We’ve already looked at the key differences between layers and broilers. (If you missed that post, find it here.
Both can be profitable, but in this post I’ll share why I chose layers over broilers — and why you should too.
Many farmers rush into broiler farming because it looks easier. But easy doesn’t always mean better. Let’s break down the reasons why layers often win in the layers vs broilers debate.
In the layers vs broilers debate,choose layers.Below are the 6 reasons why I did and so should you.
1. MARKET
The egg market is stronger than broiler meat.
Fewer farmers keep layers compared to broilers, which means fewer eggs in the market. According to the law of supply and demand, low supply increases demand — and that’s good for you.
Eggs enjoy consistent demand year-round. Broiler meat, on the other hand, has peak seasons like Christmas or when there’s an influx of tourists.
With eggs, you don’t have to wait for festivals to sell your product.
2. STARTUP COSTS
Layer farming isn’t easy to start. It requires more money, more time, better information, and more skill compared to broilers.
That may sound like a disadvantage, but it’s actually an opportunity. Real entrepreneurship is about turning challenges into profits. The harder the problem, the higher the potential reward.
Because it’s tough, most people avoid it. Less competition means you can dominate the market once you succeed. Remember Mike, who left broiler farming due to stiff competition and is now thriving with layers? That’s proof of how the challenge can turn into profit.
3. RETURNS
Layers give a higher return on investment (ROI) compared to broilers.
Many broiler farmers have to replace flock after flock because the profit margins per batch are very low. It takes several cycles to see meaningful returns.
With layers, one hen can produce about 300 eggs in a year. That equals 10 trays. If one tray sells at Ksh.350 (minimum), you earn Ksh.3,500 from a single hen.
Now compare that with broilers. One broiler sells for about Ksh.500 at best. You can already see the gap.
Even better, at the end of the laying cycle you can still sell the birds as spent hens. For example, if you bought a day old chick at Ksh.150 and sold it at Ksh.400 after two years, you never really make a loss.
*Excluding all other costs like feeds e.t.c
4. CASHFLOW
Layers provide stable, predictable cashflow.
Keeping broilers is like buying a chick at Ksh.100 and selling it six weeks later for Ksh.500. That sounds fine, but you must repeat the cycle every 1.5 months to keep earning.
Layers are different. Once they start laying at around 18 weeks, you collect eggs daily for up to 1.5–2 years. That’s consistent income with the effort front-loaded at the start.
Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, says real investors invest for cashflow, not just capital gains. Layers farming is exactly that — cashflow farming.
5. VALUE ADDITION
Eggs give you more value-addition options than chicken meat.
Check market prices:
How much does 1kg of packaged chicken meat sell for?
And how much does 1 litre of packaged liquid eggs sell for?
Way,way higher.
For example, just one tray of eggs can be turned into products worth Ksh.1,750 through value addition. Eggs can be processed into liquid, powder, or used for baking.
Chicken meat also has processing options, but the percentage increase in value is much higher for eggs.
6. PRICES
Eggs generally command better unit value compared to broiler meat.
Think about this:
One broiler chicken raised for nearly two months sells for Ksh.500. That’s almost the same price as 1.5 trays of eggs, which you can easily get in a single day if you keep 50 layers.
That’s the power of layers in the layers vs broilers comparison.
Now you’ve seen the clear advantages of choosing layers over broilers: stronger market demand, higher ROI, stable cashflow, better value addition opportunities, and stronger unit prices.
For me, the biggest reason is cashflow. Keeping layers feels like buying a money-printing machine. From 18 weeks until almost 2 years later, you earn consistently before finally selling the birds.
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“6 SIMPLE STEPS TO START A PROFITABLE LAYER POULTRY FARM”
You’ve decided to go into poultry farming, but now you’re stuck between layers and broilers, unsure of their differences.
You don’t want to invest your hard-earned money blindly and fail because of limited information. That would be costly ignorance. The choice you make—whether to keep layers or broilers—will influence your time involvement, the costs you incur to start and manage your poultry farm, your profitability, and ultimately your happiness as a farmer.
This guide aims to remove confusion by explaining 10 key differences between layers and broilers and adding a profitability score for both. Make the right choice for your poultry farm.
Layer vs broiler chicken side by side – see the physical differences clearly.
What Are Layer Chickens vs Broiler Chickens? Before diving into differences, let’s define these two types of poultry. Broilers – Chickens bred and raised primarily for meat production. Layers – Chickens kept mainly for egg production.
Here’s a quick Layers vs Broilers comparison.More details below:
Feature
Layers
Broilers
Main Purpose
Eggs
Meat
Startup Costs
Higher
Lower
Time to harvest
Start laying at 18 weeks
Ready for sale 6-9 weeks
Market Stability
Stable demand
Demand fluctuates
Housing System
Battery cage or deep litter
Mostly deep litter
Vaccine Schedule
Longer
Shorter
Spacing
Bigger(2-3sq ft/bird)
Smaller(1-2 sq ft/bird)
Feeds
Starter Grower Layer
Starter Finisher
Profit Type
Daily income Continuous
Quick One time batch
Management Level
More skilled Long term
Easier Short term
Lighting
Less 14-18 hrs
More 24 hrs
Profitability Score
8.3
7.5 (Check below for how it was compiled)
(Layers vs broilers differences table) With that in mind, here are the 10 key differences in details. 1. Startup Costs Startup costs for layers are significantly higher compared to broilers.
This is because layers require more housing space, higher-priced chicks, a longer vaccination program, and more feed in their early months. For example, in Kenya in 2025, starting with 100 broilers costs approximately KSh 100,000, whereas 100 layers could cost upwards of KSh 300,000.
These figures are estimates and can vary based on region, type of housing, and market fluctuations. (Tip: I’ll soon publish a full, accurate cost breakdown for starting a layer poultry farm.)
2. Time Commitment Layers require more time and commitment than broilers.
While broilers are typically raised for a short period—6 to 9 weeks before slaughter—layers stay on the farm for up to 2 years as long as they remain productive. Because layers stay longer, they need continuous care, including vaccination follow-ups, debeaking, egg collection, and regular health monitoring.
Broilers, on the other hand, have a shorter but more intensive cycle, allowing you to free up your time after each batch. 3. Market Dynamics The market for eggs is generally more stable than for broiler meat.
In Kenya, there are significantly more broiler farmers than layer farmers, which means meat supply often outpaces demand. This can lead to price drops during peak seasons. Eggs, however, have a steady demand from institutions, hotels, retail shops, and households.
Even better,layers give you more time to plan because they start laying at about 18 weeks (4.5 months), whereas broilers must be sold within 6 weeks. That short sales window for broilers means you should find your market before buying your chicks. 4. Housing Systems Layers can be raised in both battery cages and deep litter systems, providing flexibility depending on your budget and management style. Broilers, however, are mostly raised on deep litter systems only. Imagine broilers in cages—uncommon and impractical due to their rapid growth and space requirements. If you want options for expansion or automation, layers offer more choices.
Get detailed guides on layer chicken here 5. Vaccination Programs Because layers live longer, their vaccination schedule is more extensive.
Vaccines for layers typically include Marek’s, Newcastle, Infectious Bronchitis, Gumboro, Fowl Pox, and periodic deworming. Broilers, on the other hand, have shorter lifespans and need fewer vaccines—mainly Marek’s, Newcastle, and Infectious Bronchitis.
This makes broilers easier and cheaper to manage from a health perspective, especially for beginners. 6. Space Requirements Layers need more space per bird compared to broilers.
They are active, long-lived, and require at least 2–3 square feet per bird. Broilers, by comparison, only need about 1–2 square feet per bird. This difference directly affects your housing investment. A larger poultry house for layers means higher construction costs upfront. If your available space is limited, broilers might be easier to start with. 7. Feed and Nutrition Feeding layers is more expensive in the long run because they go through multiple feed stages—starter, growers mash, and layers mash.
Additionally, their feed must be rich in calcium and other minerals to support eggshell production, while protein levels stay moderate (16–18%). Broilers only need starter and finisher feeds, formulated with high protein levels (around 23%) to promote fast muscle growth. Because their cycle is short, their total feed cost per cycle is often lower, making broilers appealing for quick-turnaround ventures.
Find more details on broilers best practices here 8. Profitability Potential Both layers and broilers can be profitable, but the pattern of profitability differs.
Broilers deliver quick, one-time profits per batch, ideal if you want fast cash flow.
Layers, however, offer stable long-term income through daily egg sales once production starts. Layers often have a higher profit margin because you buy birds once and earn from them continuously for about 22 months.
Broilers require you to restock every 6 weeks, which can be labor-intensive but gives multiple opportunities to adjust market strategy. 9. Management Skills Required Managing layers is more demanding than managing broilers.
Layers need specialized skills, including handling vaccinations, debeaking, egg collection, and monitoring productivity over a long period. However, once your layers are established, you don’t need to buy new birds for almost two years. Broilers are simpler in terms of management but require high attention during their short growth period. They need constant monitoring for weight gain, proper feeding, and quick marketing decisions. 10. Lighting Requirements Lighting needs also differ significantly. Layers require controlled lighting, typically 14–18 hours daily, to maintain egg production. Broilers, however, need near-constant lighting (24 hours) to encourage continuous feeding and rapid weight gain. This difference impacts your power costs and infrastructure decisions.
ProfitabilityScore
Criteria
Layers (Score 1-10)
Broilers (Score 1-10)
Startup Costs
6 (Higher but worth it)
8 (Lower)
Time to returns
7 (Slower)
9 (Fast)
Profit Stability
10 (Very stable)
6 (Seasonal
Market Demand
10 (Strong & Steady)
7 (Fluctuating)
Management Complexity
7 (Challenging but rewarding
8 (Simpler)
Long Term Profit
10 (Excellent)
7 (Moderate)
Average Score
8.3
7.5
(Layers vs broilers differences in profitability)
Layers have it🥳
If you’ve already decided it’s layers, I have a step by step guide on how to start your layer chicken farm the right way here
And to start you off,
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Which Option Carries More Risk? Risk depends on your resources and experience.
Layers require more startup capital, long-term commitment, and skilled management, but they also provide steady income after maturity. You won’t see returns until after 4.5 months when they start laying, so patience is necessary. Broilers carry a different risk. Their short cycle means that if you fail to secure a market quickly, your birds continue eating expensive feed while gaining weight beyond market standards.
Unfortunately, most buyers won’t pay extra for heavier birds, leaving you with slimmer profit margins—or even losses.
Which Should You Choose? The decision between broilers and layers depends entirely on your goals.
If you prefer long-term, stable income and are willing to invest more time and capital upfront, layers are ideal. If you want quick turnover and have a reliable meat market, broilers may suit you better. Think about your financial resources, available space, time commitment, skill level, and long-term vision. Choose what aligns with your goals, even imagining what you’d be comfortable managing for the next decade—eggs or meat? Common Questions Beginner Farmers Ask 1. Can you keep both layers and broilers together? Yes, you can keep both on the same farm, but never in the same house. Maintain two separate poultry houses at a safe distance to prevent disease transmission. 2. Layers vs broilers—Which is Better? There’s no universal answer. The better choice is the one that matches your current financial position, skill level, and business goal. Carefully weigh startup costs, time involvement, and market potential before deciding. 3. Which is best for small farms? For small farms with limited capital, broilers are often the better starting point because of lower upfront costs and faster returns. Finally, The layers vs broilers differences go beyond just eggs versus meat. They influence your time, money, and long-term profitability. Understand your goals clearly and then choose the option that matches your situation. If you want to explore layers further, check out for my upcoming detailed guide on the cost of starting a layer poultry farm. It will include cost by cost breakdown and projected revenue and profits.
