A poultry starter pack in Ghana is the short list a beginner needs before the first chicks arrive: day-old chicks, a heat source and brooder, feeders, drinkers, dry bedding, chick starter feed and a vaccination plan. Agro Prime Ghana supplies the chicks, the starter feed and the advice from our hatchery in Kasoa, and we arrange delivery to farmers across Ghana. The brooder, feeders, drinkers and bedding are usually sourced locally or made on the farm, so this guide sets out which items come from us and which you must source yourself, so you can prepare before delivery day rather than after.
Most problems with a first flock start in the first two weeks. The brooder is too hot or too cold, the water runs out, or the chicks cannot find their feed. These are planning problems rather than bad luck, and a pack that is checked before the chicks arrive prevents most of them. The list is short, but the order matters: the heat must be running before the box is opened, and the feed and water must be ready in the brooder when the chicks are placed in it.
From the Agro Prime Ghana team — a working hatchery in Kasoa supplying day-old chicks, point-of-lay pullets and feed across Ghana. Last updated October 2026.
Quick answer
A beginner's poultry starter pack has seven parts: day-old chicks, a heat source and brooder, feeders, drinkers, dry bedding, chick starter feed, and a vaccination plan agreed with a vet. Agro Prime supplies the chicks, the starter feed and advice on every item, and arranges delivery across Ghana. You source the brooder, feeders, drinkers and bedding, and have them running before delivery day. For chick and feed availability on your date, and the price for your pack, message WhatsApp (+233 24 915 1503), or book a visit to walk through the set-up.
What is in the pack, and who supplies each part
A starter pack is not one purchase. It is a set of items that must all be in place on the same day. The table below works as a checklist you can take into a shop or send on WhatsApp. It shows what Agro Prime supplies and what you need to source yourself, so there are no surprises when the chicks arrive.
| Item | Agro Prime | What you source or prepare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-old chicks | Supplies broiler or layer chicks from the Kasoa hatchery | A clean, ready brooder space for the number you order | Feed and water must be within reach from the first hours |
| Chick starter feed | Supplies starter feed and advises on the amount | Dry, cool storage, raised off the floor | Small chicks need a fine, easily eaten first feed |
| Heat source and brooder | Advises on size and set-up | A lamp or brooder unit, bought locally or built on the farm | Chicks cannot keep themselves warm in the first weeks |
| Feeders | Advises on the number and type | Chick feeders, enough for the flock size | Every chick must reach feed without crowding |
| Drinkers | Advises on the number and type | Waterers, kept full and clean | Water must be available at all times |
| Bedding | Advises on depth and dryness | Dry, clean, absorbent litter such as wood shavings or rice husk | Wet litter raises the risk of disease and poor growth |
| Thermometer | Advises where to place it | A simple thermometer for checking the brooder at chick height | Chick behaviour shows the heat is right, and a reading confirms it |
| Vaccination plan | Tells you which vaccinations the chicks have had, and advises on timing | A schedule agreed with a qualified vet, and the vaccines they recommend | Vaccines must be given on time and recorded |
Heat and the brooder: what the first two weeks need
Day-old chicks need a warm, draught-free start. The Mississippi State University extension guide on brooding gives a brooder temperature of about 90 to 95 °F (32 to 35 °C) for days 1 to 7. It then steps down by about 5 °F (roughly 3 °C) each week, and from day 36 onward it holds at about 70 °F (21 °C). The chart below converts that schedule to Celsius. Treat it as a starting point rather than a rule. Kasoa's climate is warm, so many farmers need less supplemental heat than a winter guide written for a temperate country suggests.
The chicks tell you more than a single reading does. Chicks bunched tightly under the heat are too cold. Chicks spread to the edges of the brooder, panting or pushed away from the heat, are too hot. Chicks spread evenly around the brooder and moving about normally are about right. Put the thermometer at chick height, not on the roof, and check it at night as well as in the day. The same guide advises lighting the brooder at least a day before the chicks arrive, and checking that it works properly, so you are not fixing it on delivery day. For more on the first days, see our guide on how to brood day-old chicks in Ghana, and our brooder temperature chart.
Feeders and drinkers: count them before delivery day
The same extension guide recommends at least two 1-gallon waterers and two 12-inch or 18-inch chick feeders for every 100 chicks. Treat that as a minimum. If chicks crowd round the feeders or waterers, add more. Place feed on feeder lids or egg flats under the brooder for the first four to six days, so the chicks learn to eat. Do not put every waterer and feeder directly under the heat. The inner end of each feeder should sit under, or just outside, the edge of the brooder.
Keep the water clean and available at all times. Warm weather uses more water, so check the drinkers at least twice a day and top them up before they run low. Water is the first thing a chick needs, and the most common mistake in a first week is to fill the feeder and forget the drinker.
Bedding, feed and the first week's routine
Spread dry bedding evenly over the whole brooder floor, and remove any wet patches as soon as you see them. Wet litter is a common source of trouble, so keep the drinkers from spilling and keep the bedding away from leaks. Store the starter feed in a dry, cool place, raised off the floor and away from rodents, and use the older bags first. Start with the feed you were given, and change it only on advice.
The first week is mostly watching. Each day, check the water, the temperature, how much feed is being eaten, the droppings and the way the chicks move. Write down what you see. A simple daily note makes it much easier to spot a problem early, and to explain it to your vet or to us if you need help.
Planning your first order?
Tell us the type and number of chicks, the date you need them and your town or area. We will confirm the chicks and starter feed for that date, talk through the brooder, feeders and drinkers you need, and quote the delivery. Message us on WhatsApp (+233 24 915 1503), or book a visit to see the set-up before you buy.
Vaccination and health: plan it before the chicks arrive
Ask us which vaccinations your chicks have had before they leave the hatchery. Then ask a qualified vet to set the schedule for your flock and your area, including protection against Newcastle disease and any other vaccines the vet recommends. Do not copy a schedule from a forum or a neighbour without checking that it fits your chicks. Keep a simple record of each vaccine: its name, the date given, the batch number and who gave it.
When a bird looks unwell, separate it and call your vet early. Waiting until the whole flock shows signs usually makes the problem harder to control. Keep visitors out of the brooder, use clean footwear at the door, and do not move equipment between houses without cleaning it. These habits cost little and protect the whole flock.
How to order your starter pack from Agro Prime
- Tell us the type and number: broiler or layer chicks, how many, and whether you will need point-of-lay pullets later.
- Give us your date and location: the delivery date, your town or area, and any access limits at your site.
- Confirm the feed and advice: we confirm starter feed availability on your date and talk through the brooder, feeders and drinkers.
- Agree the delivery and price: we confirm the delivery arrangement, cost and timing, and send a current quote on WhatsApp.
- Prepare and receive: light the brooder a day ahead, have feed and water ready, then receive the birds as agreed.
Bottom line
A starter pack is a checklist, and a first flock goes well when every item is in place before the chicks arrive. Agro Prime supplies the chicks, the starter feed and the advice, and arranges delivery across Ghana. You supply the brooder, feeders, drinkers and bedding, and you agree the vaccination plan with a vet. If you are still planning the whole farm, our starting a poultry farm guide and our broiler feeding guide cover the next steps, and our partner and invest page explains how larger projects are set up.
Get your starter pack set up right
Message us with your flock size, the type of chicks and your delivery area, and we will confirm what we can supply and the cost of delivery to you. Message us on WhatsApp (+233 24 915 1503) for a current quote, or book a visit to talk through the brooder and equipment in person.
Frequently asked questions
What is in a poultry starter pack for a beginner in Ghana?
A starter pack has day-old chicks, a heat source and brooder, feeders, drinkers, dry bedding, chick starter feed and a vaccination plan agreed with a vet. A thermometer is a cheap addition that helps you check the brooder. Agro Prime supplies the chicks, the starter feed and advice, and arranges delivery. The brooder, feeders, drinkers and bedding are usually sourced locally.
Does Agro Prime sell brooders, feeders and drinkers?
We advise on the type and number of each item for your flock size. Check the store section of our website for what is currently listed. For anything not listed, ask us on WhatsApp (+233 24 915 1503) whether we can source it for your order.
How much does a starter pack cost?
We do not publish prices on this page. Costs depend on the breed, the number of chicks, the season, the equipment you already have and the delivery distance. Message us on WhatsApp with your list and we will send you a current quote for the chicks, feed and delivery, and tell you what the local items are likely to cost to source.
What temperature should the brooder be in the first week?
The Mississippi State University extension guide suggests about 90 to 95 °F (32 to 35 °C) for days 1 to 7, stepping down by about 5 °F each week. Watch the chicks as well as the thermometer. Bunching means too cold, and spreading to the edges means too hot.
Are your chicks vaccinated?
Ask us which vaccinations each batch has had before it leaves the hatchery, and we will tell you what we know. Then ask a qualified vet to set the schedule for your flock, because the timing depends on the chicks, your area and your vet's advice.
How many chicks should a beginner start with?
Start with the number your space, equipment, feed budget and time can manage well. A smaller first flock lets you learn the routine. Tell us the number you have in mind and we will talk through whether your set-up fits it.
When should I set up the brooder?
Light the brooder at least a day before the chicks arrive, check that it works, and confirm the temperature at chick height. Have the feeders, drinkers and feed in place before you open the box.
Do you deliver a starter pack to my town?
Yes, we arrange transport to farmers across Ghana. Delivery cost and timing depend on your location, the number of chicks and the feed you order. We confirm both when you message us on WhatsApp (+233 24 915 1503), before you pay.
Sources
- Mississippi State University Extension, Brooding Chickens and Quail, for the brooder temperature schedule (converted from °F), the guidance to light brooders a day ahead, and the waterer and feeder ratios per 100 chicks.
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Minimum Space Requirements for Meat-Strain Birds, for the feeding and drinker guidance used in the feeding and watering section.
Order from Agro Prime Ghana
Agro Prime Ghana Limited runs a poultry hatchery in Kasoa and supplies healthy day-old chicks (broilers and layers), point-of-lay pullets, quality feed and hands-on advice to farmers across Ghana, with delivery arranged to your area. Message us on WhatsApp (+233 24 915 1503) for a current quote and to order, or book a visit.
