Secret Layers

Tag: Poultry farming for beginners

  • The Funeral (Part Two)

    If you missed part one read it here before you proceed👇🏿

    The Funeral (Part One)

    August 4th, 2025 — Monday

    “Bye. Have a good day,” Niss said to the pickup driver.

    She wiped her forehead. That was too much work for one day. All she wanted now was rest.

    Just as she reached for her door, she heard a voice behind her.

    “Enye.”

    Enye is a Mijikenda word that means The Owners. It’s used as you would say, Hello. Anyone home?

    Niss sighed. Who is this now? I just need a break.

    “Enye,” she answered back, walking toward the gate.

    It was her friend.

    After ten long minutes of African-style greetings and laughter, her friend finally asked,
    “I saw a pickup. What was it here for?”

    What? Niss wondered. You came all the way here just to ask that?

    Anyway.

    “Those were feeds,” Niss said. “I bought feeds for my birds. They were just delivering them. How are you doing with yours?”

    “Oh, me…” Her friend paused and smiled.

    “You see, I realized that feeds are the most expensive cost on a layer farm.”

    “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?

    START your farm.”

    Then she hung up.

    Yellow day old layer chicks.Definitely still in brooding out on the farm with a spade - a commonly used farm tool/equipment
    It’s heartbreaking seeing your chicks.Whether on day one of arrival or any other time.

    Was that the death of a dream?

    Was it the end?

    Was that the end of their friendship?
    Niss didn’t know.
    But at least she knew she’d told her friend the truth.


    Are you like Niss’s friend?

    You keep planning.
    You keep talking.
    You keep making deals.

    But you never start.

    If that’s you — start now.

    Register below to get this Free Layer Poultry Guide and Regular Layer Chicken digest tips straight to your email.

    Free beginners guide to starting a profitable layer poultry farm. Step by step guide.


    Name
    Limited access. Join other serious farmers who have taken the guide and get support.

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

    secretlayerske@gmail.com

  • Receiving Day Old Chicks – Step By Step Guide

    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, first count 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

    Day old chicks starting their brooding phase.They have everything they need - light,heat for temperature,feed and water.
    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.

    As you get started, I also encourage you to think ahead: how will you add value to your eggs? Check my 6 proven ways to add value to your eggs post.

    Register now for free for the Layer Chicken Digest to get more practical tips and updates via email.

    Name
    Limited access. Join other serious farmers who have taken the guide and get support.

    See you next Friday!

    carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

    secretlayerske@gmail.com