Farming and growing

Raising broiler chickens to sell

Raise batches of broiler chicks for about six weeks and sell them live or dressed to households, spazas, caterers and street cooks.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

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Is this for you?

Best for

Hard-working people with a safe shed, daily time and some savings for chicks and feed.

In South Africa: Strong in rural areas, townships and towns.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 8 hours a week · age 18+
  • Practical/hands-on work (learning or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R65 to R75 per live bird (retail)

A supplier lists live birds from R49.45 wholesale and about R65 to R75 retail (Grospace). We do not model monthly income because losses and feed vary.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R3 000 to R20 000
Every month
Day-old chicks, starter and grower feed, heating, vaccines, bedding.
Payment fees
Cash or QR.
Margin
Thin: losses and feed decide whether you make money.

How it is paid: Price per bird, live or dressed. Our viability score for it: 63 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Cost one batch of 50: chicks, feed, heating, vaccines
    • Collect pre-orders for at least half the batch
    • Success signal: a batch sold within a week of being ready

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Check by-laws and prepare a dry, warm shed
    • Get quotes for chicks and feed
    • Take pre-orders from neighbours and a caterer

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Raise your first small batch and record deaths, feed and weights
    • Keep a feed and weight record for every batch
    • Line up buyers before the birds are ready

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Work out your profit per bird
    • Time batches for month-end and holidays

A batch takes about five to six weeks. First income usually takes 35 to 60 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

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

24 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Households, spazas, caterers, kota and braai sellers.

Fresh chicken at a fair price.

Is there demand?

A 2026 SA guide puts day-old broiler chicks at about R8 to R12 each (Okhantu), and a supplier lists live birds from R49.45 wholesale, with retail live birds about R65 to R75 (Grospace). Feed is most of the cost.

Live birds sold at month-endSupplying caterers and braai standsDressed birds for households

Getting customers

Pre-orders on WhatsApp before each batch is ready.

Word of mouth and referralsPartnerships with other businessesDirect messages

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Chick deaths in cold weather: keep them warm and dry
  • Feed price rises
  • Birds unsold at six weeks keep eating: take pre-orders

Competition: Moderate.

Room to grow: Grows with bigger batches once sales are steady.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Many municipalities limit how many chickens you may keep in a residential area and ban roosters; check your by-laws first.
  • Keep birds clean and vaccinated, and never sell sick birds.
  • Slaughtering for sale is regulated; selling live birds is simpler.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start raising broiler chickens to sell in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R3 000 to R20 000. Recurring costs: Day-old chicks, starter and grower feed, heating, vaccines, bedding.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 45 days, and between 35 and 60 days. A batch takes about five to six weeks.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Many municipalities limit how many chickens you may keep in a residential area and ban roosters; check your by-laws first. Keep birds clean and vaccinated, and never sell sick birds. Slaughtering for sale is regulated; selling live birds is simpler. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (4)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy