How to Start Layer Poultry Farm in India
Practical Guide to Start Layer Chicken Farm for Egg Production (Part-1)
Starting a layer poultry farm is one of the most structured and scalable agribusiness opportunities in India. With rising egg consumption, organized production systems and increasing nutrition awareness, egg farming has become a reliable long-term business model.
This article explains how to start a layer poultry farm step by step, focusing on practical planning, housing systems, bird lifecycle and investment requirements.
“Layer farming koi short-term game nahi hai. Ye planning, discipline aur system ka business hai.”
Scope of Layer Poultry Farming in India
India ranks 3rd in the world in egg production and 4th in broiler production. Over the last decade, per capita egg consumption increased from 30 to 68 eggs per year, while poultry meat consumption increased from 400 g to 2.5 kg per person per year.
According to human nutritionists, an average person should consume 180 eggs and 20 kg meat annually, which clearly shows a large demand gap.
“India me demand supply ka gap hi layer farming ka sabse bada scope hai.”
Size of the Layer Farming Industry
India produces around 800 million eggs annually, with an industry value of nearly ₹1 lakh crore. Poultry products worth ₹750 crore are exported to Middle Eastern and European countries, especially Germany and the Netherlands.
The industry consumes about 18 crore metric tons of feed annually, showing its strong backward linkage with agriculture.
Division of Poultry Industry
The poultry sector is broadly divided into:
- Layer birds – reared mainly for egg production
- Broiler birds – reared mainly for meat
- Backyard poultry – country birds reared by small farmers for eggs and meat
This article focuses on commercial layer chicken farming.
Distribution of Layer Farming in India
About 70% of layer birds are concentrated in five states:
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Among northern states, Haryana has a sizable layer population, while Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a new layer farming hub.
“Jahan feed, market aur logistics mile – wahi layer farming successful hoti hai.”
How to Start Layer Poultry Farm – Land Requirement (10,000 Birds Example)
For a 10,000 layer chicken farm, approximately 1 acre of land is required.
Key points:
- Farm should be away from residential areas
- Open area preferred, ideally surrounded by trees
- No water logging
- Assured electricity supply
- Water quality with TDS below 1500
- Proper fencing is mandatory
Land Development and Farm Layout
- Boundary wall or strong fencing
- Long axis of shed should be East–West
- Separate zones for sheds, feed storage, office and labour quarters
- Tree plantation around the farm (without attracting wild birds)
“Biosecurity land se shuru hoti hai, shed se nahi.”
Layer farming online course
Basic Requirements to Start Layer Chicken Farm
- Housing infrastructure
- Cages and equipment
- Layer chicks
- Feed and nutrition system
- Medicines and supplements
Life Cycle of a Layer Bird
Layer bird life is divided into three phases:
- Chick stage (Brooding) – 0 to 7 weeks
- Grower stage – 8 to 16 weeks
- Layer stage – 17th week till culling
Understanding this lifecycle is critical for planning sheds and investment.
Housing Concept in Commercial Layer Farming
In large layer farms, three types of sheds are required:
- Brooder shed
- Grower shed
- Layer shed
The standard concept followed is:
Brooder : Grower : Layer = 1 : 1 : 4
For a 10,000-bird project:
- Brooder shed – 2,500 chicks
- Grower shed – 2,500 birds
- Layer shed – 10,000 birds
“Layer farming me capacity planning galat hui to poora cash flow bigad jata hai.”
Growing Cycle in Cage System (Commercial Model)
- Start with 2,500 day-old chicks
- After 7 weeks, shift to grower cages and bring new chicks
- After 16 weeks, growers move to layer cages
- Farm becomes fully functional in 4 batches (28 weeks)
Laying pattern:
- Starts at 18 weeks
- Peaks (>90%) at 24–45 weeks
- Declines after 50 weeks
- Culling around 72 weeks
Alternate System – Deep Litter (Limited Use)
If initial investment is low:
- Chicks can be reared on deep litter up to 16 weeks
- Then shifted directly to layer cages
However:
- Higher disease risk
- Difficult management
- Requires 1 sq ft per bird
“Deep litter sasta lagta hai, par risk mehenga hota hai.”
Chick Housing (0–7 Weeks): Cage vs Deep Litter
Cage System
- Expensive
- 0.28 sq ft per chick
- Easy management
- Lower disease risk
Deep Litter System
- Cheaper
- 0.5 sq ft per chick
- Difficult management
- Higher disease risk
Cage Specifications and Bird Density
For cage size 18 × 15 × 15 inches:
- 0–7 weeks: 9 chicks
- 8–16 weeks: 5 growers
- 17 weeks onwards: 4 layers
For a 10,000-layer farm:
- Shed size approx 220 × 38 ft
- 3 rows of cages
- Shed erected on pillars
Tentative Investment for 10,000 Layer Farm (Feb 2019)
- Civil infrastructure: ₹350 per bird
- Cages, nipples, feeders: ₹100 per bird
- Pullet growing cost: ₹180 per bird
- Feed mill (mash plant): ₹3 lakh
Total project cost ≈ ₹66 lakh
(excluding labour quarters, godown, fencing etc.)
Earnings and Profitability
If:
- Production remains within norms
- Feed price and mortality remain stable
Then:
- Profit ≈ ₹0.70 per hen per day
- Annual profit ≈ ₹19 lakh
(Profitability is market-dependent and variable.)
“Layer farming me profit daily nahi, cycle ke end me judge hota hai.”
