Secret Layers

Author: Carlos Deche

  • The Principal And The Eggs

    Niss and the First Egg

    “Maaa! Come and see this!”
    Her daughter’s voice rang from the chicken house, urgent and excited.

    Niss sprang to her feet, heart racing, and nearly flew across the compound. She slipped into her gumboots, tugged on her overalls and gloves, dipped her feet in the disinfectant bath, and stormed inside.

    “An egg!” her daughter cried.

    For a moment, time froze. Niss’s heart swelled, her smile trembled, and her eyes filled with tears. This was the 19th week—the week she had been waiting for.

    “Here’s another one! And another!” her daughter shouted, unaware that her mother’s heart had already burst open, streams of joy gushing out.

    It felt like a miracle.

    From Joy To Worry

    But that was two weeks ago.

    Now, Niss stood in her storehouse, staring at 80 trays stacked neatly in rows. By the end of the week, she would cross 100.

    Her joy had turned into unease.

    Who is going to buy all these eggs?
    What if they go bad?
    What if they all break right here in the store?
    Who buys month-old eggs anyway?

    The questions gnawed at her.

    Doors Slammed Shut

    She tried everything.

    Her first stop was the local high school, where she pitched her eggs with hope in her voice. But the headmaster, a not-so-distant neighbor, turned her away.

    “We already have a supplier under contract. I can’t change that without the board’s approval,” he said.

    Board? What board? Niss thought bitterly. What board would choose rules over supporting a struggling local farmer? Deep inside, she suspected jealousy. Maybe he just wanted to see her fail.

    Still, she pushed on.

    She carried her eggs to the marketplace, setting them out for buyers. But not a single customer came near. The only tray she sold was to a wealthy-looking man who, she suspected, bought out of pity rather than need.

    Her stomach sank. This was not what she signed up for.

    She thought of the stories she had read of young millionaire farmers smiling beside heaps of eggs. Where did they sell? To whom? And what magic words did they use? No one had the answer.

    One Last Try

    That night, she added six more trays to her growing mountain and lay in bed, disappointment pressing down on her. Yet somewhere inside, a stubborn spark flickered. She decided to try one last move.

    There was a new private high school in the neighboring village, barely a year old. Maybe, just maybe, they would listen.

    The Breakthrough

    At dawn, Niss was at the principal’s office, waiting an hour for him to arrive.

    When he finally sat down, she took a deep breath and launched into her pitch:

    “My eggs are fresh and good. Your students will love them. They’ll grow strong, think sharper, and perform better. And by buying from me, you’ll be supporting a local farmer.”

    The Principal And The Eggs

    The principal and the eggs.

    The principal leaned back, studied her, leaned forward, then nodded.
    “Go bring all your eggs right now,” he said. “And make sure you can supply us every week.”

    Niss blinked, hardly believing it. Was it her words that convinced him? Or was he simply in urgent need of eggs? It didn’t matter. What mattered was that, at last, her eggs would leave the storeroom.

    Bigger Than She Dreamed

    That morning, Niss had woken up poor. By 9 a.m., she was holding nearly Ksh. 40,000 and, more importantly, a guaranteed weekly buyer.

    Unbelievable.

    She whispered to herself:

    It’s going to be harder than you think, harder than you plan for. But when the breakthrough comes, the reward will be bigger than anything you can imagine.

    She smiled faintly. She had heard those words somewhere before, maybe on Facebook. But now, they weren’t just words. They were her truth.

    If you want tips and strategies on how to sell and market your eggs.

    And enjoy money just like Niss, register for free for our regular Layer Chicken Digest Tips below.

    Name

    See you next Wednesday!

    Carlos Deche

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

    secretlayerske@gmail.com

  • 28 ESSENTIAL LAYER FARM EQUIPMENT

    They say Abraham Lincoln once remarked, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” It’s a powerful reminder that preparation always beats raw effort.

    But here’s the truth — before you sharpen, you need an axe in your hands. The same applies to poultry farming. You can buy the best chicks and dream of collecting trays of fresh eggs every morning. Yet without the right layer chicken farming equipment, your farm will struggle before it even begins.

    Many beginners rush to buy birds first, only to realize later they don’t have feeders, drinkers, or even a proper house. This mistake wastes money and puts the flock at risk. The right poultry equipment may look simple, but it is the foundation of a profitable layer poultry farm.

    In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the essential equipment for layer chicken farming every beginner needs before starting a poultry farm.

    Think of this as your starter kit — a farmer-focused guide to help you prepare, avoid costly mistakes, and set your farm up for success.

    Just to be clear, this is not the exclusive list. And most important, you don’t need to buy all of these items before you kick off your farm. You can buy some later, and you can improvise to fit your needs. Don’t wait until you have everything. Start with what you can, and build from there.

    I. Housing

    1. Structure

    Your birds need a house with enough space. That’s a no-brainer. Include space for storing feed as well. You want this store to be cool, dry, and secure.

    Construct your house with a foot dip at the entrance for biosecurity. Always add disinfectant, not just soapy water. Another thing farmers often forget is perches. Birds need a place to rest and play. Try to give them as natural an environment as possible. All lay and no play makes layers dull girls.

    2. Litter

    If you plan to use the deep litter system, prepare dry litter about 4 inches thick. Depending on what’s available, you can use sawdust, coffee husks, or rice husks.

    3. Cages

    If you plan to use cages, have them ready before the birds arrive. This system is easier to manage but more expensive than deep litter.

    To decide which is better for you between cages and deep litter read here

    4. Windbreaker

    On the open wire-mesh sides, cover them to reduce strong winds, dust, or even rain. You can use curtains, polyethylene sheets, shade nets, or even sacks 😂. Remember DR.STARR— he was resourceful.

    II. Brooding

    Brooding is a temperature-sensitive stage. Without the right poultry farm equipment, chicks will not survive.

    5. Heat Source

    You’ll need a reliable source of heat. Options include a brooding jiko, charcoal stove, or infrared lamp.

    6. Water Source

    Never buy chicks without a water source on your farm. Birds will die without clean water. Ensure you have a municipal supply, water tanks, or a plan to buy water when needed.

    7. Feeders

    Feeders are where birds eat. Commercial ones reduce wastage, which is the highest cost on a farm. Homemade ones are cheaper but often waste more feed.

    8. Drinkers

    Drinkers hold water. Both chick and adult drinkers are important, though adults can also serve chicks.

    A chick in a deep litter house system standing nest to one of the most important poultry farm equipment.A drinker.
    A chick chilling next to a drinker.

    9. Light Source

    Light matters. Layers need about 18 hours of light per day. The sun gives 12 hours, so you must provide the other 6 using electricity or solar bulbs.

    10. Plywood

    This is the main material for brooders. You’ve seen round areas where chicks are kept — that’s plywood at work. Still, many farmers improvise with cardboards or simple small rooms, and chicks survive just fine.

    11. Brooder Paper

    Cover litter with brooder paper or newspapers to stop chicks from eating it on day one.

    12. Thermometer

    Observation helps, but it’s not accurate. A thermometer lets you monitor brooder temperature properly.

    III. Growing Stage

    When chicks start growing into pullets, you need more chicken farming tools.

    13. Weighing Scale

    Monitor the birds’ weight to make sure they are not underweight or overweight. This affects laying performance. Weighing also helps detect poor feed intake and sick birds.

    14. Beak Trimmers

    Layers can become cannibalistic, pecking each other or breaking eggs. Since eggs are money, invest in debeaking equipment. Modern tools make it humane.

    15 & 16. Syringes and Needles

    Vaccines are a must. Some require injections or wing stabs. Keep syringes and needles ready, and ask your vet for guidance.

    IV. Laying Stage

    When birds reach laying age, equipment needed for starting a layer farm becomes more essential. It’s the money period.

    17. Laying Boxes

    Layers need quiet, dark places to lay eggs comfortably.

    18. Egg trays

    Where will you put your eggs? On trays — simple and safe.

    19. Means Of Transport

    Transport is optional but useful. Having your own reduces costs when moving eggs, chicks, or supplies.

    V. Security

    You must protect both your birds and your investment.

    20. Sprayer

    Disinfect the house before bringing in birds and between batches. A sprayer makes this easy.

    21 & 22. Human and Animal Surveillance

    Theft is real. Consider guards, CCTV, or dogs for human intruders and cats, fences or traps for animal intruders like rats,wild animals e.t.c

    Not everyone will like your success — it’s human nature.

    VI. Clothing

    Your safety and biosecurity come first.

    23, 24, 25 and 26. Protective Clothing

    I put these separately because they are crucial to your health and your birds health. Each and everyone of them.

    Gloves, gumboots, masks, and overalls are necessary. Keep one set for farm use only, and remove it immediately when leaving. Ignoring this increases disease risk.

    VI. Record Keeping

    A farm without records is a farm headed for failure.

    27. Record Keeping Tools

    Record everything — mortality, feed use, bird weights, egg numbers, sales, credits, and finances. Use a notebook or software. At Secret Layers, we don’t have record-keeping tools yet (2025), but we’ll release them soon.

    VII. Other Tools

    Simple tools make work easier.

    28. Farm Tools

    A spade, jembe, and wheelbarrow will help you mix feed, change litter, and dispose of manure.

    IX. Not Equipment, But Still Important

    Some essentials don’t fit into equipment but are crucial.

    Feeds: Without quality feed, nothing works.

    Workers: You may do it alone or hire extra help.

    Glucose and disinfectant: Prepare these before chicks arrive.

    Marketing Material : Decide how to sell eggs. Use airtime, internet, and social media.

    Chicks:Finally, don’t forget the birds themselves 😂

    Read this if your undecided on which chicken breed to buy.

    That’s everything you need for your layers poultry farming journey. This complete list of equipment for poultry farming will help you avoid mistakes, save money, and prepare like a professional.

    If you think I missed anything important, type it in the comments and I’ll add it.

    We need to make sure every farmer is ready before they start.Remember, you don’t need all the layer chicken farming equipment at once. Some items can wait, and you can improvise on others to save costs.

    Don’t postpone your dream just because you don’t have gumboots. That’s not what entrepreneurship is.Now go out there, start your farm, and live your dream.

    See you next Friday!

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

    secretlayerske@gmail.com

  • THE ROSEMARY-FED CHICKEN

    Out Of The Cell

    Niss walked out of the police station feeling angry, guilty, and embarrassed.

    Grrrr. Her stomach rumbled. Hunger joined the list of things gnawing at her.

    The Cafe That Took Everything

    It was a long way home, so she slipped into a small café and ordered quickly. It had been ages since she last ate in a restaurant, and the thought itself felt strange. After what seemed like hours to the waiter, she finally settled on ugali skuma. The plate hit her table in five minutes, and by the seventh it was gone.

    She stared at the empty plate, stunned. That small food for seventy shillings? Rage burned hotter. This president will kill us all.

    Fumbling through her leso for coins, she came up empty. That’s when a man who had been watching her closely stood, paid her bill without a word, and left her more embarrassed than grateful.

    The Stranger With Promises

    She walked home, bracing herself for her children. She hadn’t seen them since yesterday, when she had left with her colleagues to riot against the merchants.

    But the riot hadn’t started there.

    It had started a few weeks back, in her own compound. She was seated with her kids one evening when a young man appeared. He looked sharp—probably a gym type, shoulders squared, the kind who seemed to know exactly what he was doing in life. Definitely not like my husband when he was young, she thought.

    He introduced himself as part of an NGO empowering women. His words dripped with promise. Twenty minutes later, he walked away with a KSh 20,000 commitment from her, paid in three installments. In her hands he left a bundle of seedlings. Rosemary.

    A Marvelous Scam

    Plant them, he said. In a month, they’d mature. His NGO would come for them and pay KSh 60,000. A three-times return. Marvelous, wasn’t it?

    True enough, the rosemary grew and matured right on time. But on the promised harvest day, no one came. One week passed. Two. Three. Nothing.

    The man had vanished. The NGO had never existed. And her money—gone.

    Chicken Don’t Wait

    That was the money Niss had set aside for her first batch of layers. Her chicks were now four weeks old. In another four, they would need growers mash. She thought she could “invest” the feed money, flip it fast, and come out with plenty. But the plan crumbled.

    Desperation turned to fury. She joined neighbors—victims of the same scam—and they stormed the streets, shouting, demanding answers. That night, they slept in a police cell.

    The Lesson In The Dark

    Sitting on the cold floor, Niss finally admitted the truth: it was her fault.

    She had ignored the one principle she’d read before: Go deep first, then go wide. The Secret Layers guide had always said it. Focus on one venture. Master it before chasing others. But she wanted shortcuts. Easy money. And now her birds were hungry.

    Rosemary Fed Chicken

    That afternoon, walking back toward her house, the lesson burned in her mind.

    Well, she thought, glancing at the stack of rosemary in the corner of her yard, at least I still have this. Is it edible? Maybe. But what if—

    Her lips curled into a sly smile.

    Rosemary-fed chickens. Eggs with a twist. Maybe people will pay for that. Maybe this is how I begin again.

    Register for our regular Layer Chicken Digest Tips below.

    Name

    See you on the blog!

    secretlayerske@gmail.com

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

  • BATTERY CAGE VS DEEP LITTER : 7 DIFFERENCES

    Battery cage vs deep litter system is one of the first choices every poultry farmer has to make.

    Many new farmers think they must buy cages to succeed. But the truth is simple: cages don’t lay eggs, birds do!

    So stop postponing your dream farm based on lies. In this post, I’ll show you 7 clear differences between battery cages and the deep litter system. With this, you’ll make the right choice for your farm.

    One of the many decisions a beginner layer farmer has to make.Read to know what to consider when deciding.

    1. SetUp Costs

    Battery cages are more expensive to buy and set up compared to deep litter.

    Why? Cages are made from galvanized metal. Deep litter, on the other hand, can use cheap by-products like coffee husks, rice husks, or wood shavings. While prices differ from place to place, cages will always cost more.

    If you’re short on cash, deep litter is a practical way to start. You can upgrade to cages later. Don’t buy cages just to look fancy and then end up starving your birds.

    2. Ongoing Costs

    The deep litter system has more ongoing costs than battery cages. Buying cages is a one-off cost for a batch of birds. You don’t keep buying them again. However, litter needs frequent replacement to prevent diseases.

    This means the deep litter system can feel more expensive in the long run. On the other hand, the initial investment for cages is heavier, which many farmers struggle with.

    3. Disease Management

    Disease spreads faster in deep litter than in battery cages.

    Since cage birds are separated, one sick hen is less likely to infect the rest. In addition, it’s easier to see and isolate sick birds in cages. In deep litter, birds mix freely, so transmission is quick and hard to control. Therefore, a disease outbreak in deep litter can cause higher losses. However, with proper vaccination, cleaning, and management, both systems can still keep birds healthy.

    4. Ease of Management

    It is generally easier to manage birds in cages than in the deep litter system.

    For example, farmers can vaccinate, count birds, collect eggs, and remove manure more quickly in cages. This reduces labor needs. If you hire workers, you may need fewer staff with cages, which saves money.

    On the other hand, deep litter gives birds more freedom, so management takes more time and effort.

    5. Space Required

    Cages make better use of limited space. Birds need less space per hen because cages are stacked vertically. This allows farmers to keep more layers in the same house. Therefore, if you have little land, cages might be your best solution. However, if you already have plenty of space, the deep litter system can still work well.

    6. Bird Happiness

    Happy birds produce better. Many farmers believe that birds in deep litter are happier because the system is closer to their natural environment. Although cages are more controlled, they limit bird movement. Think of it like life in high school—tight and controlled. Deep litter gives more freedom. However, happy birds do not always mean higher profits, so a farmer must balance welfare with production goals.

    7. Automation

    Automation should be the goal of every farmer who wants to grow big. It separates a business owner from someone who is self-employed. In this area, battery cages win. Because cages create a controlled environment, it is easier to automate egg collection, feeding, and cleaning. Deep litter is harder to automate since birds move freely, and conditions are less uniform.


    There you go! You now know the 7 main differences between battery cage vs deep litter system.

    Remember, there is no good or bad system. The right choice depends on your budget, space, goals, and beliefs. A farmer with limited cash may start with deep litter and upgrade later. Another farmer with limited land may go straight into cages.

    💬Let me know in the comments what you’re planning to use for your farm.

    Now that you’ve made your decision on the system, the next question is: what breed of layers will you keep? Check the top 3 layer breeds and learn the factors to consider when choosing a layer breed

    See you next Friday!

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

    secretlayerske@gmail.com

  • THE BEACH TRIP THAT CHANGED A MOTHER’S LIFE

    Niss : A Farmer At Heart

    Niss had always been a farmer. A vegetable farmer. She planted cabbages, sukumawiki, spinach, and kiswenya — a local herb.

    It was food, yes, but also her little business. Every six weeks she would harvest and sell at the local market.

    When Money Isn’t Enough

    The sales gave her some money to support her kids, but it was never enough.

    And truth be told, she wasn’t even sure if she made profits. She just sold, counted the cash in her hands, and because money came in on market days, she assumed she was doing fine.

    Was she really? She didn’t know.

    Stress That Won’t Let Go

    For the past three weeks, she had been trying to figure out how to get funding for her new idea — layer poultry farming.

    But the more she thought about it, the more her head burned and her heart raced. Stress became her daily companion.

    Sleepless Nights And Strange Fears

    At night, she couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned, managing barely two hours after the first cock crowed, then nothing until the next night when the cycle repeated.

    Slowly, she started noticing something else: her dresses and skirts felt looser.

    “What is happening to me?” she wondered.

    “Could it be cancer? That’s what causes sudden weight loss, right? Or maybe TB? But I’m not coughing
”

    The Request That Stopped Her

    Before she could untangle her fears, her daughter walked in.

    “Mum, it’s been so long since we went out as a family. Why don’t we go to Bofa Beach tomorrow? Judith and Jay will be there too.”

    Niss stared at her for two minutes, silent, until a housefly almost flew into her open mouth.

    Finally, she said, “No. Why do you kids want a posh life? Don’t you see how we’re struggling? Do you think I’m like your uncle who makes big money off his employees? I’m not spending even a dime on a ‘walk.’ I’m trying to save every shilling so we can start this business!”

    Her voice was sharp, her anger louder than she meant.

    The Kids Take Action

    A few minutes later, she found her kids already packed, neatly dressed, ready to leave. “We’re going to stay at Uncle’s house tonight,” they said. “Tomorrow we’ll go to Bofa with them.”

    Niss’s heart sank. She felt angry, surprised, and pitiful all at once.

    What kind of mother have I become? What happened to taking care of my babies? To the fun we used to have?

    The Beach That Changed Everything

    A mother on a beach with her baby. Relates to Niss trying to escape the harsh layer poultry business struggles and reconnect with nature.
    Go to the beach often. The winds and waves are therapeutic and they help you reconnect with nature.

    That night, those questions wouldn’t let her rest. Finally, she made a decision. The next morning, she took her children to Bofa Beach herself.

    And for the first time in a long while, she laughed. The waves washed her worries, the sun warmed her heart, and she remembered what joy felt like. Watching her daughter talking to a boy, it struck her — her little girl was growing into a young woman, and she had almost missed it.

    If she kept ignoring moments like this, she would wake up one day and her children would be gone, grown, out of reach.

    A Lesson She Couldn’t Forget

    When they returned home that evening, tired but happy, Niss whispered to herself:

    “Family first. Money second.”

    That night, she slept early, peacefully.

    And with that, she learned the truth — you should never sacrifice yourself or your family, even while building a business. Know your priorities and give them the importance they deserve. Money can wait. Family cannot.

    To help you prioritize you life as you build your business, also read Finding Purpose On Your Farm

    And get this Free Printable Purpose Planner straight to your email.

    Secret Layers Purpose Planner to help you find a strong why for you layer poultry farm success
    Name

    See you on the blog!

    Carlos Deche

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

    secretlayerske@gmail.com

  • 6 PROVEN WAYS TO ADD VALUE TO YOUR EGGS

    How do you sell your tray of eggs for Ksh.2,000 or even Ksh.5,000?

    Well, you don’t. Nobody in their right mind will buy a tray for that crazy amount when they can get it somewhere else for Ksh.350. I personally wouldn’t either.

    But wait, not so fast.

    Why do we have $1 bags and $1,000 bags? Can’t you also have Ksh.350 trays of eggs and Ksh.2,000 premium trays?

    Drumrolls


    Yes, you can. And there’s only one secret to that: increase the value of your eggs so they’re worth more than what you want to sell them for.

    The reason I’ll buy your tray of eggs for Ksh.350 is because I believe it’s worth more than that. The reason I won’t buy it for Ksh.2,000 is because I believe it’s not worth that much.

    So, how do you make your eggs worth Ksh.2,000? That’s the billion-shilling question.

    And here’s the million-shilling question.

    You’ve probably heard of advice about processing eggs to increase their value. While those are true and important, they’re not the real gold in value addition of eggs.

    Let’s look at 6 practical ways you can make more money from your eggs.

    Pay more attention to the last 2.

    Numbers 5 and 6.

    1. BOILED EGGS

    You’ve seen this before. An egg you would have sold for Ksh.12 can be sold boiled for Ksh.30 with little added cost. It’s the simplest form of value addition of eggs, though not always easy to scale.

    Selling all your eggs as boiled is unreasonable, but depending on your location, selling even a percentage as boiled can give you a good return.

    2. BAKING

    Eggs are a key raw material in bakeries. If you know how to bake, here is a chance to turn eggs into higher-value products.

    Instead of waiting for someone to buy your tray at Ksh.350, you can bake cakes, pastries, or bread and sell them for much more.

    For best practice, treat your bakery and your farm as two separate businesses. Let your bakery buy the eggs from your farm, so you keep proper records and profits clear.

    Kimani, a farmer from Kenya is doing this profitably.

    https://youtu.be/wHPsX8bLhQg?si=tUldF2t2j3ZH58cz

    3. LIQUID EGGS

    Now we get to serious money.

    Collecting and pasteurizing liquid eggs makes them:

    Easier to handle
    Longer lasting
    Simple to use

    Liquid eggs can be sold as whole, whites only, or yolks only. They’re preferred by bakeries, hotels, and even gym enthusiasts.

    In 2021, a 350ml bottle went for Ksh.350, and from one tray you can make about 5 bottles. Do the math!

    This requires some machinery and branding, but it’s a high-value opportunity with great scalable potential.

    Here’s how one woman in Kenya is processing liquid eggs.

    https://youtu.be/noJ4FU39-u8?si=_c567QQvAgNYCId_

    4. POWDERED EGGS

    Next to liquid eggs are powdered eggs. These are widely used in bakeries, pharmaceuticals, and by athletes. Powdered eggs are easy to transport, have a long shelf life, and attract premium clients.

    Like liquid eggs, this method requires investment in equipment, but the returns can be significant.

    Here’s one woman from Nigeria successfully doing this.

    https://youtu.be/qm5k56XFaRw?si=DHoxMEHYKf-UdAGd

    5. OFFER BUNDLES

    Value is always about perception. An egg I want for supper is ordinary. An egg that saves my life is worth more,priceless.

    Here are examples of how to bundle value:

    Home delivery : Save your customers time and they’ll pay more.

    Quality guarantee: Clean, unbroken eggs fetch a premium.

    Freshness promise: Offer non-refrigerated, fresh-from-farm eggs.

    Customer support: Teach new customers how to cook simple egg recipes.

    These small extras make your eggs stand out and allow you to charge more without feeling like you’re overpricing.

    Here’s an Indian company that combines most if these.

    https://youtu.be/OdYVO5vXvWI?si=Yy-3FQefzAGPP83W

    6. CREATIVE VALUE ADDITION

    The greatest form of value addition of eggs comes from your creativity. Think differently and test new ideas. Here are practical options:

    Farm-to-table subscriptions — Deliver weekly egg boxes to families for a premium.

    Branded grading & packaging — Sort eggs into large, medium, premium and use simple branded cartons.

    Premium branded and packaged eggs as a way of value addition to your eggs.
    How much would you pay for these eggs?
    That the power of packaging and branding.
    Premium branded and packaged eggs.
    Unique, Premium branding and packaging can increase the value of your eggs and differentiate your eggs from your competitors.

    Here’s another amazing exampleđŸ€Ż

    https://pin.it/7stFrp10b

    Recipe or meal kits — Pair eggs with a recipe card (e.g., omelette kit) to sell convenience.

    Corporate & event packs — Supply branded trays for offices, hotels, and events.

    Partnerships with bakeries/cafes — Offer exclusive supply deals for stability.

    Specialty eggs — Try small runs like free-range or smoked eggs for higher prices.

    Teach & sell — Share quick recipe guides or demos alongside your eggs.

    Try and try.
    Keep what works and drop what doesn’t. This is how you innovate beyond the traditional value addition of eggs.

    Register for our regular Layer Chicken Digest Tips via email to get tips on how to structure your offer bundles and value ideas👇🏿

    Nothing great is built through ordinary thinking. Don’t get stuck complaining about low prices. Instead, find creative, profitable ways to make your eggs worth more.

    Remember this: when you provide more value than your price, customers will happily pay.

    See you next Friday!


    Carlos Deche
    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com | secretlayerske@gmail.com

  • THE 9 LAYERS OF THE COLD GROUND

    đŸ’Ș🏿I’ll Be A Millionaire From Eggs

    “I’m going to be rich.
    I’m going to make a lot of money.
    I’m going to be a millionaire.

    I’ll be selling my eggs every day — money in my hands each morning.
    Which job pays you every day? None.”

    🛌🏿Dreaming In Numbers

    Niss lay on her bed, half-asleep, half-awake. Her daughter had already left for school; Niss let herself rest for a few more minutes — just a little longer😅

    “Let me do some quick math,” she whispered to the ceiling.

    If I start with 1,000 birds, that’s 1,000 eggs a day once they start laying.
    At Ksh.20 per egg — that’s Ksh.20,000 a day.

    Her mouth went dry. Ksh.20,000?đŸ˜±
    Times thirty. Ksh.600,000 a month.

    đŸ€“Wait Till Mama B Hears

    She imagined Mama B’s face. She imagined the neighbours whispering — jealous, saying she had “jinis.” She smiled. She didn’t mind.

    The city rose before her like a promise: a better house, quieter mornings, no more wrangles with neighbours. She pictured herself checking the village once in a while but living somewhere with pavements and light.

    ⚠The Stomach Knot Nobody Talks About

    Then the stomach-knots arrived — the same small panic she had felt before. Her heart skipped in a way she could almost taste it at the back of her throat.

    If layer poultry farming brings Ksh.600,000 a month, why isn’t everyone doing it?
    Is it that they don’t know? Or that they don’t have the money?

    đŸ“±One Google Search That Changed Everything

    She grabbed her phone and typed: Is layer poultry farming profitable?

    The results? -“You must be offline.” 😂She bought data. And the results returned.

    At the top: Layers vs Broilers: Why you should choose layers over broilers.
    It was from Secret Layers. She tapped the link and read the six reasons.

    đŸ’„When The Dream Cracks Wide Open


    One by one her assumptions fell away. Yes — steady cash flow. But something else hung on the page like a warning: raising layers is hard.

    Her chest tightened. The urge she usually felt when she was nervous pushed low in her belly. Layers can be profitable, yes — but the money doesn’t come easy. Her quick math had been a fantasy.

    📃The Cold Hard Truth On The Ground

    The 9 layers of cold ground.What you think you know about something is wrong until you do it.And on the ground,it's cold.
    Things on the ground are not what you think you know. The truth is cold. Real cold.

    This is what she realized:

    1. Having layers doesn’t guarantee daily sales. Marketing and selling takes time.


    2. Starting with 1,000 birds is far too risky for a beginner.


    3. Buying 1,000 chicks doesn’t mean 1,000 will reach laying age — she didn’t factor in mortality.


    4. Even healthy flocks don’t produce 100% — with good management, 80% is realistic.


    5. Ksh.20 per egg is retail. Bulk buyers pay less.


    6. You’ll likely sell in trays, not single eggs — and volume changes price.


    7. Ksh.20,000 per day is gross revenue — not net profit. Not even close.


    8. She hadn’t added expenses: daily feed, monthly labour, utilities, even a salary for herself.


    9. Nobody will care if she makes it. She has to do it for herself and for her children.

    There they are, the 9 things Niss had forgotten and she was reminded how things are different on the ground.

    đŸ€Nobody Cares

    Her neighbours were busy with their own lives; they weren’t waiting to cheer her on. The truth was sharp and lonely.

    đŸ„šThe Brown Image Of Hope

    As she scrolled away from the post, a brown image caught her eye — eggs and layer birds, simple and promising. It said: Register for free to get the guide.

    She registered. Then she opened her email.

    There it was:
    ✅ A beginner’s guide
    ✅ A printable purpose planner

    🔑From Fantasy To Plan

    She quickly read through the guides and oh boy! She was glad she did.

    She sat back and let the truth land in her skull. For the first time the fantasy and the work separated. The math stopped being a dream and began to look like a plan — one that required learning, humility and time.

    🚹Don’t Be Like Niss

    “I can’t believe I was just fantasizing about money without knowing anything about keeping layers,” she whispered. “Never again.”

    What’s in your head is very different from the work on the ground. Don’t be a spectator. Be the person in the arena.

    If you’ve ever pictured quick riches from birds and a single, neat calculation — stop. Learn the real steps first.



    👉 Register for free now and start the work with truth, not a fantasy.

    You’ll get our regular Layer Chicken Digest tips via email.

  • 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO START A LAYER FARM

    What do I need to start a layer farm? That’s a question many beginners ask. You may wonder if you should first buy land, get money, or even write a business plan.

    In this post, I’ll give you a clear answer. By the end, you’ll know exactly what you need to start a layer poultry farm. In fact, the same applies to almost any farming venture.

    What do I need before I start a farm?
    What do I really need to start my layer poultry farm? I’m confused😼‍💹 Don’t fret.Just keep reading.

    1. PEOPLE

    First, you need people. It is said, if you want to go far, go alone. If you want to go further, go with others.

    Well,here’s what I say, if you want to go anywhere worthy, you need people.

    In business, this is true. You cannot do everything on your own because you’ll quickly burn out. Moreover, business itself is about people—someone with a problem and someone with the solution.

    That means you’ll need partners, employees, customers, and suppliers. Even your spouse doesn’t have to like what you do, but they should at least support you. For marketing, sales, and legal matters, you’ll also need a team, including lawyers.

    Who will buy your eggs? Customers.

    Where will you get farm inputs? From suppliers.

    As Jim Collins said in his book Good to Great, you need the right people on the bus even before deciding where the bus should go.

    Therefore, choose carefully. Work with people who share your mission, goals, and values. Not just anybody.

    2. PLAN

    Next, you need a plan. This doesn’t have to be a long, bankable business plan. Honestly, those are often useless.

    Instead, have a simple plan that shows direction. Remember how we said to get the right people on the bus? Now, the plan is about deciding where that bus is going. It would be pointless to gather the right people only to lead them into a ditch.

    So, what should your plan include?

    Goals – How big do you want your farm to be?

    Mission – Why are you starting this farm beyond money?

    Product – Will you sell only eggs, or also chicks, feeds, or add value?

    Systems – How will your farm run daily?

    Legal – What approvals or licenses do you need to grow?

    Communication – How will buyers find you, and how will you sell to them?

    With these basics, your farm will have direction.

    3. GUIDE

    Equally important, you need a guide. This is step 1 and step 5 in our detailed guide to starting a layer poultry farm. That’s how vital it is.

    Get your FREE guide here 👇🏿:

    Great, you’ve already found your first guide—Secret Layers. Congratulations, because most people never take that step. From here, you’ll gain technical information and real knowledge about running a layer farm.

    Still, you should also find a physical guide. This is someone nearby who can help in case of emergencies and offer one-on-one support. Trust me, you’ll need such a guide.

    4. MONEY

    Many beginners think money is the number one need. While they’re not entirely wrong, the truth is you need the other things first.

    Still, you cannot ignore money. You’ll need cash to feed your birds from day one until about 4.5 months when they start laying. You’ll also need a chicken house, chicks, vaccines, water, and cash to cover ongoing costs like marketing and daily operations.

    In addition, you must think about cash flow. Without steady cash flow, your farm could stop running even if you have healthy birds. That’s why money matters, but only after people, plan, and guide.

    5. LAND

    Finally, let’s talk about land—the elephant in the room. Do you really need land to start raising chickens? Yes, you do.

    However, you don’t need to break the bank. You simply need enough space for your chicken house, storage, and workers. If you already have some land, start with that. If not, you can lease, borrow, or partner instead of spending thousands to buy.

    Remember the second “R” in DR. STARR—it stands for Resourceful. Use what you have.


    Now you know what you need to start a layer farm: people, plan, guide, money, and land. Don’t postpone your dream. Take the first step today and build the farm you’ve been thinking about.

    👉 Register below for free to get our regular Layer Chicken Digest tips.

    Name

    See you next Friday!

    Carlos Deche

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

    secretlayerske@gmail.com

  • THE MOTHER WHO MADE A DANGEROUS PROMISE

    A Busy Afternoon

    Niss was busy washing her youngest child’s school uniform. Monday was tomorrow, and the clothes had to be ready and ironed before bedtime. The sun was already low, casting long shadows across the yard. They had returned from church only 20 minutes earlier.

    Yes, these village churches—services often ran late. Today, the pastor had been recounting a five-year visit to her mother-in-law. Niss had left early because her daughter was sick. After what felt like a 10-hour prayer session from the pastor’s wife, her little girl was finally feeling better.

    She had asked her daughter to wash the uniforms the day before, but kids these days
 well, they didn’t always listen. Niss hung the last uniform on the line and thought, “Thank God she’s fine now.”

    Maybe she should call the headmaster to explain that her daughter might miss school. But wait—the headmaster had been at church too. Surely he understood.

    The Weight Of Responsibilities

    Her mind wandered to other pressing matters:

    • School fees were unpaid.
    • She owed Ksh. 40,000 to her chama.
    • The monthly siblings’ meeting was coming up.
    • Her other 4 kids will soon be home for the holidays.
    • Her father had just left the hospital, and her mother needed support.
    • Kadzo’s wedding was coming, and she hadn’t contributed yet.

    Life was heavy. “I need money. And I need it fast. Otherwise, I might die in this village,” she muttered.

    Villagers might think life here is easy—food everywhere, no one goes hungry. But Niss knew better.

    A Glimmer Of Hope

    Later that night, while preparing supper and scrolling through Facebook, a familiar page caught her eye: Secret Layers.

    She had seen it before, but now it struck her—this could be her way out. The guide promised practical steps to earn more money, learn business, and take control of your life.

    Her heart raced. She wanted to try, but reality hit: no money, no experience, no one to borrow from, and she was in debt.

    This layers thing looks risky, she thought.

    How do you feed birds for 4.5 months without a single egg?

    What if they die?

    What if I run out of money?

    I didn’t even do well in primary mathematics,how can I do business
 Never mind. It’s for the rich.

    A Daughter’s Plea

    “Maaa!” her daughter called, panic in her voice.
    “We have a trip to Gedi ruins next week! I don’t want to miss it like the previous one!”

    Niss’s chest tightened. Where was she going to get the money?

    “You won’t.”She mumbled.

    There it is.The dangerous promise.

    Could she keep it this time?

    She returned to the table, pushed aside the ironing, and opened her phone. She typed “Secret Layers” into the search bar, hit follow, and scrolled until she found the post she had been looking for:

    “Make a commitment and write it down. Date it. Sign it.”

    She smiled at the playful advice about cutting a finger and using a drop of blood like Ghost Rider. Just kidding!

    The Commitment

    Niss grabbed a notebook and wrote:

    03 September 2025

    I need to have money. I commit to keeping layers and making enough to support my family. I don’t want to disappoint my daughter.

    Signature.

    Relief washed over her. A burden lifted from her chest. A knife that had been half-stabbed into her heart seemed to vanish.

    She had no idea what lay ahead. She didn’t know the challenges, the risks, or the mistakes she might make. But she had made her choice. She had committed, and she had taken the first step.

    And sometimes, the first step—though hardest—is all you need to begin.

    Your Turn

    Have you made your commitment like Niss did?

    The first step may be the hardest but it’s also the most important.

    Start here

    Enter your email below.

  • HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LAYER BREED

    You’ve decided it’s layers you’re going to keep but you don’t know what to consider when choosing the best breed for your farm.

    If you’ve not yet decided it’s layers, please check this post where I give the 6 reasons that made me choose layers over broilers before you continue.

    There are over 40 layer chicken breeds, and it can feel overwhelming to select the perfect one for your farm.

    Although I’ve already shared my list of the Top 3 layer chicken breeds, I believe it’s even more useful to give you the factors you should consider when making your choice. That way, you’ll know how to pick the breed that best fits your goals and situation.

    These are 9 factors to consider. The first 3 are general factors, while the last 6 are chicken-specific factors that focus on the characteristics of the birds themselves.

    Hopefully, by the end of this guide you’ll be able to make the right choice of breed based on facts. And the best part? You’ll also be able to advise that friend of yours who’s just getting into egg production on what they should look for.

    GENERAL FACTORS

    1. GOALS

    When given 10 days to cut a tree, I’d take the first 7 sharpening the axe. You’ve probably heard this saying before.

    But here’s the best version — I got it from Seth Godin. He says it’s not just about sharpening the axe today. Instead, it’s about going back 20 years and asking: Which tree should I plant, and where should I plant it, so I can come back to cut it down 20 years later?

    That same thinking applies to farming.

    What is your goal with layer chicken farming?

    Are you planning to have a big commercial farm?

    Do you want to sell eggs for profit?

    Or is your plan to simply get a steady supply of eggs for your family?

    Maybe you just want a pet!😂

    This matters because different breeds have different egg production levels, require different levels of care, and some can even be quite fierce — not ideal if you’re looking for a pet.

    And if you want both eggs and meat, you should consider dual-purpose breeds like Kuroiler or Kenbro.

    👉 If you want to know which breed is best for commercial use and which one is better for personal use, check this guide.

    2. AVAILABILITY

    Don’t tell me you want to rear the Jersey Giant and you’re in Kenya — let’s say Kilifi.

    Why? Because you’ll most likely not find them locally. You’d either have to import or search endlessly. Honestly, I’ve never seen them here in Kenya. Maybe they exist somewhere, but I personally haven’t come across them.

    So, your choice of breed should depend on what is easily available around you. This way, you’ll save on transport costs and avoid unnecessary headaches.

    3. MARKET

    If your market prefers white eggs, get the White Leghorn. If your market prefers brown eggs, choose any of the other breeds.

    Don’t make the mistake of taking white eggs to a brown-egg market or brown eggs to a white-egg market. You’ll struggle to sell.

    Of course, you can still succeed if you focus on that small niche white egg market and serve it well — but that’s beyond the scope of this post. I’ll cover it in a future post.

    CHICKEN SPECIFIC FACTORS

    4. PRODUCTIVITY

    Different layer breeds have different levels of productivity. Hybrids usually have the highest.

    For example, ISA Brown will produce more eggs per year compared to a KenBro.

    So, for commercial purposes, you definitely want to choose the breed that gives you the highest number of eggs annually.

    5. FEED-TO-EGG CONVERSION

    This is the amount of feed a chicken eats that actually gets converted into eggs.

    For instance:
    Breed A: 1 chicken eats 100g of feed = 1 egg.

    Breed B: 1 chicken eats 150g of feed = 1 egg.

    Which one should you choose?

    Clearly, the one with the higher conversion rate, because it takes less feed to produce an egg. That means lower costs and more profit.

    6. LEVEL OF CARE NEEDED

    Are you a hands-on guy?

    Are you willing to learn how to manage chickens properly?

    Some breeds, especially Hy-Line, require a higher level of advanced care compared to breeds like ISA Brown or dual-purpose breeds.

    If you’re just starting out and want something simpler, go for breeds that need less specialized care.

    7. LOCATION

    Some breeds are suited for cooler, temperate regions,like the Brahma while others thrive in warm tropical areas.

    So, choose the appropriate breed for your climate to get the best results.

    Image of brahma chicken breed.A dual purpose breeds mainly kept in the cooler temperate regions.
    The brahma chicken breed mainly kept in the cooler temperate regions.You can see the feathers extending to her legs – They’re for protection against cold.

    8. ADAPTABILITY

    While some breeds are developed for specific regions, many can adapt and still perform well in both cold and warm areas.

    Breeds like ISA Brown, Hy-Line, and Lohmann Brown are known to do well in a wide range of conditions.

    9. DISEASE RESISTANCE

    In general, hybrids tend to have better resistance to diseases than pure breeds. This is because superior qualities are selected during their production.

    Most hybrid producers will specify the exact strengths of their birds, including the diseases they resist best. That makes it easier for you to choose.

    One Last Thing..

    Now you have a clear checklist to run through whenever a friend recommends a breed — or when you come across one online. This way, you’ll avoid making a choice you regret later.


    To help you even more, check out my recommendations for the top 3 layer chicken breeds in Kenya if you haven’t yet.

    Also register for free to get my guide plus the Layer Chicken Digest Tips via email.

    See you next Friday!

    Carlos Deche

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

    secretlayerske@gmail.com