1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Broiler chickens: from your first 100 chicks to your first batch sold

Raise broiler chickens in small batches and sell them live to your community. This guide covers real 2026 South African chick, feed and live-bird prices, feed needs from official production guides, the slaughter rules under the Meat Safety Act, municipal permits, biosecurity and a worked example for a batch of 100 birds.

  • 24 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 2 hours in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • You have a yard where poultry is allowed, with water and power or gas backup.
  • You can check birds several times a day for six weeks.
  • You know people who buy live chickens.

Think twice if

  • Your municipality or landlord doesn't allow poultry on your property.
  • You can't be home to check chicks often in the first three weeks.
  • You plan to slaughter and sell dressed birds without a registered abattoir.

Honest expectations

  • The first batch takes about six weeks from day-old chicks to sale, plus time to set up housing.
  • Live birds sell for about R80 to R120 each in published 2026 figures, and chicks cost about R11 to R13.50 each in boxes of 100.
  • Feed is the biggest cost. Deaths, cold nights and slow buyers can wipe out a small batch's profit.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How small-scale broiler farming worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Set up step by step: ready for your first chicks6 min (in the full guide)
    3. Prices and costs: real 2026 figures5 min (in the full guide)
    4. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Check your by-law and prepare the house3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Book chicks and buy starter feed3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first buyers: before the chicks arrive5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Your 14-day getting-ready playbook6 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Keep chicks warm and check them often3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Record feed, deaths and weights3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Confirm buyers for sale day3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Common mistakes with a first broiler batch4 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Clean out, rest and restart3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Compare batches and adjust3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Free guides to fill your skill gaps4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Tax: what to put aside, with worked examples6 min (in the full guide)
    7. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

ItemCostNote
Backyard setup for about 100 birds: housing, brooder, drinkers, feeders, chicks, feed, litter (Okhantu 2026 estimate)R8 000 to R16 000An estimate from one source. Get three local quotes before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 26 April 2027.