Starting a broiler chicken business in Zambia can be a highly profitable venture, but success depends on careful planning, proper bird management, and managing feed costs. Feed prices fluctuate, so understanding the numbers before buying your first batch of day-old chicks is essential.
This step-by-step guide breaks down everything needed to raise healthy broilers in Zambia, from house setup to selling at a profit.
1. Budgeting and Costs (2026 Price Estimates)
To run a successful poultry business, budget for feed, day-old chicks, medicines, heating, and bedding. Feed accounts for roughly 70% of total production costs.
Standard Cost Estimate for 100 Broilers
| Item | Description / Quantity Needed | Estimated Cost (ZMW) |
| Day-Old Chicks (DOCs) | 100 chicks (Ross 308 or Cobb 500) @ ZMW 17–ZMW 20 each | ZMW 1,700 – ZMW2,000 |
| Broiler Starter Feed | 2 bags (50kg) @ K630–ZMW 650 per bag | ZMW 1,260 – ZMW 1,300 |
| Broiler Grower Feed | 3 bags (50kg) @ ZMW 600–Z,W 625 per bag | ZMW 1,800 – ZMW 1,875 |
| Broiler Finisher Feed | 3 to 4 bags (50kg) @ ZMW 580–ZMW 610 per bag | ZMW 1,740 – ZMW 2,440 |
| Vaccines & Medicines | Newcastle, Gumboro, Multivitamins, Stresspack | ZMW 250 – ZMW 400 |
| Bedding & Heating | Wood shavings (sawdust), charcoal/electricity, drinkers | ZMW 300 – ZMW 500 |
| Estimated Total Cost | To raise 100 birds to 6 weeks | ZMW 7,050 – ZMW 8,515 |
Market Note: In 2026, a fully grown live broiler (2.0kg–2.5kg) sells for ZMW 100 to ZMW 150 depending on location (Lusaka, Copperbelt, or rural areas). Selling 95 surviving birds at ZMW 110 gives roughly ZMW 10,450, leaving a net profit of ZMW 1,900 to ZMW 3,400 per batch.
2. Poultry House Design and Preparation
Poor housing causes disease outbreaks and slow growth. Build a clean, secure structure before bringing in chicks.
Broiler House Setup Rules
Orientation
East-to-West
(Blocks sun heat)
Space Ratio
10 Birds per Square Meter
Ventilation
Open sides with wire mesh netting
- East-to-West Facing: Build the house facing East-to-West so direct, hot sunlight doesn’t shine straight into the pen.
- Ventilation: Use wire mesh on the upper walls to allow fresh air flow while keeping wild birds and predators out.
- Floor: A smooth concrete floor is best because it is easy to wash and disinfect with Morigard, V-OX, or Jeyes fluid.
- Bedding: Cover the floor with dry wood shavings (sawdust from non-treated timber) at a depth of 5cm. Do not use fine sand or rice husks, as chicks may eat them and die.
3. The 6-Week Production Cycle
Raising broilers takes 35 to 42 days (5 to 6 weeks). Divided into three phases, each requires specific care.
Weeks 1–2: Brooding Phase
Keep chicks warm using charcoal braziers (mbaula) or heat bulbs. Feed Starter Mash/Pellets and give stress pack vitamins in clean water.
Weeks 3–4: Growth Phase
Remove artificial heat. Transition smoothly to Grower Feed. Expand the floor space as the birds grow rapidly.
Weeks 5–6: Finishing & Marketing
Switch to Finisher Feed for fast weight gain. Target a selling weight of 2.0kg to 2.5kg. Begin marketing to local buyers.
4. Vaccination and Health Management
Diseases like Gumboro or Newcastle can wipe out an entire batch in days. Follow a strict vaccination schedule:
| Day / Age | Disease / Vaccine | Method of Giving |
| Day 1 | Marek’s & Newcastle (at Hatchery) | Administered by supplier (ZamHatch, Hybrid, Tiger, etc.) |
| Day 7 | Gumboro (1st Dose) | Mixed in clean drinking water (add skimmed milk powder to protect vaccine) |
| Day 14 | Newcastle (1st Dose) | Mixed in clean drinking water or eye drops |
| Day 18 | Gumboro (2nd Booster) | Mixed in drinking water |
| Day 24 | Newcastle (2nd Booster) | Mixed in drinking water |
Pro Tip: Never give vaccinated water containing chlorine or tap chemicals. Use borehole water, or let tap water sit uncovered for 24 hours before mixing vaccines.
5. Feeding Schedule and Water Management
Chickens need continuous access to fresh feed and clean water.
- Starter Feed (Day 1 to 14): High protein feed (around 22-23%) to grow strong bones and feathers. Each bird eats roughly 0.5kg to 0.8kg total during this phase.
- Grower Feed (Day 15 to 28): Balanced feed to build meat and frame. Each bird consumes roughly 1.2kg to 1.5kg.
- Finisher Feed (Day 29 to Market): High energy feed to add final weight. Each bird consumes about 1.5kg to 2.0kg.
- Water Consumption: Broilers drink twice as much weight in water as they eat feed. If they lack water for even a few hours, weight gain slows immediately.
6. How to Market and Sell Your Broilers in Zambia
Finding buyers before chicks reach 6 weeks prevents extra feed costs that eat into profits.
- Local Open Markets: Target traders at local markets (e.g., Soweto in Lusaka, Chisokone in Kitwe, or local community markets). They often buy in bulk (20–50 birds).
- Restaurants, Boarding Schools & Hotels: Offer consistent weekly deliveries. They prefer dressed (slaughtered, cleaned, and packaged) chickens.
- Direct Community Sales: Sell directly to households, churches, or workplace colleagues. Live birds sold directly to consumers fetch higher prices than bulk sales to traders.
- Social Media: Advertise batches on Facebook groups (Poultry Farmers Zambia, Lusaka Buying & Selling) 10 days before they mature.
Related Agriculture & Business Resources
- Chicken Feed Prices in Zambia (2026 Price List Guide)– Compare current prices for Novatek, Nutri Feeds, Tiger Feeds, and Namfeeds.
- How to Draft a Business Plan for Agriculture Grants in Zambia – Step-by-step guide on securing financing and bank loans for agribusinesses.
- Also Check out Goat Farming in Zambia
- Livestock Farming in Zambia
Disclaimer: Prices quoted for feed, day-old chicks, and market sale rates reflect average 2026 Zambian market estimates. Actual costs vary by supplier, transportation costs, and town location. Always verify current prices with local stockists before starting a production cycle.