Section 1 of 7

Before Day One -- Preparation

Poultry farming equipment and accessories

Success with broilers starts long before the first chick arrives. The difference between profitable farmers and those who lose money almost always comes down to preparation. This section walks you through everything you need to budget, buy, and build before your 100 day-old chicks arrive.

Budget Overview

The total startup cost for a 100-bird broiler project in Zimbabwe ranges from USD 330 to USD 470, depending on whether you already own basic equipment and whether you hire labour. A detailed breakdown from Shambani College estimates USD 450 all-in. Feed alone accounts for 60--70% of total production cost in any poultry operation.

$330--$470 Total startup cost

60--70% Of cost is feed

~27% Expected ROI

Cost Breakdown

Item	Estimated Cost (USD)
100 day-old chicks (@ $0.80--$0.85 each)	$80--$85
NovaFeed Broiler Starter Crumble (1 x 25 kg bag)	~$33
NovaFeed Broiler Grower Pellet (2 x 25 kg bags)	~$66
NovaFeed Broiler Finisher Pellet (4 x 25 kg bags)	~$124
Bedding / wood shavings (2--3 bags)	$3--$6
Heating (infrared lamp or gas brooder)	$15--$60
Medications & vaccines	$10--$15
Labour (if hired; self-labour is free)	$0--$80
Total	$330--$470

Sources: Shambani College Cost Analysis; Beginner's Guide

Equipment Checklist

Brooder house -- 10 x 10 feet (approximately 100 sq ft) is sufficient for the first two weeks. Must have solid walls, a roof, and be draft-free. (source)

Infrared heat lamp or gas brooder -- Infrared lamps are the most common choice. Gas brooders cost USD 15--60. You need to maintain 32--35 degrees C for the first week. (source)

Thermometer -- Essential for daily temperature monitoring. Place at chick height, not above the birds.

Chick drinkers -- 3 x 4-litre capacity for Week 1, graduating to 2 x 12-litre drinkers from Week 3. (source)

Chick feeders -- 3 hinge-type feed savers recommended. Avoid tray feeders -- they cause overcrowding and stampeding, which increases mortality.

Bedding -- Wood shavings or rice husks, 5--8 cm deep. Never use sawdust -- it can be inhaled and causes respiratory problems.

Disinfectant -- For sanitising floors, equipment, and entrance footbaths before chick arrival. (source)

Housing Setup

The brooder area must be cleaned and disinfected at least 48 hours before chick arrival. Spread fresh bedding (wood shavings -- never sawdust), then pre-heat the brooder to 32--35 degrees C and verify with a thermometer before the chicks arrive.

Do not use sawdust as bedding. Day-old chicks can inhale fine sawdust particles, causing respiratory infections that kill within the first week. Use wood shavings or rice husks instead.

What to Buy from NovaFeed Before Day 1

NovaFeed Broiler Starter Crumble -- 1 bag (25 kg) to cover Days 1--14. Also pick up a stress pack / electrolyte supplement for the first water on arrival and during feed transitions. Confirm Grower and Finisher feed availability for later weeks so you are not caught short.

Think About It

Imagine it is Friday evening. Your 100 day-old chicks arrive Monday morning. What do you need to have ready?

By now, your brooder house should already be clean and disinfected (that 48-hour window). Over the weekend you need to: lay down 5--8 cm of wood shavings, install drinkers and feeders, turn on the heat lamp and confirm the temperature reaches 32--35 degrees C at chick height, have your bag of NovaFeed Broiler Starter Crumble and stress pack ready, and fill drinkers with clean water plus electrolytes on Monday morning before the chicks arrive.

Check Your Understanding

For each statement, decide if it is True or False.

1. You should disinfect the brooder house at least 48 hours before chicks arrive.

2. Sawdust is the best bedding material for day-old chicks.

3. Feed is the largest expense in a broiler project, accounting for about 60--70% of total cost.