Do you want to sell chicken on Christmas? Stock now

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Christmas is around the corner and one product that sells like a hot cakes is chicken. From bustling urban markets to quiet rural homesteads, chicken is a staple of festive occasions.

However, in cities like Kampala, it is not the indigenous birds that dominate, but broilers and off-layers, reared specifically for the season.

“I stocked 504 birds for Christmas last year and 495 survived. I sold them at 16,000 each on December 22 and got sh7.9m,” Joseph Muwanga, a farmer in Matugga, Wakiso district, says.

His profit after two months of work was about sh1.7m. Muwanga is currently stocking for this year’s season. In major markets in Kampala, such as Kalerwe, Wandegeya, Nakawa and Nateete, thousands of broilers are sold between December 22 and 25.

“We sell an average of 10,000 broilers in this market alone,” John Wasswa, a chicken dealer at Kalerwe, says.

A spot survey estimates that over 60,000 broilers are sold across Kampala’s major markets during the festive season. Other cities like Jinja, Mbarara, Mbale, Gulu and Arua also see increased demand, though not at Kampala’s scale.

Geoffrey Mukama of Koudijs Nutrition BV says most of these broilers are supplied by small-scale farmers with flocks ranging from 300 to 1,000 birds. If you are thinking of cashing in on the Christmas chicken boom, now is the time to stockpile.

Space, equipment needs

Charles Lule, a carpenter, says a 20x20ft room is sufficient for 500 chicks.

• Spacing: 10-14 birds per square metre
• Drinkers: 10-15 (sh15,000- 20,000 each)
• Feeders: 25 (sh10,000 each)
• Brooder setup: Use cardboard or wood, sawdust for warmth and heaters or stoves
• Vaccination is essential, especially against Newcastle disease, before stocking.

Breed, feed quality matter

“The fewer days a broiler spends on the farm, the higher the profit — but only if growth is well-managed,” Dr Geoffrey Mukama, the technical sales manager at Koudijs Animal Nutrition BV, says.

He emphasises:

• Genetics: Choose breeds that reach market weight in four to six weeks, not two to three months.
• Feed quality: Do not compromise. Feed must support organ development, immunity and overall health.

Feed types

• Pre-starter: Boosts organ development and feed efficiency
• Starter: Rich in essential amino acids for early growth
• Finisher: Shifts from protein to energy for final weight gain

“With the right breed and feeding plan, broilers should weigh 1.4-2kg in five to seven weeks,” Mukama adds.

Why you should stock now

“If you stock broilers now and manage them well, they’ll weigh 1.5 to 1.8kg in five to six weeks; just in time for Christmas,” Joseph Muwanga, a farmer in Matugga, says.

At the farm gate, a broiler sells for around sh14,000, while retailers fetch up to sh18,000. If you stock 500 birds and sell at sh15,000, you could earn sh7.5m.

After deducting expenses, that is, feeds (sh4m), water (sh150,000) and other costs, you could walk away with a profit of nearly sh2m.

Experts believe that stocking fewer than 500 birds does provide the right economies of scale to make a profit. Below is the cost breakdown of stocking 500 birds.

• Day-old chick: sh2,500
• 500 chicks: sh1.25m
• Feed per bird: about 4.5kg
• Feed cost: sh2,000/kg
• Total feed needed: about 2,200kg
• Feed cost total: sh4.4m

“Broilers eat a lot in a short time. They won’t reach market weight without a proper feeding plan,” Robert Serwanga, the director of Agrarian Systems and a poultry trainer at the annual Harvest Money Expo, says.

Poultry business timeline: October to Christmas

Week 1–2 (OCT 24–OCT 31):

Planning & preparation

• Decide on flock size (e.g., 300–500 birds)
• Secure capital for chicks, feed, equipment, and utilities Prepare housing: Clean, disinfect, and set up brooder area
• Buy equipment: Feeders, drinkers, brooding heaters/stoves
• Source quality day-old chicks from a reputable hatchery Buy starter feed and brooding materials (sawdust, cardboard)

Goal: Be ready to stock chicks by early November

WeeK 3 (NOV 1–7):

Stocking and brooding

• Receive day-old chicks
• Start brooding: Maintain warmth, monitor temperature Vaccinate chicks (e.g., against Newcastle disease)
• Feed pre-starter feed for organ development and immunity

Goal: Ensure high survival rate and healthy growth

Week 4–5 (NOV 8–21):

Growth phase

• Transition to starter feed
• Monitor health, weight gain, and feed intake
• Ensure clean water and proper sanitation
• Keep records of feed consumption and mortality

Goal: Achieve steady weight gain and low mortality

Week 6–7 (NOV 22–DEC 5):

Finishing phase

• Switch to finisher feed (higher energy content)
• Birds should reach 1.4–2kg by end of week 7
• Begin marketing preparations: Clean packaging area, contact buyers

Goal: Prepare birds for sale and finalise market strategy

Week 8–9 (DEC 6–DEC 20):

Marketing & sales

• Reach out to retailers, market vendors, and direct buyers
• Sort and package birds for sale
• Organise transport to markets or delivery points
• Begin selling by December 20–25, peak demand period

Goal: Maximise sales and profits during the festive rush