Once upon a time, there was a small village. It was a good place to live. But there was one big problem. There was no water unless it rained.
So the village elders made a decision. They asked people to apply for a contract to supply water daily. Two men were chosen: Ed and Bill. The elders wanted competition. They believed it would keep prices low and ensure steady supply.
Ed
Ed started immediately. He bought two metal buckets. Then he began walking to a lake one mile away. Every day. Morning to evening. He filled the buckets and carried water back to the village tank. It was hard work. But he was happy. He was making money. And he had a secure contract.
Every morning, he woke up early. He made sure the village had water before people woke up. He worked every single day.
Bill
Bill disappeared. For months, nobody saw him. Ed was happy. He thought he had no competition. But Bill was not resting. He was planning.
Instead of carrying buckets, Bill did something different. He wrote a plan. He created a company. He found investors. He hired people to help him. Then he came back with a construction team. Within one year, they built a pipeline from the lake to the village.
The New Beginning
At the launch, Bill made some announcements: His water was cleaner His supply was 24/7 His price was 75% cheaper The villagers were excited. They rushed to his tap.
A visual illustration of the bucket vs pipeline mindset. Which one are you working with?
The Mistake
Ed reacted fast. He reduced his price. He bought more buckets. He worked even harder. He hired his sons and other villagers to help him. Now they worked day and night. When his boys went off to college he said to them, ‘Hurry back because some day this business will belong to you.’
But maybe there was a problem.When his son’s left for college, they never came back.
Later on, he faced worker issues. Complains of having to carry one bucket per trip instead of two. Costs increased rapidly. Work became harder.
Plan Number 2
On the other hand, Bill did not stop there. He thought bigger. “If one village needs water, others do too.” So he expanded his system. He built pipelines to many villages.
Now, he only made a small profit per bucket. But he delivered millions of buckets daily. Even when he slept, people consumed water and money kept coming in.
Let’s Compare The Two
Ed worked hard his whole life. Bill built a system that worked for him.
Ask Yourself..
Are you carrying buckets? Or are you building pipelines?
Are you working hard? Or are you working smart?
Now Back To Farming
In farming, this is very important. You can: Sell eggs , milk, meat or vegetables daily and struggle OR Build a system that scales (distribution, contracts, automation) One is hard work. The other builds freedom.
If you want real success: Stop thinking like Ed. Start building like Bill.
This story is adapted form the book Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki.
If you want to learn how you can start and run a profitable layer poultry farm(Like Bill) get this Free Layer Poultry Farming Guide.
So, you’ve read my Day Old Chicks vs Point Of Lay breakdown. You’ve seen the reasons. And now you’ve decided to go with Point Of Lay Chicken.
Great choice.
However, buying point of lay chickens is not as simple as showing up and paying. If you rush that step, you can lose money before your birds even lay their first egg.
Because of that, you need a system.
In this post, I will show you exactly how to choose point of lay chickens using a simple 7-point checklist. These are the things that protect your money and set your farm up to win.
Point of lay chicken in a massive layer poultry farm.
1. The Seller
First, look at the person selling the birds.
This is not optional. In fact, ignore this at your own risk.
You are not just buying chickens. You are doing business with a human being. And not every person deserves your money.
So ask yourself:
– Is this seller trustworthy? – Does he keep his word? – Would you buy from him again?
On the other hand, some people have a history. They lie. They cheat. They change stories. Many farmers lose money this way, not by bad luck, but by bad people.
Because of that, do your due diligence.
People do business with people they like and trust. Therefore, if something feels off, walk away. Another seller will always exist.
2. Health Of The Birds
Next, check the health of the chickens.
Healthy birds make money. Sick birds kill farms.
As soon as you arrive at the farm, start observing. Use all your five senses. This is one of the fastest ways to understand what you are dealing with.
But here I’ll show you how to use three.
First Listen.
Are the birds making sound? A healthy flock is active and noisy. Weak birds are often quiet.
Then Look, carefully.
Check how they move. Watch how they eat. Observe how they scratch and peck. Also look at their feathers, their eyes, and even their droppings.
After that, touch them.
Feel the feathers. Check the comb. Notice the body condition. A good bird should feel strong, not weak or light.
Finally, weigh a sample.
You do not need to weigh all birds. Still, take a reasonable sample size. Weight helps you estimate age and feeding quality.
Because of this, health and weight work together. If both are off, that is a red flag.
3. Vaccination Record
Now, ask for the vaccination record.
Many farmers ignore this step. Others do not even know they should ask.
But vaccination is not optional. It is critical for survival.
Most sellers will tell you their birds are vaccinated. Do not trust words. Ask for proof.
You need to see the actual record.
If it is not documented, it was not done.
In medical school, we follow a simple rule: if you did not write it, you did not do it to the patient.
The same logic applies here.
So, check the document. Confirm the dates. Make sure it makes sense.
If the seller cannot provide it, assume the birds are not vaccinated.
Therefore, unless you want future problems, walk away.
4. Breed
Next, confirm the breed.
This is very important.
There are real cases where farmers buy birds thinking they are commercial layers. Months later, production stays below 50%.
Why? Because they bought improved chickens instead of hybrid layers.
Breed determines productivity.
No matter how well you feed a local or improved bird, it will not perform like a hybrid layer. It was not designed for that.
Because of this, verify what you are buying.
If possible, carry an expert. Alternatively, learn basic breed identification yourself.
5. Sex Of The Birds
Then check the sex.
It sounds obvious, but mistakes happen.
Imagine buying 1,000 point of lay chickens. You prepare your farm. You wait for eggs. Then one day, your neighbour visits your farm and tells you you have nice cocks.
Yes, it happens.
And it is costly.
Because of that, confirm the birds are female.
Learn how to identify them. If you are not confident, bring someone who is.
This step alone can save your entire investment.
6. AgeOf The Chicken
Next, confirm the age.
Age affects both price and production timing.
Point of lay chickens should be close to laying. If they are too young, you will spend more time feeding them before seeing returns.
One way to estimate age is through weight. That gives you a rough idea.
However, do not rely on guesswork alone.
Ask for proof.
Request documents showing when the birds were purchased or delivered. This can be invoices, records, or even dated photos.
Because of that, combine your observation with evidence.
Never depend on assumptions.
7. Price
Finally, comes the price.
Business must make sense for both sides.
The seller wants profit. You also need profit. That means the deal must be a win-win.
Because of that, go prepared.
Know your numbers before you arrive. Understand the maximum price you can pay and still make money during the laying cycle.
Do not guess. Do not hope. Calculate.
While negotiating, be fair.
Do not pressure the seller too much. Sometimes people are selling because they are struggling. Do not exploit that.
At the same time, do not get pressured.
Some sellers will justify very high prices with long stories. Stay calm. Stick to your numbers.
If the price does not work, walk away.
So now you know how to choose point of lay chickens the right way.
This system protects your money.
With this checklist, you are not guessing anymore. You are making a decision like a serious farmer.
And that is how profitable farms are built.
One Last Thing
Buying POL does not mean you should ignore brooding.
Every poultry farmer must understand brooding. Things change. Plans fail. Sometimes you will need to start with day-old chicks.
So be prepared.
If you want to learn how to brood chicks like a pro, I created this Free Brooding Guide for you.
So you want to become a successful farmer, and everyone keeps telling you to read books.
The problem is, most farmers do not have the time for that.
Over the past two years, I have gone through hundreds of books. More than 40 of them were focused on farming.
Some were practical.
Others were too focused on specific farms.
A few were very general.
Some were investigative.
Others were memoirs.
These are the ones I liked most.
In this post, I will break down 7 of those books into the core lessons you can actually use on your farm.
Now, I am still in the building and learning phase of my farming journey (as of 2026).
Most of my time has gone into studying, observing, and learning from successful farmers across Africa and the world. That is how I have been preparing to do this the right way.
If you apply the lessons in this post, you will have a clearer direction and stronger principles for your farm.
1. You Can Farm by Joel Salatin
This is the first farming book I ever read. Joel Salatin is one of the most well-known farmers in the world.
Search his name and you will quickly see his strong views on farming and even politics.
He has written over 14 books and co-authored others. And yes, he is a farmer.
So much for the idea that farmers are not thinkers.
You Can Farm by Joel Salatin. The first ever farming book that I read.
Here’s What You’ll Learn..
How to develop a vision for your farm. Many farmers ignore this at the beginning. Later, they are forced to figure it out the hard way.
The 10 commandments for succeeding in farming. These focus on discipline and commitment. One key idea he emphasizes is being resourceful, which is something I strongly agree with as I say in my DR.STARR Framework.
How to start and grow your farm You do not have to stay small or repeat the same thing for years.
2. Your Successful Farm Business by Joel Salatin
One of the best pieces of advice I ever heard is this: read authors, not just books.
That is why I picked another book by Joel.
Compared to You Can Farm, this one focuses on running the farm as a business.
Here’s What You’re Going To Learn…
Principles for running a farm business. Can you imagine, these include living frugally. Many farmers make money, then spend it badly and struggle the next season.
Direct marketing Selling directly to customers is one of the best ways to increase profit.
Using a team well A team is not a problem. Think of it like adding a turbo to your farm when managed properly.
New opportunities in farming These include agritourism, edutainment, and farm schools.
3. Start Your Farm by Forrest Pritchard and Ellen Polishuk
If you have common questions about farming, this book answers them.
Ellen and Forrest go deep into beginner concerns.
This Is What You’ll Learn..
How to learn farming You do not always need formal agricultural school.
Do you need land to start? The answer is not always what people expect.
The importance of the market This is one of the strongest parts of the book. It is given a lot of attention for a reason. I have talked about this many times. The market is often more important than capital. Many farmers ignore this, get into production, and struggle later. I almost made the same mistake myself.
4. Mini Farming by Brett L Markham
If you are concerned about the food you buy and want to produce your own, this book is for you.
Many people think lack of land is the main problem.
That is not always true.
What You’ll Learn In This Book..
You do not need large land. Not 10 acres. Not 5. Not even 1 acre. You can farm on 1/4 acre
That small space can support crops, poultry, and livestock.
How to become self-sufficient You can produce most of your food at home.
How to preserve and sell surplus Extra production should never go to waste.
5. Glorious Beef by Pat La Frieda
Think about this for a moment.
What if your farm supplied top restaurants and supermarkets in your country?
That is the level this book shows.
It is a story of how a small family business grew into a multimillion-dollar company.
Here’s what You’ll Learn..
Farming is business Decisions matter just as much as production.
How to grow a serious operation You see what it takes to build something big.
Working with other farmers Collaboration can help you scale.
Understanding product quality Knowing what makes the best product (beef, meat, eggs or whatever) is part of the business.
After reading this, I started thinking differently about the quality of food that I eat,especially beef.
6. Invisible Giant by Brewster Kneen
Have you ever heard of Cargill? It is one of the largest private companies in the world.
At one point(2025), it had over 150,000 employees and revenue over $150 billion.
This book shows what it takes to build something like that.
Here’s What You’ll Get From It..
Understand scale.
Big companies grow through systems and time.
Applying the lessons on a small farm. You can still use these ideas even at a small level.
Think big Growth starts with mindset. You may not build something that large. Still, the thinking can push you ahead of many farmers.
7. 40 Chances by Howard G Buffet,with Howard W Buffet, forwarded by Warren E Buffet
Yes, this is from the Buffett family.
Three generations connected to business and impact.
This book focuses on purpose.
What You’ll Learn..
You only have a limited number of seasons Farming time is not endless.
About 40 to be exact. Hence the name 40 Chances.
Purpose matters Farming is not just about money or status.
You need direction Vision, mission, and values keep you going when things get hard.
Farming affects the world Food production connects to hunger and global challenges.
This book helps you see farming in a bigger way.
These are the 7 books I wanted to share with you.
As you can see, farming is not just about farming. There is business. There is self-sufficiency. There is purpose.
I will keep updating this list as I continue learning.
You only need one idea from a book to change your farm. And you never know which book that is.
Before You Go
I am currently writing a book for farmers whose main theme is ‘Before You Start Your Farm’
If you’re reading this after the book is out, make sure you get yourself a copy.
For now, I have created two simple guides:
If you want to start a profitable layer poultry farm, get this Free Guide.
If your chicks keep dying in the first month, get the free brooding guide.
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.
Get this Free Brooding Guide, and I will also send you a bonus Layer Poultry Farming Guide.
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.
If you also like simple systems, I created a Free ebook for you.
It is a guide for starting and running a profitable layer poultry farm.
Gey your copyNow!
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,
Get a Free copy of my Ebook on starting and running a profitable layer poultry farm👇🏿
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:
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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.
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