Broilers grow well when feed, water, brooding, health and the environment work together. Buying an expensive ration will not correct cold chicks, dirty water, heat stress, disease, overcrowding or feed wastage.
This guide explains how Nigerian broiler farmers can choose feed, change feeding phases, measure growth, calculate feed conversion ratio and investigate birds that are eating without gaining enough weight.
Record feed issued, mortality and sample weights every week. Compare the flock with the target supplied for the exact strain, but treat breeder figures as objectives under defined conditions—not guaranteed farm results.
How feed supports broiler growth
A complete broiler feed supplies energy, amino acids, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients in the right balance. Energy supports maintenance and growth. Amino acids from dietary protein help build muscle and other tissues. Calcium and available phosphorus support bones. Vitamins and trace minerals support metabolism, immunity and normal development.
More protein does not automatically mean faster or more profitable growth. A ration can have a high crude-protein figure and still perform poorly if its amino-acid balance, energy level, ingredient quality, processing or digestibility is wrong. Excess nutrients also increase cost and waste.
Starter, grower and finisher feed
Commercial programmes commonly use two or three phases. The exact changeover ages and specifications vary by strain, feed manufacturer, market target and local conditions.
| Feed phase | Main purpose | What the farmer should watch |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Early organ, skeletal, feather and immune development | Feed access, crop fill, crumb quality, water intake and seven-day weight |
| Grower | Supports the main period of frame and muscle growth where a grower phase is used | Weekly weight, flock uniformity, feeder space, litter condition and feed wastage |
| Finisher | Supports efficient gain toward the farm’s sale weight | FCR, cost per kilogram gained, mortality, market timing and withdrawal requirements |
Do not change feed only because a calendar says the birds have reached a certain day. Check the supplier’s programme, the birds’ average weight, flock condition and your market plan. When changing rations, avoid leaving feeders empty for long periods. A short, orderly transition can reduce disruption, but farmers should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the feeds being used.
For detailed early-stage management, read the Broiler Starter Feed Guide.
Choose feed by evidence, not by the bag design
- Buy from a traceable manufacturer or feed mill.
- Check the feed name, production date, batch number and intended bird stage.
- Reject mouldy, wet, caked, rancid or insect-infested feed.
- Store bags on pallets, away from walls, rain, rodents and direct sunlight.
- Use older sound stock first and keep an inventory record.
- Compare performance by weight gain, mortality, FCR and cost per kilogram gained—not bag price alone.
A cheaper bag can become expensive if birds need more feed to gain the same weight. A costly feed is not automatically better either. Test performance with accurate records.
Feed form matters
Young chicks usually handle a good-quality crumble more easily than large pellets. As birds grow, an appropriate pellet can reduce sorting and support efficient intake. Mash can work, but particle size must be reasonably uniform. Too much fine powder may reduce intake and increase wastage; very coarse or separated material can allow birds to select ingredients.
Feeders should be clean, correctly adjusted and numerous enough for birds to eat without excessive crowding. Do not overfill open feeders. Raising the feeder to an appropriate height as birds grow can reduce scratching and spillage.
Water drives feed intake
Water is part of the feeding programme. Birds reduce feed intake when water is unavailable, too warm, dirty or difficult to reach. Check drinker flow, height and distribution every day. Flush lines when needed and respond quickly to sudden changes in water consumption.
During hot Nigerian weather, birds may drink more and eat less. Improve ventilation, provide cool clean water, avoid unnecessary handling during the hottest hours and follow the practical steps in the heat-stress prevention guide.
How to measure broiler growth
- Weigh an empty crate or container.
- Select birds from different parts of the house, not only the biggest birds near the entrance.
- Weigh the same day and roughly the same time each week.
- Subtract the container weight and divide the total bird weight by the number weighed.
- Record the average, the lightest and heaviest birds, mortality and feed issued.
Average live weight = total weight of sampled birds ÷ number of birds sampled.
The average alone can hide a flock-uniformity problem. A flock containing many small birds and a few heavy birds may produce an acceptable average while creating marketing and management difficulties.
Calculate feed conversion ratio
Feed conversion ratio shows how much feed the flock used for each unit of live-weight gain.
FCR = feed consumed ÷ live-weight gain.
Example: if a flock consumes 400 kg of feed and produces 220 kg of live-weight gain, its FCR is 1.82. The calculation must use feed actually consumed, not merely feed purchased. Account for stock remaining, spills, wet feed and feed removed from the house.
Use the Poultry Feed Calculator to estimate feed requirements. Then use the FCR guide and calculator to evaluate feed efficiency.
Why broilers eat but fail to grow
When intake appears high but weight gain is poor, investigate the whole production system:
- Feed quality: wrong phase, poor mixing, nutrient imbalance, mould, rancidity or excessive fines.
- Wastage: birds may scatter feed, making issued feed look like consumed feed.
- Water: low flow, contamination or long interruptions restrict intake and growth.
- Brooding: poor first-week conditions can limit later performance.
- Heat and ventilation: heat stress reduces feeding and poor air quality harms health.
- Disease and parasites: coccidiosis, enteric disease and other problems can reduce nutrient use.
- Stocking and access: crowding or inadequate feeder space creates uneven birds.
- Chick quality: weak, dehydrated or uneven chicks may start behind.
Use the diagnostic checklist in 9 Reasons Broilers Are Not Growing. Sudden mortality, bloody droppings, severe respiratory signs, paralysis or a sharp fall in feed and water intake require prompt professional investigation.
Feed additives and medicated feed
Enzymes, probiotics, organic acids, antioxidants and other additives can serve specific purposes, but they do not repair a badly formulated ration or poor farm management. Use products with clear labels and evidence for the intended use.
Do not use antibiotics routinely for growth promotion or as insurance against poor hygiene. Antibiotics do not treat viral diseases. Use medicated feed or antimicrobial treatment only for a diagnosed need, under veterinary or qualified animal-health guidance. Follow the correct dose, duration and meat withdrawal period, and keep treatment records.
Mixing feed on the farm
Home mixing can reduce dependence on finished feed, but a recipe copied from another farm may be unsuitable. Ingredient nutrient values change with variety, processing, storage and adulteration. Accurate weighing, proper mixing, ingredient testing and a formulation based on available ingredients are essential.
If you plan to mix feed, start with the Poultry Feed Formulation Guide for Nigeria. Get help from a qualified poultry nutritionist before producing large commercial batches.
A weekly feeding and growth routine
- Record opening feed stock and every bag issued.
- Check feed and water intake daily.
- Inspect feeders, drinkers, litter and bird distribution.
- Weigh a representative sample weekly.
- Record deaths and removals with likely causes.
- Calculate feed consumed, weight gain and FCR.
- Compare with the correct breeder or supplier reference.
- Investigate changes before adding supplements or medicines.
Plan feed quantities without treating estimates as guarantees
Feed planning starts with the number of birds placed, expected survival, target market age and the feed programme you intend to use. A calculator can estimate likely requirements, but actual consumption changes with strain, temperature, feed form, health, sex, market weight and management.
Keep a simple feed inventory:
| Record | What to enter | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Purchased | All feed delivered to the farm | Shows the full cash and stock position |
| Issued | Feed moved into the poultry house | Connects inventory to each flock |
| Remaining | Sound feed still in store or feeders | Prevents unused feed being counted as consumed |
| Wasted | Spilled, wet, mouldy or discarded feed | Separates management loss from bird intake |
| Consumed | Issued feed minus usable feed remaining and measured waste | Provides the correct input for FCR |
Do not order the entire cycle’s feed if storage is humid, insecure or exposed to rodents. Smaller deliveries may protect quality, but frequent purchases can increase transport cost and expose the farm to price changes or shortages. Choose the balance that fits your storage and cash flow.
Track cost per kilogram of live-weight gain
FCR measures biological feed efficiency, while cost per kilogram gained shows the financial effect of feed price and performance.
Feed cost per kilogram gained = total feed cost ÷ total live-weight gain.
Two flocks can have the same FCR but different feed costs because they used feeds with different prices. Two feeds with different bag prices can also produce similar cost per kilogram gained if the more expensive feed delivers better weight gain with less waste. Use both figures before deciding which feed performed better.
Check flock uniformity
Uniform birds reach feeder and drinker space more evenly and are easier to market at a common weight. Poor uniformity can begin with mixed chick quality, uneven brooder temperature, crowding, inadequate equipment, disease or selective access to feed.
When weighing, count how many sampled birds fall close to the flock average and note unusually light birds. If one part of the house contains smaller birds, inspect temperature, airflow, litter, lighting, feeder distribution and drinker flow in that area.
Nigerian feed-quality risks to control
- Moisture and mould: humid storage and leaking roofs can damage feed and increase mycotoxin risk.
- Ingredient variation: maize, soybean meal, groundnut cake and other materials do not have identical nutrient values in every batch.
- Adulteration: buy ingredients from traceable suppliers and inspect weight, smell, colour and contamination.
- Poor mixing: inaccurate scales or short mixing times can create nutrient differences within the same batch.
- Power and milling interruptions: plan supply before feed runs out; sudden ration changes can disrupt intake.
- Rodents and wild birds: protect feed stores because contamination and losses may be substantial even when damage looks small.
Frequently asked questions
Should I add extra protein concentrate to finished broiler feed?
Not without a formulation reason. Adding one ingredient can disturb the energy, amino-acid, mineral and vitamin balance of a complete feed. Ask the manufacturer or a poultry nutritionist before altering it.
Can broilers eat layer feed?
Layer feed is formulated for egg production and is not a suitable routine replacement for broiler feed. Its nutrient balance, including calcium, differs from what growing meat birds require.
Should feed remain available all day?
Healthy broilers normally need consistent access to appropriate feed and clean water. Any controlled feeding or lighting programme should follow qualified guidance for the strain, age, climate and production objective. Never impose long feed withdrawal to force efficiency.
What should I do when a new feed causes lower intake?
Check feed freshness, smell, texture, particle size, storage history and the timing of the change. Confirm water supply and house temperature. If intake falls sharply or birds show illness, investigate promptly rather than masking the problem with additives.
Final guidance
Profitable broiler growth comes from matching a sound feed programme with clean water, good brooding, ventilation, biosecurity and accurate records. Use published breeder specifications as references for the exact product, then judge the flock using its own weight, uniformity, mortality, feed use and cost data.
Technical references: Aviagen Ross 308 resources and Cobb management and nutrition resources.
