How to Build a Chicken House in Kenya (2026): Design, Size, Materials and Cost

Oct 18, 2026

Buy More Mall Kenya

A good chicken house keeps birds dry, cool, safe from predators and easy to clean. It does not need to be expensive: many successful Kenyan farmers build with timber poles, chicken wire, iron sheets and a concrete floor. What matters most is space per bird, ventilation and keeping rain and rats out.

Quick answer: Plan roughly 4–5 layers or kienyeji birds per square metre on deep litter, or 8–10 broilers per square metre (common rules of thumb; give more space in hot areas). Run the long side east–west so the sun does not shine straight in, use a concrete floor with wood-shaving litter, half walls with chicken wire above for air, and a roof with a wide overhang. Chicken wire costs from KSh 100 per metre or KSh 1,600 per roll on Buy More Mall.

How Big Should the Chicken House Be?

Flock	Layers / kienyeji (about 4–5 per m²)	Broilers (about 8–10 per m²)
50 birds	About 10–12 m² (e.g. 3 × 4 m)	About 5–6 m²
100 birds	About 20–25 m² (e.g. 4 × 6 m)	About 10–12 m²
300 birds	About 60–75 m²	About 30–38 m²
500 birds	About 100–125 m²	About 50–63 m²

Add space for feeders, drinkers, laying nests (about one nest per 4–5 layers) and a store for feed.

Design Basics

Orientation: long axis east–west to reduce direct sun inside.
Width: up to about 6–9 m allows natural cross-ventilation.
Walls: a low wall (about 0.5–1 m) with chicken wire or wire mesh above; curtains or sacks to close in cold or rain.
Floor: concrete, raised above the ground, with 5–10 cm of wood shavings.
Roof: iron sheets with an overhang of about 1 m to keep rain out; insulate under the sheets in hot areas.
Door: a footbath at the entrance for biosecurity.

Materials List

Chicken Wire-Roll – price in Kenya — Chicken Wire-Roll
**KSh 1,600**

Chicken Wire Roll 3/4 – price in Kenya — Chicken Wire Roll 3/4
**KSh 1,600**

Wire Mesh – price in Kenya — Wire Mesh
**KSh 700**

Mesh Wire Hg – price in Kenya — Mesh Wire Hg
**KSh 1,000**

Boxprofile/IT5 G28(STH) – price in Kenya — Boxprofile/IT5 G28(STH)
**KSh 600**

Mabati Nails – price in Kenya — Mabati Nails
**KSh 240**

Nails-3" – price in Kenya — Nails-3"
**KSh 200**

Hinges Heavy-4" – price in Kenya — Hinges Heavy-4"
**KSh 50**

Some photos are reference images of the product type, used under open licences. Image credits are on each product page.

Material	Use	Price
Chicken Wire-Roll	Walls above the half wall	KSh 1,600
Chicken Wire Roll 3/4	Finer mesh for chicks	KSh 1,600
Wire Mesh	Stronger mesh against dogs and predators	KSh 700
Boxprofile/IT5 G28(STH)	Roofing	KSh 600
Mabati Nails	Fixing iron sheets	KSh 240
Nails-3"	Framing	KSh 200
Hinges Heavy-4"	Door hinges	KSh 50
K.P Silver Mombasa Cement	Floor and half wall	KSh 780

Timber, poles and sand come from local suppliers; see building materials prices and how many roofing sheets you need.

Step-by-Step Construction

Choose a well-drained site away from the main house and downwind.
Mark out the size and set the poles or foundation.
Cast a raised concrete floor (see how to lay a concrete slab).
Build the half wall and frame.
Fix chicken wire or wire mesh tightly above the wall.
Roof with iron sheets and a generous overhang.
Fit the door, nests, perches, feeders and drinkers.
Add litter and let the house air for a few days before birds arrive.

How Much Does a Chicken House Cost?

Cost depends on size, timber vs block walls, and roofing gauge. A small timber-and-wire house for 50–100 birds is far cheaper than a block house for 500. Price your materials list on Buy More Mall and add labour.

Cost ranges are rough planning estimates for 2026 and vary by county, materials and labour; get a written quote.

Worked Example: A 100-Layer House on a Smallholding

A farmer in Kiambu builds a 4 × 6 m house facing east–west with a concrete floor, 0.6 m block half walls, chicken wire above, 28-gauge box profile roofing and 25 nests. Clean water from a covered tank and a footbath at the door keep disease out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcrowding to save on building costs.
Closed walls with no ventilation (ammonia and heat stress).
Short roof overhangs that let rain soak the litter.
Gaps where rats, snakes and dogs get in.

Not sure which one fits? Send us your details on WhatsApp or through the product page and we will help you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big should a chicken house be for 100 chickens?

About 20–25 m² for layers or kienyeji, about 10–12 m² for broilers.

What is the best design for a chicken house in Kenya?

An east–west house with half walls, wire above, a concrete floor and a wide roof overhang.

Does a chicken house need windows?

Open wire walls give ventilation; add curtains to close in cold or rain.

Can a chicken house have a dirt floor?

It can, but concrete is easier to clean and keeps rats out.

How much chicken wire do I need?

Measure the perimeter of the open wall section and multiply by its height; buy a little extra.

Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.

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