Broilers pay you in lump sums every couple of months. Layers pay you almost every day. For farmers who want steady, predictable income, an egg-production business is one of the most reliable ventures in Ghanaian agriculture — eggs are eaten in every home, chop bar and hotel, and demand rarely dips. This guide walks you through starting a layer farm in 2026.
Quick answer
A good layer hen lays for roughly 72–80 weeks, producing on the order of 280–320 eggs in that time. Your birds start earning around 18–20 weeks of age. The trade-off versus broilers is patience: you feed layers for about five months before the first egg, but then you collect income daily for well over a year.
Day-old chicks or point-of-lay pullets?
You can start a layer flock two ways:
- Day-old layer chicks — cheapest per bird, but you carry the cost and risk of raising them for ~18 weeks before any income. Best if you can brood well and want the lowest entry cost.
- Point-of-lay (POL) pullets — 16–18-week-old birds about to start laying. Far more expensive per bird, but they start earning within weeks and you skip the risky brooding stage. Best if you have capital and want income sooner.
Many first-timers start with day-old chicks to learn the full cycle and keep costs down. Compare the bird options in our guide to broilers vs layers vs cockerels, and check current day-old chick prices.
The economics of a 100-bird layer flock
A rough 2026 planning picture for 100 layers raised from day-old to point of lay. Treat these as orientation ranges, not a live quote.
| Item | Estimated cost (GH₵) |
|---|---|
| 100 day-old layer chicks | 1,800 – 2,600 |
| Feed to point of lay (~18 weeks) | 4,500 – 6,000 |
| Vaccines, vitamins, medication | 350 – 600 |
| Litter, heat, misc. | 300 – 500 |
| Housing & equipment (one-off) | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Approx. to first eggs | ≈ 8,500 – 12,700 |
Once laying, a healthy 100-bird flock can produce roughly 80–90 eggs a day at peak — that's around 3 crates daily. Feed is still your biggest running cost, so manage it well (see our feed price guide).
Feeding layers the right way
Layers eat different feed at different stages: chick starter, then grower, then layer mash once they approach laying. Switching to calcium-rich layer feed at the right time is critical for strong eggshells. A laying hen eats roughly 110–120 g of feed a day. Never run out — even a short feed gap can knock birds out of lay for days.
Don't switch to layer feed too early
Layer mash is high in calcium, which damages the kidneys of young growing pullets. Only move birds onto layer feed as they approach point of lay (around 17–18 weeks or at first egg). Too early is harmful; too late means thin shells.
Housing and system
Most Ghanaian layer farmers use the deep-litter system (birds on floor litter) or battery cages (birds in tiered cages). Deep litter is cheaper to set up and gentler on birds; cages pack more birds into less space, keep eggs cleaner and make disease control easier, but cost more. Whichever you choose, prioritise ventilation, dry litter, clean nest boxes and protection from the sun and rats. See our poultry house design guide.
Selling your eggs
Eggs sell themselves — but a smart farmer lines up buyers before the first crate. Target chop bars and "check-check" egg sellers, provision shops, cold stores, hotels, schools, bakeries, and neighbours via WhatsApp. Reliability and consistent size win repeat orders. Deliver on a schedule and you'll have standing customers who take everything you produce.
Layers vs broilers: which should you choose?
Broilers turn money over fast and suit farmers who want quick cycles and festive-season sales. Layers need more patience and capital up front but then pay a steady daily income for over a year. Many established farms run both — broilers for lump sums, layers for cash flow. If you're just starting and want quick returns, read our guide to starting with 100 broilers first.
Frequently asked questions
When do layers start laying eggs in Ghana?
Is a layer farm more profitable than broilers?
How many eggs will 100 layers produce?
Should I start with chicks or point-of-lay pullets?
Start your layer flock with Agro Prime
We supply vaccinated layer chicks, layer feed, and equipment from our Kasoa hatchery and store, plus advice on housing and feeding for steady egg production. Book a visit or advisory call and we'll help you plan the numbers.
