation where I might use them.
That situation is simple.
I would consider them only if I planned to run a small farm.
But cheap poultry feed alternatives could save it.
This is one of the first lessons farmers learn when they research the poultry business.
Unfortunately, many beginners never research first. As a result, they pay dearly for that ignorance later.
The reason is simple. On most poultry farms, feed alone takes 60–70% of the total production cost. Even worse, that cost can rise to 80% if feeding is poorly managed.
Meanwhile, the commercial poultry feed business is a powerful industry on its own. In many cases, it is more profitable than poultry farming itself.
For example, in 2026 De Heus Nutrition, one of the largest animal nutrition companies in the world, opened a new feed plant in Kenya.
Interestingly, this happened despite the hundreds of animal feed companies already operating in the country.
So why would such a big company still invest here?
Clearly, the answer is simple. Feed demand is enormous.
And because poultry feed is expensive, farmers have always looked for ways to lower this major cost.
Therefore, many have experimented with cheap poultry feed alternatives. These options help farmers reduce reliance on commercial feeds.
After all, commercial feeds are often expensive and sometimes unsustainable for small farmers.
Personally, I have seen some farmers succeed with these alternatives. However, I do not have exact figures showing how much their feed costs dropped or how much their profits increased.
Nevertheless, this post will introduce several cheap poultry feed alternatives used by farmers.
Before we start, which one would you use between these two? Let me know in the comments.
First, let me make something clear.
From what I have seen, these options work mostly for small poultry farms.
Large commercial layer farms rarely depend on them. Therefore, if you run a small-scale poultry farm, this information will help you.
1. Azolla
Among all cheap poultry feed alternatives, Azolla has gained massive attention worldwide. In fact, many farmers see it as a small miracle plant.
Scientifically, Azolla is a small aquatic fern. It grows quickly and can double its size every 72 hours.
Because of this rapid growth, farmers can produce large amounts with very little space.
Additionally, Azolla contains high levels of protein and other nutrients useful for chickens.
Another advantage is its simplicity. Farmers can learn how to grow Azolla in just a few hours.
After harvesting, it can be fed fresh from the pond. Alternatively, farmers can dry it before feeding.
However, there is one important warning. Azolla should only be used as a supplement, not a complete feed.
Never feed chickens only Azolla.
2. Black Soldier Fly Larvae
If Azolla is Breaking Bad, then Black Soldier Fly Larvae are Better Call Saul. Although not as popular as Azolla, this option is also powerful.
Black Soldier Fly larvae come from the black soldier fly insect. Farmers raise these flies using organic waste.
During feeding, the flies lay eggs. Soon after, the eggs hatch into larvae.
This process usually takes 10–15 days.
These larvae contain extremely high protein levels. In fact, they contain more protein than Azolla.
Because of this, many farmers use them to replace part of the commercial feed protein.
Moreover, the system is simple. It is also fast and relatively cheap.
As a result, many farmers consider this one of the best cheap poultry feed alternatives available.
3. Hydroponic Fodder
Another interesting option is hydroponic fodder.
Many people believe hydroponics is part of the future of agriculture.
Unlike traditional farming, hydroponics grows crops without soil.
In this system, barley seeds are placed in trays and watered regularly. Within a few days, the seeds sprout into soft green fodder.
At that stage, the young plants are fed directly to chickens.
Unlike Azolla and larvae, hydroponic fodder mainly provides energy.
Because of this, it can replace part of the energy portion of poultry feed.
Furthermore, it grows quickly and requires very little land.
Farmers also need no special degree or training to start. With small effort, this method can help reduce feed expenses by big margins.
Before You See The Last Option,
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4. Garden Or Kitchen Food
At home, I often struggle with free-range chickens during planting season.🥲
They wait for maize to sprout. Then suddenly, they eat all the young leaves.
Soon after, the plants grow again.
Unfortunately, the chickens return and eat them again.
Clearly, chickens love green plants.
Because of this, some farmers use greens as another feed source. They usually do this in two ways.
Planting Greens For Chicken
First, farmers can plant crops specifically for poultry.
Common choices include maize, spinach, kales, and different grasses.
Later, farmers either harvest the leaves or allow chickens to forage directly.
However, layer chickens are usually kept indoors.Therefore, the farmer simply cuts the greens and carries them to the poultry house.
Using Kitchen Food Remains
Using Kitchen Food Remains Second, farmers can feed chickens vegetable leftovers from the kitchen.
After all, most homes produce some food waste every day.
Instead of throwing it away, farmers can give it to their chickens.
However, this method has one weakness.
Kitchen waste is not always reliable.
For example, what happens when you eat out?
What happens when you cook less food?
Because of this, kitchen waste works best as an occasional supplement.
Finally..
These are the four main cheap poultry feed alternatives used by many farmers.
Remember, listing them does not mean every farmer should use them.
Each option has its own limitations.
Therefore, you must evaluate what works best for your farm. Large layer farms usually prefer commercial feeds or professionally formulated feeds.
Meanwhile, if you’re a small-scale farmer you can experiment carefully with these alternatives.
If you want to see my personal recommendations for reducing feed costs, Read Here
Finally, watch out for my next post. In that article, I will explain why I personally will not use any of these alternative feeds.
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,
Get this Free Layer Poultry Farming Guide straight to your inbox.
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:
Get this Free Layer Poultry Farming Ebook straight to your inbox if you want to start a profitable farm:
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.
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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.
