One of the important questions that many aspiring poultry farmers grapple with is how much it is going to cost them to feed 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000 or even 2000 chicks to maturity. It is important to note that the daily feed intake increases as the bird grows older. That is just the logical thing. As their body masses increases, they will need more energy, protein feeds and vitamins.
During week 1, the daily feed intake per bird is between 12gm and 15gm. So taking a lower figure of 12gm per bird per day, 100 birds are going to consume 1200gm or 1.2kg per day. In one week, the birds are going to consume about 8.4kg.
During week 2, the required daily feed intake varies at between 15gm and 21gm. Taking the lower figure of 15gm, the birds are going to consume 1500gm or 1.5kg per day. In a week, they are going to consume, 10.5kg.
During week 3, the daily feed intake increases to between 21gm and 35gm. Taking the lower figure of 21gm, the birds are going to consume 2100gm or 2.1Kg. In a week, the birds are going to consume 14.7Kg.
During week 4, the daily feed intake bird increases to between 35gm and 50gm, so in a day, the birds are going to consume a minimum 3500gm or 3.5kg. In a week, they are going to consume 24.5kg.
So before week 4 ends, the birds have a consumed a minimum of 8.4+10.5+14.7+24.5=58.1kg. Your Fugo chick and duck mash is basically finished after three and a half weeks and you have to spend another Ksh.2500 to Ksh.2700 on the next bag depending on the costs in your area. As they grow older, the feed intake is going to rise even further as they will consume the 50kg bag in a matter of days. If you take the higher side of feeding, then the feed lasts over even fewer days.
At week 7, you should begin supplementing their formulated feeds with more locally available foods such as cabbages, omena of even food leftovers. Check out our Poultry Feed Formulation Manual for a more comprehensive guide on kienyeji feeding including formulas for formulating various kinds of feeds for chicks, layers etc.