This is a parable from ancient China that teaches us that things are neither good nor bad. They just are.
An image illustration of the Chinese farmer’s eldest boy on a horse
A farmer in a rural Chinese village bought a horse and brought it home. Early the next morning, as he was feeding the horse, it ran away. His neighbors felt sorry for him. They gathered around his farm and said, “We’re so sorry. How unlucky.”
The farmer calmly replied, “We’ll see.”
Just before sunset the next day, the horse returned with seven wild horses. The farmer and his family were very happy. The neighbors came back, smiling. “Oh, you’re so lucky! You now have eight horses. Your farm will grow quickly.”
The farmer replied, “We’ll see.”
Three days later, the farmer’s eldest son tried to ride one of the wild horses. He couldn’t control it, and the horse threw him over. The boy fell on the rocks and broke his leg. The neighbors said, “You’re so unlucky. The horses weren’t blessings at all. Poor boy. Poor family.”
The farmer simply said, “We’ll see.”
The following day, war broke out in the country. The king’s officers came to recruit young men for the army. The farmer’s son was rejected because of his injury. All the neighbors ran to him, saying, “Oh my God! Your son was spared. That’s so fortunate. How lucky!”
The farmer replied, “We’ll see.”
Life events are not inherently good or bad. They just happen. Many times, we try to assign meaning to them. We label events as good or bad. In reality, they don’t make sense in isolation.
Only after time passes, when you look at the bigger picture, does their meaning become clear.
Why Did I Write This Story On A Layer Poultry Farming Blog?
Things will happen in your life and on your farm. More than anything, you need a strong mind to get through these situations, whether they seem good or bad.
You’ll have good seasons, high production, and strong prices. Other times, you may face disease outbreaks, feed price hikes, personal emergencies, or very poor production.
That doesn’t mean you try to assign meaning to each situation. Instead, focus on solving the problem at hand or enjoying the success at hand.
That’s all that matters.
To learn more about resilience in farming, you need to know about DR.STARR a successful layer poultry farmer.
Get this Free Layer Poultry Farming Guide to learn how to start and run your layer poultry farm profitably.
I have been having a debate with myself for quite some time about whether I should choose day old chicks or just buy point of lay birds.
If you’re interested in layer poultry farming but you haven’t started yet, you’re more likely to face the same dilemma.
Should I buy day old chicks and raise them for about five months before I start earning, or should I buy point of lay birds and start making money next week?
And if you’ve been a follower of my Facebook and X (which I highly recommend you follow by the way… you’re missing a lot), you already know I prefer day old chicks to point of lay birds.
In this post, I’m going to show you why I chose day old chicks—not to convince you, but to show you my thought process. Hopefully, you’ll learn something from it.
1. Little Capital Required To Start
One day old layer chick costs around Ksh.150 right now(2025), while point of lay birds cost between Ksh.500–Ksh.1500, depending on age and seller. For me, day old chicks are a better option because they require less money to acquire the birds.
At first, I won’t have that much capital. Day old chicks give me a chance to start with a small budget and grow from there. This doesn’t include the cost of feeding for the 4.5 months, but at least I can start the poultry business with little money and buy more feed as I continue.
Let’s say I want to start with 100 birds.
🔴Day Old Chicks
✅Day Old Chicks cost 100 × 150 = Ksh.15,000
✅Each bird needs about 1.25kg in 8 weeks 100 birds × 2.5 = 250kg One 50kg bag = Ksh.4,000
Cost of 250kg
250 × 4000/50 = Ksh.20,000
Total = Ksh.35,000
🔴Point Of Lay
✅Point of lay birds cost
100 × Ksh.850 = Ksh.85,000
Total = Ksh.85,000
And that’s just the birds. I haven’t bought even one bag of feeds.
So you see the difference. A huge Ksh.50,000.
And this is before feeds. This is why day old chicks work for me—they let me start small as I continue finding money.
Caution: Make sure you have money to continue feeding your birds. If not, you’ll end up killing your chicks or selling them at a loss.
2.Learning Opportunity
A good number of people hate school, but this type of learning is different. And remember if you’re not learning, you’re dying.
Humans grow when they learn new things, and that’s exactly what day old chicks offer.
They give you a chance to learn how to:
– Prepare before receiving chicks – Brood correctly – Follow a vaccination schedule – Maintain strong biosecurity
You get to learn these for almost five months. Point of lay birds don’t give you this chance. They have already been brooded, most vaccines done, and all you get is a near-finished product.
Where is the fun in being handed success on a silver platter?
The amount of knowledge I’ve gained from brooding alone is massive. If I had planned to buy point of lay birds, I wouldn’t have bothered learning about brooding or vaccinations.
3. They’re Easier And Safer To Source
Getting 100 point of lay birds is easy. But what if your farm grows and now you want 5,000 birds? How easy will it be to source 5,000 point of lay birds from one place? Let me tell you—it’s as easy as getting rich quick in farming. Yes, I scared you there, but it’s true.
As your egg business grows, sourcing point of lay birds becomes difficult. You’ll need to buy in small batches from different sellers, and I personally don’t want that.
On the other hand, if you wanted 10,000 day old chicks today, you know where you would get them. Big hatcheries supply them all over Kenya, and they are credible compared to most point of lay sellers—mostly farmers like you and me.
Another sourcing problem with point of lay birds is the lack of transparency. You don’t know:
– If the vaccination records are true – If the feeding program was followed – If the birds are uniform – If the birds are healthy – Or even their exact age
Many farmers buy “18-week-old” birds expecting eggs in one week, only for them to start laying two months later. Others buy mixed breeds, including dual-purpose chickens instead of hybrid layers.
Worst of all, some farmers buy birds that fall sick or die the next day—even with updated vaccination cards.
Imagine paying Ksh.85,000 for 100 point of lay birds only for them to die. You don’t want that.
This almost never happens with day old chicks if you buy from regulated hatcheries.
Day old chicks vs Point of lay birds
4. They Offer Control Over Your Business
Day old chicks give me full control over my business. I choose when to stock, how to brood, what to feed, which vaccines to use, and how to raise my flock.
You can’t do that with point of lay birds.
What if you want to stock next month, but your supplier’s birds are still three weeks old? You wait. You also don’t control how they brooded, fed, or handled those birds.
Big layer poultry farms don’t buy point of lay birds. They all buy day old chicks and raise them themselves. Why? Because control is everything. Even cost control.
Plus remember, the seller wants profit. If their feed prices were high, they’ll pass that cost to you.
Control your business if you want to scale your poultry farm.
5. Profitability
Day old chicks are simply more profitable than point of lay birds. The only advantage point of lay have is quick cash, which doesn’t last.
With day old chicks, you control your production cost from the beginning. With time, your brooding becomes effective, mortality stays low, your cost stays down, and you get maximum production from your layers.
This results in: – More eggs – Better profits – Predictable performance
Something that is hard to achieve with point of lay birds because the foundation is out of your hands.
And if you want, you can even sell your own point of lay birds later and profit from your skills. I’m not saying you should—but you can.
6. Fun
Lastly, day old chicks are fun. They’re like babies—many babies. You get them on day one of life and you raise them to maturity. They don’t get married, but they lay eggs. Hallelujah!
By the way that’s normal😅
The sad part is selling them off as ex-layers.
And Fun is part of our Secret Layers core values.
If you’re not fun, buy point of lay birds.
Those are the six reasons why I chose day old chicks and point of lay birds. They give me control, the ability to scale, and I enjoy doing it.
Let me know in the comments what you will choose for your farm—DOC or POL—and why. You might have better reasons, and I’d love to know.
If brooding is the main challenge stopping you from choosing day old chicks, get this Free Layer Poultry Farming Guide and I’ll send you a Free Brooding Guide next.
You’re probably wondering which is more profitable between day oldchicks and point of lay birds. Every farmer has an opinion, and you’ve likely heard many. Today, let’s settle this once and for all.
Before we start, to get the most out of this post, read this guide first:
This will help you decide which option suits your farm best.
In this post, we’ll compare day old chicks (DOC) and point of lay (POL) birds, looking at their advantages and disadvantages. By the end, you’ll know which one fits your goals — whether you want to learn, save time, or make quick profits.
1. Learning Opportunity
Raising day old chicks gives you a valuable learning experience that point of lay birds do not. Starting with DOC means you learn everything — brooding, feeding, vaccination, and general poultry management. You’ll understand your birds from the first day until they start laying eggs.
On the other hand, buying POL hens skips this stage. You get birds ready to lay, but you miss the practical lessons that build your confidence as a poultry farmer.
If you want fast cash, POL may suit you. However, if you want long-term mastery, DOC offers better training and experience.
2. Time Investment
Raising day old chicks takes more time compared to point of lay birds. With DOC, you must care for them for around 18 weeks before they start laying. Those first 5 months are the most crucial and demanding in a bird’s life.
Meanwhile, POL hens save you that time. Since they’re already mature, they can start laying eggs within a week or two after purchase. Therefore, you begin earning faster, which is ideal for farmers focused on quick returns from their egg production business.
3. Skills Required
Handling day old chicks requires more skill than managing point of lay hens. Brooding demands knowledge of temperature control, feed management, and a proper vaccination schedule for layers. Any mistakes at this stage can lead to high chick mortality.
In contrast, POL layers need fewer technical skills. You mainly feed them, maintain clean housing, and continue a few vaccinations. This makes them suitable for beginners or part-time poultry farmers who have little experience.
Day old chicks vs Point of lay birds
4. Cost Comparison
At first glance, buying point of lay birds seems expensive. In 2025, day old chicks cost around Ksh.150 each, while point of lay birds range between Ksh.800 and Ksh.1,500 depending on the age and seller.
However, when you consider the total cost of rearing DOCs — feed, brooding equipment, electricity, and vaccines — the expenses can add up. Raising them to the point of lay costs much more than buying ready-to-lay birds. So, while POL looks pricey upfront, it can save you time and early-stage costs.
5. Profit And Return Potential
The return potential for day old chicks can be higher once you master your system. Initially, it seems easier to buy point of lay hens and start earning immediately. Yet, experienced farmers know that once you perfect your brooding and reduce mortality, profits from DOC can surpass those from POL.
That’s because you can grow your own chicks, sell some as point of lay to other farmers, and even brood chicks for clients at a fee. These extra income streams make DOC a strong long-term business strategy.
6. Risk Level
Every poultry venture has risks. With day old chicks, the main risk is high mortality during brooding. If you lack experience or proper housing conditions, losses can occur quickly.
On the other hand, point of lay birds come with hidden risks. You may not always know their real age, vaccination history, or overall health status. If you buy from unverified suppliers, you risk bringing diseases to your farm. Always source your POL hens from trusted, certified farms to avoid these issues.
7. Sourcing And Availability
Sourcing day old chicks is generally easier. Kenya has many verified hatcheries supplying healthy DOCs every week. You can book and collect your chicks without much hassle.
However, finding reliable point of lay birds can be stressful. You may need to buy from different farmers to reach your desired number. That process takes time, increases risk, and sometimes affects flock uniformity — an important factor in layers egg production.
8. The Fun Factor
If it’s not fun, we’re not doing it — that’s one of our core values at Secret Layers. Raising day old chicks is much more rewarding and exciting than buying point of lay birds. Watching your chicks grow from tiny neonates to full layers gives unmatched satisfaction.
For farmers who enjoy seeing results from their hard work, DOC farming brings more joy. But if you prefer less hustle and instant results, POL might suit you better.
9. Business Opportunity (Bonus)
There’s a growing business opportunity in point of lay production. Many farmers buy day old chicks, raise them to POL, and then sell them at a profit. Others brood chicks for clients for a fee, turning their poultry knowledge into an extra income stream.
Therefore, whether you choose DOC or POL, the key is to plan your farm as a real business, not just a hobby.
Both day old chicks and point of lay birds can be profitable depending on your goals, experience, and resources. Ifyou want to learn and build a long-term business, start with DOC. But if your priority is fast income with minimal effort, go for POL.
I’ll soon share a detailed post on what I personally chose — and why. Watch out for it!
Get my Free Layer Poultry Farming Guide here👇🏿
Just register and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
It was one of those cold mornings that make you hug your jacket tighter. Niss woke up refreshed. She’d slept deeply, peacefully. Nothing special had happened, but she felt calm inside — ready for another day on her layer poultry farm.
She went to her storage room to measure feed for her 22-week-old layer chickens. The morning was quiet.Too quiet.
Even as she neared the chicken house, not a single cluck or flutter broke the silence.
> “They must have slept well… just like me,” Niss thought with a smile.
But her smile faded. Her birds were never this quiet during feeding time. Her heart began to race.
A Silent Chicken House
After disinfecting her shoes, she opened the door…..
and froze.
Inside, her chickens lay still on the litter. Not one moved. Not one made a sound.
She felt dizzy. Her chest tightened. She reached for one bird — cold. Another — the same. All gone.
623 layer chickens. Silent. Dead.
Tears rolled down her face. She had done everything right — all vaccines, feeding schedules, and hygiene routines. There hadn’t been any sign of a disease outbreak nearby.
When Everything You Did Right Still Fails
Niss called the vet, her voice shaking. He arrived quickly, calm but serious. > “Did you notice any signs of disease?” he asked.
“No,” Niss said. “They were fine last night. Though they didn’t finish their feed… and one bird looked sleepy, but it woke up.”
The vet took a few samples for postmortem testing and left her with words she would never forget.
Lessons No One Talks About
One day your chicken might all die. Not because you did something wrong, but because it just happens sometimes. You have to be ready so you don’t give up.
✅ Diseases still attack even when birds are vaccinated.
✅ Vaccines are not 100% effective — always watch your flock closely.
✅ Isolate any sick-looking bird and call a poultry vet immediately.
✅ Never eat dead birds — you don’t know what killed them. It’s not safe for you.
✅ Sometimes, even when you do everything right, bad things just happen.
That day broke Niss’s heart. But it also reminded her that farming isn’t just about feed and vaccines. It’s about expecting for the worst and being ready, patience, discipline, and resilience.
Because sometimes, you can do everything right… and still lose. What matters is what you do next.
💬 Your Turn
Have you ever lost birds suddenly on your farm? Share your experience in the comments — your story might help another poultry farmer avoid the same pain.
👉 Get a Free copy of my Layer Poultry Farming Guide and regular Layer Chicken Digest Tips here👇🏿
If someone gave you Ksh.50,000 today, what would you do with it?
This is how I would turn Ksh.50,000 (approximately $385) into a thriving business through the NYOTA Program Kenya.
The government of Kenya, through the NYOTA Program, is offering grants and training to empower Kenyan youth. It’s an amazing opportunity for those who qualify. Unfortunately, I don’t meet the criteria for application, but if I did, here’s exactly how I would use the funds to build a sustainable business.
Not something lifeless or short-term, but a venture with a real vision of growth.
It’s sad that many businesses started through such government programs die off within a year. Evidence from the earlier Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) shows that only a small percentage survive past five years.
That’s why I decided to share how I would personally use the NYOTA grant and the strategies I would apply to make the business last. I hope you’ll find value in it and maybe borrow a few ideas for your own plan.
By the way, congratulations if you received the grant!
Step 1 : Decide And Commit To One Business
The first thing I would do is make a clear decision and commit to one business. I would choose layer poultry farming — and I have good reasons for it which you can check here👇🏿
It’s something I’ve been studying and researching for a long time, and that focus gives me an edge.
There are many profitable opportunities out there. However, without clarity, it’s easy to end up confused and scattered.
So I would decide, commit, and lock in. No broilers. No goats. No hotel. No forex.
Layer poultry farming only.
Step 2 : Learn
Before starting, I would spend one to two weeks learning everything about layer poultry farming. That means not just how to raise the birds, but also how to run the business side of things.
I’d study topics such as:
✅Brooding
✅Feeding
✅Disease management
✅Marketing and sales
✅Branding and negotiation
In addition, I would visit established layer farmers and learn directly from their experiences. I’d talk to egg traders — both wholesalers and retailers — to understand the egg business better.
I’d also reach out to poultry experts for practical advice.
Meanwhile, I would get a reliable internet connection for a week and binge-watch YouTube videos about layer poultry farming in Kenya. I’d read blogs, success stories, and mistake lists.
Of course, I would also check X, Facebook, and TikTok pages of farmers to see what works for them.
Secret Layers is already a good place to start for this kind of information — both technical poultry farming and business.
To help with this learning phase, I have a Free Layer Poultry Farming Guide you can get here 👇🏿
Another skill I would add is contentcreation. There are countless free online resources on how to make engaging and educational farming content.
After one or two weeks, I wouldn’t be an expert yet, but I’d know enough to start my layer farm confidently.
Step 3 : Start The Farm
Layer Chicken in a poultry house. While Ksh.50k won’t get you this at first, with a long term business strategy you can get here.
Next, I would begin the actual farm setup. My plan would be to start with 50 layer chickens. That’s enough to make sense as a business but still manageable for a beginner.
However, there’s one issue. Starting a 50-bird layer poultry farm in Kenya costs around Ksh.91,000, according to my recent research (see the cost breakdown here👇🏿
I have a plan — and I’ll share how to make it work. Just trust me and follow the logic to the end.
I would follow the exact process outlined in my Free guide to set up the farm and get my chicks started.
At this point, the farm would be running.
Now, layer chickens take about four and a half months before they begin laying eggs. That means no cash flow for about five months.
So what next?
Step 4 : Create Content Around My Farming Journey
During this waiting period, I would focus on creating content. I’d document my entire journey from day one — every success, failure, and lesson learned.
Don’t frown yet. Maybe if I say “teach people what I’m learning,” it will sound better. But yes, I’d share my journey publicly.
This would include content across YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, X, and Pinterest. However, I’d focus mainly on the three I use most — Facebook, X, and YouTube.
This approach is exactly how Secret Layers started — by teaching and documenting.
For instance you can watch the YouTube video of this blog post here👇🏿
Setting up social media accounts is free. The only small cost would be basic content tools like a ring light, tripod stand, and microphone — not more than Ksh.3,000 ($23).
There are two main reasons for creating content:
1. To build a brand around my farm. The content would serve as my marketing and branding engine.
2. To create a potential income stream. In time, monetizing these platforms could bring in more money to grow the farm further.
At that point, I’d have two things running – a real farm and a growing online brand.
That’s the foundation of a long-term business.
Now The Secret To Make My Whole Plan To Work
Step 5 : PartnerWith Another Beneficiary
Now, remember that the cost of starting the 50-bird farm is Ksh.91,000, but the grant is only Ksh.50,000.
Here’s the secret to make it work.
I would partner with another NYOTA Program beneficiary. Together, we would combine our grants for a total of Ksh.100,000.
The NYOTA Program includes a training period before the funding phase. I’d use that time to identify a serious, like-minded partner — preferably someone from my area, maybe a friend, or someone who shares my farming vision.
Finding the right partner isn’t always easy, but it’s the smartest way to make this plan possible. And I would treat it like my life depended on it.
That’s my blueprint for how I would use the NYOTA Program grant to build a sustainable and profitable business.
You don’t need millions to start. With focus, learning, and creativity, you can turn Ksh.50,000 into something that grows year after year.
If you’ve received the NYOTA grant, congratulations again. Use it wisely, and build something that will last beyond five years.
💡 If you want to start your own layer poultry business..
Get my Free Guide: 6 Steps to Start a Profitable Layers Poultry Farm here👇🏿
And I’d love to hear your thoughts — what would you do with your Ksh.50,000 NYOTA grant?
Niss had just sold off her first batch of ex-layers. It had been a successful run — her birds maintained an impressive 80% laying rate the entire period. For a first-time farmer, that was nothing short of amazing.
Now, she was taking a one-month break before bringing in her next batch. The chicken house needed time to dry after disinfection — an essential step to prevent disease transmission to new chicks.
But that also meant no income for a whole month.
She didn’t have enough savings to build another chicken house. And for a moment, she wondered, What will I do now?
Voices In The Dark
That night, around midnight, Niss was woken by faint voices outside her house. A woman’s voice. It sounded like she was talking to herself. “Is that the village witch?” Niss thought, half terrified.
She sprang out of bed and crept toward the door. As she reached the hallway, the voices grew louder — but now there were two people.
Her heart pounded hard, pumping litres of blood to her legs, ready to sprint for her still-short dear life.
Then it hit her. Wait. That’s coming from my daughters’ room.
She froze. Are they—? She didn’t want to finish that thought.
Listening closer, she realized the voices were indeed her two daughters.
When she asked why they were awake at midnight, their answer confused her even more. Something about a “masterclass” and “techniques” and “digital something.”
Niss didn’t get it — not that night. She went back to bed, uneasy but curious.
The Morning Revelation
By morning, after another round of questioning, she finally understood: Her daughters had been attending an online masterclass on professional knitting.
That surprised her — but it also sparked a thought. What if I did the same?
What if she taught others what she already knew so well — layer poultry farming?
She had seen people online making money teaching what they knew. Some even lived lavishly — nice cars, big houses, flashy lifestyles.
Before she could dream too far, her daughters interrupted her thoughts. > “Mama, stop there,” they said. “That internet life is a lie. But you can make money from YouTube — not to buy a sports car, but enough to cover slow months like this.”
That was all Niss needed to hear.
“Then show me how,” she said eagerly. “I want to start right now!”
Her daughters laughed.
> “Chill, Mama. Take it slow. Remember how you prepared before starting your layer farm? That’s what you need to do for this too.”
They were right.
Before she started her poultry business, Niss had done months of research — visiting farms, asking questions, taking notes. Skipping that process now would be against her own rules.
She had to learn again — this time, about content creation and online education.
The Turning Point
That morning, Niss made up her mind. She would teach poultry farming online, just like she raised her chicks — step by step, carefully, consistently.
She would share her knowledge through videos, blog posts, and stories that help other farmers grow.
Maybe it would work. Maybe it wouldn’t. But she was determined to earn that extra income — while teaching others the craft she loved.
Why Don’t You Try It?
If you’re a farmer, you probably have mountains of knowledge and experience others would love to learn from.
And sometimes, there are slow months — when you’re between flocks, waiting for the next batch, or the market is just quiet.
That’s when creating content can become your second source of income. You teach, you inspire, and you make a little extra money — all while building your farm into a loveable, trusted brand.
So why not try it yourself? Start small. Start real. And remember, every great farm — and every great brand — starts with a single story.
Get a Free copy of my Beginner Layer Poultry Farming Guide here.
“Yes, that’s true,” Niss said confidently. “I spend crazy amounts of money on feed.”
“And I figured out the best way to cut that cost,” her friend went on, “is to make your own feed.”
She sounded proud. “So now I’m talking to some farmers and companies — maize, soybeans, sunflower — trying to make deals so I can get the raw materials. That way, I’ll make my own feed. If I cut that cost, I’ll get more profit. These feed companies are exploiting us. I won’t be one of their victims.”
Niss nodded politely.
“Anyway, have a good day,” her friend said, turning toward home.
Niss just stood there. Her mind echoed one word: Why. Why. Why.
The Funeral (2)
October 15th, 2025– Wednesday
Niss’s phone rang. It was her friend again.
She picked it up half-heartedly.
“Guess what, Niss! I’ve gotten the contract!”
“What contract?” Niss asked, confused.
“For Ngerenya Secondary School! I talked to the principal. I told him I’m starting a one-thousand-bird layer farm and that I’d like to supply them eggs every week. And he said yes! I’m so happy.”
She went on, voice bubbling with excitement. “Now I just need two more schools, and all my eggs will have a market once I start producing. I won’t even struggle.”
Niss felt heat rising in her chest. Her hands trembled. Anger boiled inside her — not hate, but the kind that burns when someone just doesn’t get it.
She took a deep breath and said it.
“Friend. Number one — the principal lied to you. Number two — and most important — start your damn farm.
Which eggs will you sell? Who will you be making the feeds for? Which chickens did you buy the land for?
Brooding can feel like the scariest monster in poultry farming, yet receiving day old chicks doesn’t have to be terrifying if you know exactly what to do. Many farmers give up—or never start—because they fear brooding.
It is the most sensitive period in a chicken’s life, just like the first 28 days for humans.
The first day especially is critical. On day one, a small mistake can turn your joy into despair if all your chicks die. But I don’t want that for you. If you’ve read the 28 Equipment List and How to prepare for day old chicks arrival,now you must be ready for the moment your day old chicks arrive. This post walks you through receiving day old chicks, step by step, so there’s no guesswork when your chicks arrive (or when you pick them).
1. Pre-heat the brooder
Since day old chicks lack enough feathers, you need to control the brooding temperature carefully. Brooding is a temperature-sensitive phase, especially on day one.
Heat the brooder 2 to 3 hours before the chicks arrive. Aim for about 30–33 °C (this may vary by region and supplier).
If it’s cool, use your heat source; if hot, increase ventilation by adjusting windbreakers or openings.
2. Prepare glucose in water
Transport stresses chicks. They might arrive dehydrated and weak. So before they arrive, mix glucose in water. This gives them quick energy and helps them recover from the journey.
This simple act may mean the difference between 100% survival and full mortality. Be ready—this solution must already be in place when the chicks arrive. Consult your vet for recommended doses.
3. Count your chicks
Once your day old chicks arrive, firstcount them. Whether the supplier brings them or you pick them up, counting ensures you got the number you ordered. Some may die during transit, so count.
Some suppliers often compensate or replace dead chicks later.
4. Weigh your chicks
Weighing helps track uniform growth. Though the hatchery may have done this, it’s best practice to weigh again on your farm. For most breeds, a day-old chick should weigh around 45 grams. Record this as your baseline for later comparisons.
5. Dip their beaks in water
When placing chicks into the brooder, gently dip their beaks into the glucose water. This teaches them how to drink and helps them find the water.
If you have helpers, have them assist in this step so it’s efficient and calm.
6. Introduce feed
Allow the chicks 2–3 hours after arrival to hydrate and calm down. Then begin introducing feed. Use brooder paper (newspapers, carton, etc.). Put feed in their feeders and also sprinkle some on the paper so they can see and find it easily. Within a short time, they’ll move to the feeders on their own.
7. Monitor crop fill
Several hours later (and then at least twice that day), check the crop of each chick. The crop is that small pouch in their neck. Inspect it to confirm they are feeding and drinking.
Full & soft → good (they ate and drank)
Empty → no feed or water yet
Full & hard → ate but did not drink
Full & very soft → drank but not ate
Your goal: at least 80% of chicks with full and soft crops indicates most chicks have found water and feed.
8. Provide light
Chicks need light to find feed and water. During day one of brooding, ensure there is enough light—even if they arrive in the evening or in darkness.
For layers, start with ~21 hours of continuous light for a few days, then gradually reduce to 14–16 hours daily.
9. Monitor closely
One day old chicks received today in a proper brooder with light,heat,water and feed.
Receiving day old chicks is just the start. The real work lies in ongoing care. Monitor:
Brooder temperature
Feed and water intake via crop checks
Growth (weigh daily or often)
Mortality
Consistent monitoring separates good farmers from those who rely only on remote advice.
10. Vaccinate
If your chicks weren’t vaccinated against Marek’s disease at the hatchery, make sure you do it on day one. This vaccine protects them from a deadly viral infection that causes paralysis and poor growth. Always confirm with your supplier, and if it hasn’t been done, call your vet to administer it immediately.
Don’t delay this step—it’s one of the most important early protections for your day old chicks.
This guide gives you a clear, step-by-step plan for receiving day old chicks. No confusion, no guesswork. Yes, some chicks might die—that’s expected—but with this approach, mortality should be far lower than going in blind.
Schools had opened for the new year. The laughter, the shouting, the morning rush — all gone. Now, the neighborhood was dead quiet, like the calm after a storm.
“You know, Niss,” her friend said, breaking the silence. “That thing we talked about — keeping layers. We should do it. It’s a good idea.”
“Yeah, absolutely,” Niss replied. “I’ve been preparing. Reading, researching… there’s a ton of information in blogs, articles, even YouTube videos. It looks promising. I think I’m ready to start.”
“Really? Well, good for you.” Her friend smiled. “How many are you planning to start with?”
“I don’t know. I don’t mind starting with a hundred birds. It depends on how much money I can get.”
“A hundred?” Her friend’s eyebrows shot up. Niss suddenly wondered what she’d said wrong.
“How much profit will you even get from that? So small.”
“Here’s my plan,” her friend whispered, leaning forward like she was about to share a secret. “I’m planning to start big — massive profits, you know? I want not less than a thousand birds. I heard an expert say anything less than that is pointless.”
She paused, frowning. “But you know my piece of land — it’s small. If I keep a thousand birds, I’ll have no room left for maize or cassava. So for now, I’m saving. I want to buy a bigger plot. I hear Be Kanze is selling part of his land. That’s what I’m aiming for. When I start, it’ll be big — and fast.”
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I think it’s a dead plan,” Niss said flatly. “Let’s start with what we can for now.”
“Not true. Just wait and see,” her friend replied, folding her arms.
After a few more rounds of back-and-forth, Niss finally walked back home, unsure if she’d made her point — or lost it.
The Funeral
It’s heartbreaking seeing your chicks die. Whether on day one of arrival or any other time. It’s so tough.
April 28th, 2025 – Monday
“Hey, what’s that?” a voice called out behind her.
Niss turned. It was her friend.
“I’m burying two of my chicks. They died overnight,” Niss said quietly.
“Chicks? Dead? What chicks?” her friend asked, puzzled.
“Layer chicks — the ones we talked about. I bought a hundred and fifty. Now they’re a hundred and forty. Ten have died so far. I spoke to the vet, and he said a few deaths are normal. But it shouldn’t be too many.”
“See? I told you. If you’d waited, this wouldn’t be happening. Plus, if you had a thousand birds and lost a hundred, you’d still have nine hundred left. That’s still good money,” her friend said, voice laced with concern.
“Where are you with your plan?” Niss asked.
“Oh, I’ve got the land now,” her friend said proudly. “So I’m saving for the next step — the structure, the chicks, equipment, and feeds. I heard prices have gone up again. Once I’ve saved enough, I’ll hire a contractor and buy my chicks.” She smiled, confident.
“That’s good,” Niss said slowly, “but I think you’re wasting time.”
“No, I’m not. Just wait and see.”
Niss sighed and turned away. Maybe she should wait.
For now.
But she knew that this was the day she had buried her inexperience in brooding. The day of the funeral..
(Part 2 drops next week Friday)
Register below to get this Free Layer Poultry Beginners Guide and Regular Layer Chicken digesttips straight to your email.
Be like DR.STARR and master the 7 qualities of a successful layer chicken farmer required for a profitable and sustainable layer farm.
Remember the quail farming craze of 2010?
Kenyan farmers invested heavily, only for many to lose millions when the market crashed.
One farmer even released 3,000 quails into the wild because he could not sustain the business.
But what was the real problem?
Were quails themselves a bad idea?
Not really. Some people actually became millionaires during that time. So why did some farmers succeed while others failed?
The difference often lies in character, values, and qualities rather than just resources. Sometimes success comes not from what you have but from who you are.
In this post, I’ll show you how adopting the DR. STARR framework can transform your layer farming journey.
DR. STARR is an acronym representing 7 qualities of a successful layer chicken farmer – essential traits every farmer must have.
1.DESIRE
Napoleon Hill, in Think and Grow Rich, calls desire “the starting point of all achievement—the first step toward riches.”
You don’t necessarily need deep passion for chickens to succeed in poultry farming, but you must cultivate a strong desire to succeed in keeping layers.
Wishing for success is not enough. Instead, develop a desire so strong it becomes an obsession. Then plan definite ways to achieve your goal and back those plans with persistent action. When your mind obsesses over success, it naturally finds ways to make it real.
Look around you.
Every great achievement you’ve ever had probably began as a thought—a simple desire in your mind. Your layer chicken farm is no different: desire first, then achievement.
2.RESILIENCE
Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
Poultry farming, like any business, comes with challenges. Birds may die from disease, feed prices may spike, or theft might wipe out your flock.
What will you do when these setbacks happen? Quit? Blame the government, imported eggs, or bad luck? Or will you come back stronger?
The answer defines success. Those who quit easily never see profits. In contrast, resilient farmers adapt and rebuild after every challenge.
For instance, Dr. Daniel Masaba, a successful Ugandan layer farmer with 30,000 birds today, once lost 700 birds (Almost half of his flock at the time) in a disease outbreak. Instead of giving up, he rebuilt with improved biosecurity.
Today, his farm thrives because of his resilience.Persistence keeps you moving forward; resilience helps you rise after falling. Together, they keep you in business long enough to see the “crazy profits.”
3.SPIRITUALITY
Surprisingly, spirituality plays a significant role in farming success. Here, spirituality involves two things: Mission and Faith.
Mission:
Why does your farm exist? Is it just for money, or does it serve a bigger purpose?
While earning KES 100,000 a month is a great financial goal, having a purpose beyond money gives you drive even when challenges arise.
It keeps you motivated before the money comes and even after it arrives.
Faith:
Faith is believing in things you cannot yet see.
You already exercise faith daily—when you go to sleep trusting you’ll wake up or travel believing you’ll arrive safely. Likewise, you must believe you can succeed in poultry farming even before it happens.
When faith combines with mission, your farm gains a powerful foundation. You’re not just running a business; you’re pursuing a purposeful calling.
To be a leader, you must first be a good follower.
And being a good follower involves working as a team and following the teams goals and mission.
That lesson applies directly to farming because you’ll interact with many people: employees, customers, suppliers, and even government officers.
Lack of teamwork often creates unnecessary workload, employee turnover, and lost partnerships.
Successful poultry farmers, on the other hand, know how to work well with others and build strong professional relationships.
Here’s a tip I use to promote teamwork: treat everyone as a partner in your business. Listen to them, ask better questions, and encourage collaboration. Even friends can offer valuable insights when you view them as informal consultants. Remember, we always go farther together.
5.ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability is one of the toughest yet most valuable qualities to develop.
It’s different from responsibility.
Responsibility means admitting you made a mistake.
Accountability goes further: learning from that mistake and preventing it from happening again
For example, if feed prices rise, accountability means acknowledging you failed to stock up when prices were low, then creating a plan to buy in bulk next time.
If an employee ignores biosecurity rules and your flock dies, accountability means accepting you hired and trained poorly—then improving your hiring and training process.
Mastering accountability forces you to create systems and solutions that strengthen your farm, ensuring mistakes are not repeated. It’s a powerful habit not just in business but in life.
6.RESOURCEFUL
Being resourceful doesn’t mean having plenty of resources; it means making the most of what you have.
Imagine you need to travel from Nairobi to Mombasa but can’t afford a plane ticket. What do you do? You take a bus. You still reach Mombasa, just in a different way. That’s resourcefulness—finding alternatives when things get tough.
On your layers farm, money may run out, customers may switch suppliers, or markets may slow down. Will you give up, or will you find creative solutions to keep moving forward?
Resourcefulness often awakens your creativity.
You begin to see possibilities where others see dead ends. That ability keeps your farm alive and thriving when others fail.
7.READER
If you’ve reached this part of the blog, congratulations—you’re already a reader!
And that’s an essential quality.
Elon Musk once said he learned how to build rockets by reading two books a day. Similarly, farmers who continuously learn stay ahead of the curve. Reading exposes you to new concepts, tools, and opportunities that others miss.
Even dedicating 10 minutes a day to reading about best poultry farming practices can compound into significant knowledge over time.
With today’s fast-changing agriculture industry, staying informed is crucial to staying competitive.
Start with reliable sources: books, research papers, credible blogs, newsletters, and even worksheets like the ones we offer at Secret Layers.
(If you haven’t already, sign up for our free Layer Starter Kit,weekly poultry tips and tutorials- It’s totally FREE)
Being like DR. STARR—having Desire, Resilience, Spirituality, Teamwork, Accountability, being Resourceful, and becoming a Reader—makes you more than just a farmer.
It positions you as a successful, future-ready poultry entrepreneur.They are the qualities of a successful layer chicken farmer you’ve been looking for – the ‘cheatcode’ for success in the poultry business.
These qualities may seem personal, but they directly influence how you run your farm, how you handle challenges, and how quickly you grow.
Start working on them today. Build the poultry business mindset first, then apply the skills. Combine your character with knowledge and watch your layers farm thrive—regardless of market challenges.
And if you haven’t already:
> 📩 Register below for free for access to Secret Layers resources:
