Poultry farming is a profitable venture, but feed costs often account for 60-70% of total production expenses. With rising prices of commercial feeds, farmers must find sustainable ways to reduce feed costs without compromising the health and productivity of their chickens.
This guide explores practical strategies to minimize feed expenses while maintaining optimal growth, egg production, and overall flock health.
Table of Contents
1. Optimize Feed Formulation
A. Use Locally Available Feed Ingredients
Commercial feeds are expensive due to processing and transportation costs. Farmers can reduce expenses by formulating their own feeds using locally available ingredients such as:
- Maize, sorghum, or millet (energy sources)
- Soybean meal, sunflower cake, or groundnut cake (protein sources)
- Wheat bran or rice bran (fiber sources)
- Fishmeal or termites (for protein boost)
Benefits:
✔ Lower cost per kilogram of feed
✔ Flexibility in adjusting nutrients based on chicken age and purpose (layers vs. broilers)
B. Balance Nutrients Properly
Chickens require a balanced diet with the right proportions of:
- Proteins (18-22% for broilers, 16-18% for layers)
- Carbohydrates (maize, sorghum)
- Vitamins & Minerals (calcium for eggshells, phosphorus for growth)
Tip: Consult a poultry nutritionist to formulate cost-effective, balanced rations.
2. Improve Feed Efficiency
A. Use Feed Additives
Certain additives enhance digestion and nutrient absorption, reducing the amount of feed needed:
- Enzymes (phytase, xylanase) – Improve digestion of plant-based feeds.
- Probiotics & Prebiotics – Boost gut health and feed conversion ratio (FCR).
- Organic acids – Reduce harmful bacteria, improving nutrient uptake.
B. Ferment Feed
Fermentation breaks down anti-nutrients, making proteins and minerals more digestible.
How to ferment feed:
- Mix feed with water (1:1.5 ratio).
- Add yeast or probiotics.
- Ferment for 24-48 hours before feeding.
Benefits:
✔ Increases nutrient absorption
✔ Reduces feed wastage
3. Reduce Feed Wastage
A. Use Proper Feeders
- Automatic feeders regulate portion sizes.
- Trough feeders should be filled only 1/3 full to prevent spillage.
- Raised feeders keep feed clean and reduce contamination.
B. Control Rodents & Pests
Rats and wild birds can steal up to 20% of feed.
- Use traps or rodent-proof housing.
- Store feed in metal bins.
C. Avoid Overfeeding
- Layers: Provide 110-120g/bird/day to prevent obesity.
- Broilers: Feed ad libitum (free access).
4. Alternative Feed Sources
A. Grow Your Own Fodder
Hydroponic fodder (sprouted grains) provides cheap, nutritious greens:
- Barley, maize, or wheat sprouts (ready in 7 days).
- High in protein, vitamins, and enzymes.
B. Use Kitchen & Farm Waste
- Vegetable scraps (cabbage, spinach, pumpkin).
- Fruit peels (banana, papaya).
- Leftover grains & bread (ensure no mold).
Caution: Avoid toxic foods (avocado, chocolate, raw potatoes).
C. Incorporate Insects & Worms
- Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) – 42% protein, easy to farm.
- Earthworms & mealworms – High-protein supplements.
How to farm BSFL:
- Collect food waste (vegetables, grains).
- Add larvae; they self-harvest in 2 weeks.
5. Improve Grazing & Free-Range Systems
A. Pasture-Raised Chickens
- Allow chickens to forage for grass, insects, and seeds.
- Reduces feed costs by 20-30%.
B. Rotational Grazing
- Move chickens to fresh pasture weekly.
- Prevents overgrazing and parasite buildup.
6. Health Management for Better Feed Utilization
A. Vaccinate & Deworm Regularly
- Sick chickens waste feed due to poor digestion.
- Follow a vaccination schedule (Newcastle, Gumboro).
B. Prevent Diseases
- Clean waterers daily to avoid bacterial growth.
- Proper ventilation reduces respiratory diseases.
7. Monitor & Adjust Feeding Practices
A. Track Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
- Broilers: Ideal FCR = 1.5-1.8 (1.5kg feed to produce 1kg weight gain).
- Layers: Monitor egg production vs. feed intake.
B. Phase Feeding
Adjust feed composition based on growth stages:
- Starter (0-4 weeks) – High protein (20-22%).
- Grower (5-8 weeks) – Moderate protein (18-20%).
- Finisher (9+ weeks) – Lower protein (16-18%).
Here are 10 frequently asked questions on how to reduce feed costs for chicken farming, complete with detailed answers.
1. What is the single most effective way to reduce my chicken feed costs?
Answer: The most effective strategy is preventing feed waste. It’s often easier and cheaper to save feed you’re already paying for than to buy cheaper ingredients. Key actions include:
- Using properly designed feeders that prevent scratching and spillage.
- Filling feeders only 2/3 full to minimize birds from throwing feed out.
- Ensuring feeder height is at the level of the birds’ backs so they can eat comfortably without wasting it.
- Storing feed properly in a cool, dry, and rodent-proof area to prevent spoilage and loss.
2. Can I formulate my own chicken feed to save money?
Answer: Yes, but it requires careful planning and knowledge. Homemade feed rations can be cheaper, especially if you can source local ingredients. However, you must:
- Consult a poultry nutritionist or use reliable software to ensure the mix meets all the protein, energy, vitamin, and mineral requirements for your birds’ age and purpose (layers vs. broilers).
- Invest in a good grinder and mixer to create a consistent blend.
- Calculate the true cost of all ingredients, including your time and equipment, to ensure it’s actually cheaper than commercial feed.
3. Are “alternative” feed ingredients a good idea? What are some examples?
Answer: Yes, incorporating alternative ingredients can significantly cut costs. These are often locally available and underutilized. Examples include:
- Insects: Black soldier fly larvae are an excellent, high-protein source.
- Food Scraps/Kitchen Waste: Ensure they are safe (no mold, salt, or avocado) and are used as a supplement, not the main diet.
- Farm-Grown Crops: Sunflower seeds, pumpkins, squash, and leafy greens.
- Agricultural By-products: Wheat bran, rice bran, or spent grains from breweries.
4. How does the choice of chicken breed affect feed costs?
Answer: The breed has a massive impact. For meat birds, fast-growing Cornish Cross breeds are efficient but require high-protein feed. For layers, heritage breeds may eat less but also lay fewer eggs. The most cost-effective choice is often a hybrid breed known for high feed conversion efficiency—meaning they produce more meat or eggs per pound of feed consumed.
5. Is free-ranging my chickens a reliable way to cut feed costs?
Answer: It can be a valuable supplement, but it’s not a complete replacement. Free-ranging allows chickens to forage for insects, plants, and seeds, which can reduce your purchased feed by 5-20%. However, it depends on the quality of your pasture, the season, and flock size. You will still need to provide a complete feed to ensure they get all necessary nutrients, especially for layers who need precise calcium levels for strong shells.
6. Does feed particle size matter for cost and efficiency?
Answer: Absolutely. Feed that is ground too finely is dusty, unpalatable, and can be wasted. Feed that is too coarse may allow birds to pick out their favorite “crumbs” and leave the rest, leading to an unbalanced diet. A medium-sized crumble or mash is ideal as it encourages consumption of the entire ration and improves digestibility.
7. How can proper health management reduce my feed bill?
Answer: Healthy birds utilize feed more efficiently. Sick or stressed birds have poor Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR)—they eat but don’t gain weight or produce eggs effectively.
- Parasite Control: A bird infested with worms is essentially feeding the worms, not itself.
- Vaccination & Biosecurity: Preventing disease outbreaks avoids periods where birds stop eating or using nutrients effectively.
- Low-Stress Environment: Overcrowding, heat, or cold stress increases maintenance energy needs, wasting feed that could go toward production.
8. Should I consider fermenting my chicken feed?
Answer: Fermented feed is a popular and effective method. Soaking feed in water for a few days encourages beneficial bacteria to pre-digest it.
- Benefits: It increases vitamin B and K levels, improves gut health, and makes the feed easier to digest. Many farmers report their flocks eat less because the feed is more nutrient-dense and satisfying.
- Consideration: It requires daily management to prevent harmful mold and spoilage.
9. How does water availability relate to feed cost savings?
Answer: Water is critical to feed utilization. A chicken that doesn’t have constant access to clean, fresh water will eat less feed. Even short periods of dehydration can significantly reduce growth and egg production, meaning the feed they did eat was wasted. Automatic nipple drinkers are excellent for providing clean water with minimal waste and labor.
10. Is it worth paying more for high-quality, nutrient-dense feed?
Answer: In most cases, yes. Cheaper, low-quality feed is often filled with “fillers” like excess fiber that chickens cannot digest well. They end up eating more of it to meet their nutritional needs. A more expensive, high-quality feed with better digestibility and a balanced amino acid profile often results in a better Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), meaning you buy less feed overall for the same level of production. Always calculate the cost per unit of production (cost per dozen eggs or cost per pound of weight gain), not just the cost per bag.