For most poultry farmers in Kenya, chicken feed is the biggest cost of production, often consuming 60–70% of the total budget. Many farmers struggle to make profits because commercial feeds are expensive.

Fortunately, farmers can reduce feed costs by mixing their own poultry feed using locally available ingredients such as maize, wheat pollard, sunflower cake, and fishmeal.

This guide provides a simple step-by-step Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for making affordable, nutritionally balanced homemade chicken feed suitable for layers, broilers, and kienyeji chickens.

Materials and Equipment Needed

Basic equipment required includes:

• Large mixing basin or plastic sheet
• Weighing scale
• Buckets or containers
• Shovel or spade for mixing
• Storage bags or airtight containers

Good mixing is very important to ensure all nutrients are evenly distributed.

Common Poultry Feed Ingredients in Kenya

Most homemade feeds use a combination of the following ingredients.

These ingredients are widely available in agrovet stores and local markets across Kenya.

Example Cheap Feed Formula (Layers)

Below is a 100 kg feed formula that many small farmers use.

This formula provides balanced nutrients for egg-laying chickens.

Step-by-Step SOP for Mixing Homemade Chicken Feed

Step 1: Purchase Quality Ingredients

Always buy fresh and dry ingredients from reputable suppliers.

Avoid:

• Moldy maize
• Damp pollard
• Spoiled fishmeal

Poor ingredients can cause disease and poor productivity.

Step 2: Measure Ingredients Accurately

Use a weighing scale to measure each ingredient precisely.

Example for 100 kg feed:

• 60 kg maize
• 20 kg wheat pollard
• 10 kg sunflower cake
• 5 kg fishmeal
• 4 kg lime
• 1 kg premix

Accurate measurements ensure balanced nutrition.

Step 3: Grind Ingredients (If Necessary)

Large grains should be milled or crushed.

Grinding improves:

• digestion
• feed intake
• nutrient absorption

Many farmers use local posho mills for this step.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients First

Spread maize, pollard, sunflower cake and fishmeal on a clean plastic sheet or mixing basin.

Mix thoroughly using a shovel.

Proper mixing prevents uneven feeding where some chickens get more nutrients than others.

Step 5: Add Minerals and Premix

Add the lime, salt and vitamin premix last.

Mix again thoroughly.

This ensures vitamins and minerals are evenly distributed.

Step 6: Mix Several Times

For best results:

• Mix the feed 3–4 times
• Turn the mixture from different directions

This guarantees uniform feed quality.

Step 7: Store Properly

Place the feed in:

• Clean bags
• Airtight containers
• Raised pallets

Store in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.

Avoid moisture because it causes mold and toxins.

Important Tips for Lowering Feed Costs

Farmers can reduce feed costs further by adding small amounts of locally available supplements.

Examples include:

• Azolla
• Termites
• Black soldier fly larvae
• Sweet potato vines
• Amaranth leaves

These supplements provide extra nutrients at very low cost.

Daily Feed Consumption Guide

Approximate feed intake per chicken:

Monitoring feed consumption helps farmers control costs and prevent wastage.

Example Cost Comparison

Typical cost of commercial layers mash:

• KSh 4,500 – 5,200 per 70 kg bag

Cost of homemade feed:

• KSh 3,200 – 3,800 per 70 kg

Savings per bag: KSh 1,200 – 1,500

For a farmer with 100 chickens, this can save over KSh 15,000 per month.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using moldy ingredients
2. Poor mixing
3. Incorrect ingredient ratios
4. Storing feed in damp places
5. Using too much salt or premix

Avoiding these mistakes ensures healthy chickens and good egg production.

Final Thoughts

Making your own poultry feed is one of the most effective ways to increase profits in poultry farming.

With proper ingredient selection and mixing, farmers can:

• Reduce feed costs
• Improve chicken health
• Increase egg production
• Boost farm profits

For many Kenyan farmers, homemade feed is the key to sustainable and profitable poultry farming.