Feed is usually one of the largest expenses in broiler production. Because feed represents such a significant part of production cost, farmers need to understand not only what feed to give birds, but also how to monitor feed consumption, reduce wastage, and compare feed usage with growth.

A typical broiler programme moves through different feeding stages as the birds mature. The exact timing and nutrient specification should follow the recommendations of the breed, feed manufacturer, and poultry professional.

Why Feeding Management Matters

Broilers are selected for rapid growth and require appropriately formulated feed throughout the production cycle.

Poor feeding management can result in:

  • Slow growth
  • Uneven flock development
  • Excessive feed wastage
  • Increased production costs
  • Poor feed efficiency
  • Reduced profitability

The objective should be to provide birds with suitable feed while preventing unnecessary waste.

The Three Main Feed Stages

Starter Feed

Starter feed is intended for young chicks. It provides nutrients needed for early development and growth.

Grower Feed

Grower feed is used as birds become larger and their nutritional requirements change.

Finisher Feed

Finisher feed is used during the later production period when birds are approaching their target market weight.

Not every farm uses exactly the same number of days for each stage. The feeding programme should be based on the specific feed formulation and production plan.

Day 1 to Day 7: Starter Stage

During the first week, chicks need reliable access to starter feed.

Feeders should be:

  • Clean
  • Dry
  • Accessible
  • Appropriately positioned

Check feeders frequently because chicks can scatter feed while eating.

Day 8 to Day 14

During the second week, birds are growing rapidly and feed requirements increase as body size increases.

Monitor feed consumption, body weight, uniformity, water availability, feed wastage, and litter condition.

A sudden change in feed consumption should be investigated.

Day 15 to Day 21

During the third week, feed consumption becomes increasingly significant. This is an important stage for comparing feed used with growth achieved.

If growth is below target, investigate possible causes before simply increasing feed.

  • Disease
  • Poor feed quality
  • Heat stress
  • Water problems
  • Poor ventilation
  • Feed wastage
  • Incorrect stocking density

Day 22 to Day 28

Around the fourth week, many production systems transition toward grower or finisher feeding depending on their programme.

This is also a good time to review total feed expenditure.

Starter Cost + Grower Cost + Finisher Cost = Total Feed Cost

Day 29 to Day 35

During this period, birds consume significant amounts of feed. Feed management becomes increasingly important because every kilogram of unnecessary wastage has a financial impact.

Check feeder height and positioning as birds grow.

Day 36 to Day 42

The final stage should be managed according to the farmer's target market weight and production programme.

Farmers should monitor:

  • Current average weight
  • Remaining feed
  • Expected market date
  • Feed cost
  • Buyer demand
  • Mortality
  • Expected revenue

Feed Conversion

Feed conversion is an important performance measure.

FCR = Feed Consumed ÷ Weight Gain

For example, if a group of birds consumes 200 kg of feed and gains 100 kg of live weight:

FCR = 200 ÷ 100 = 2.0

Lower feed required per unit of weight gain generally indicates better feed efficiency, although interpretation should consider breed, age, mortality, environmental conditions, and the specific measurement method.

Reducing Feed Wastage

Maintain Proper Feeder Height

Adjust feeders as birds grow.

Avoid Overfilling

Fill feeders appropriately rather than allowing excessive feed to spill.

Keep Feed Dry

Wet feed can spoil and become contaminated.

Protect Feed From Rodents

Rodents consume feed and can contaminate it.

Store Feed Correctly

Use a dry, clean, secure, and well-ventilated storage area.

Feed Storage

Feed should be stored away from rain, direct moisture, rodents, insects, and contaminated materials.

Bags should be arranged so that the storage area can be inspected and cleaned properly.

Water and Feed Consumption

Water and feed consumption are closely connected. If birds suddenly reduce water consumption, feed intake may also be affected.

Water systems should be checked for:

  • Blocked drinkers
  • Leaks
  • Poor pressure
  • Contamination
  • Empty tanks

Creating a Feed Budget

Before starting a batch, estimate feed requirements.

Feed Stage Bags Planned Price/Bag Estimated Cost
Starter 4 ₦20,000 ₦80,000
Grower 3 ₦20,000 ₦60,000
Finisher 5 ₦20,000 ₦100,000
Total 12 — ₦240,000

These figures are only an example. Actual requirements depend on bird number, breed, feed formulation, management, and target weight.

Monitoring Feed Stock

A farm should know how much feed remains at any time.

Closing Stock = Opening Stock + Purchases − Feed Used

Keeping this information accurately helps prevent unexpected shortages.

Feed Cost Per Bird

Feed cost per bird can be calculated as:

Total Feed Cost ÷ Number of Birds

The denominator should be selected consistently according to the performance measure being evaluated.

Feed and Profit

High feed consumption does not automatically mean high profit.

Suppose two farms both produce 100 broilers. One farm may use less feed but produce smaller birds, while another uses more feed but produces heavier birds that command a better selling price.

The better business result depends on the relationship between feed cost, growth, mortality, selling price, and other production costs.

Common Feeding Mistakes

  1. Buying feed without a stock plan.
  2. Allowing feeders to become empty for long periods.
  3. Excessive feed wastage.
  4. Storing feed in damp conditions.
  5. Ignoring sudden changes in feed consumption.
  6. Using inappropriate feed formulations.
  7. Failing to record feed purchases.
  8. Failing to record feed usage.
  9. Keeping birds longer without calculating the additional cost.

Final Thoughts

Successful broiler feeding is about more than providing enough feed. Farmers need to monitor feed quality, quantity, wastage, storage, bird growth, and feed cost.

A properly maintained feeding schedule makes it easier to determine when starter, grower, and finisher feeds should be used and how much feed remains in stock.

Accurate records allow the farmer to compare feed consumption with growth and determine whether the feeding programme is supporting a profitable production cycle.