How to Convert an Old Room Into a Small-Scale Chicken Pen in Nigeria: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

I still remember the day Mrs. Chioma called me from Awkuzu. She was frustrated. Her chickens kept dying in the open coop she built behind her compound. Rain soaked them. Rats attacked at night. She was losing money every week.

I asked her one simple question: “Do you have any empty room in your compound?”

She did. An old store room that hadn’t been used in three years.

Two weeks later, that same room was housing 50 healthy broilers. Mrs. Chioma is now making steady profit.

This is not an isolated story. Across Oyi Local Government Area and the rest of Anambra State, I have helped dozens of farmers convert an old room into a small-scale chicken pen. It works. It saves money. And it protects your birds better than most outdoor structures.

In this guide, I will show you exactly how to do it yourself.

Why Converting an Old Room Makes Perfect Sense in Nigeria

Many Nigerians already have unused rooms. Maybe it’s an old boys’ quarters. Maybe it’s a store room filled with junk. Maybe it’s part of an uncompleted building.

These spaces are gold for poultry farming.

Here’s why:

Protection from weather: Nigerian rainy season can destroy outdoor coops. A room keeps your chickens dry.

Security from predators: Snakes, rats, wildcats—they all attack chickens at night. A solid room with proper doors stops them.

Temperature control: Rooms maintain more stable temperatures than open structures. This reduces stress on your birds.

Lower startup costs: Building a new structure from scratch costs between ₦150,000 to ₦300,000. Converting a room? You might spend ₦30,000 to ₦80,000 depending on what needs fixing.

According to the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), small-scale poultry farmers who use enclosed housing report 30% lower mortality rates compared to open systems.

I have seen this myself. In 2019, I trained 15 farmers in Nteje. The ones who used rooms had healthier birds and better profits after six months.

What Size Room Do You Need?

This is the first question people ask me.

The answer depends on how many chickens you want to raise.

Here’s a simple rule: Each broiler chicken needs about 0.5 square feet of floor space. Layers need about 1 square foot each.

Let me break this down in a table:

Most people start with rooms between 8ft x 10ft and 10ft x 12ft. This is perfect for small-scale farming.

Don’t try to squeeze too many birds into a small space. Overcrowding causes disease. Birds fight. Growth slows down. You lose money.

Step 1: Inspect and Clean the Room Thoroughly

Before you spend one naira on modifications, inspect that room properly.

Walk in. Look around. Ask yourself these questions:

Is the floor cracked? Deep cracks harbor germs and make cleaning difficult.

Are there holes in the walls? Rats and snakes will use even small holes to enter.

Is the roof leaking? Check the ceiling. Water damage means repair work.

Is there ventilation? Look for windows or any opening. No ventilation means your birds will suffocate from ammonia fumes.

Is the door solid? A weak door won’t protect your investment.

After inspection, clean everything. I mean everything.

Sweep out all dust, cobwebs, old boxes, and debris. Scrub the floor with detergent and water. Wash the walls if they’re dirty.

Mr. Ikenna from Ogbunike learned this lesson the hard way. He rushed to stock his converted room without proper cleaning. Two weeks later, his chicks developed respiratory problems. The room had dust and mold spores everywhere.

Don’t make that mistake.

Step 2: Repair All Structural Damage

Now that the room is clean, fix what’s broken.

Seal all cracks and holes: Use cement to fill floor cracks. Use wire mesh and cement to block wall holes. Even a 2-inch gap is an invitation to rats.

Fix the roof: If the ceiling leaks, repair it. Wet litter causes ammonia buildup. Ammonia kills chickens slowly.

Repair or replace the door: Your door should close tightly. Add a metal sheet at the bottom if there’s a gap. Rats can squeeze through incredibly small spaces.

Check the windows: Windows are your main ventilation source. If they’re broken, fix the frames. We’ll discuss the actual ventilation modifications in the next section.

In 2021, I visited a farmer in Nkwelle Ezunaka. His room looked perfect. But he forgot to seal a small hole near the ceiling. One night, a snake got in. He lost 12 birds.

Small details matter in poultry farming.

Step 3: Create Proper Ventilation (This Is Critical)

Ventilation is not optional. It is the most important modification you’ll make to convert an old room into a small-scale chicken pen.

Without proper airflow, ammonia from chicken droppings will build up. The smell burns their respiratory system. Birds get sick. They die.

Here’s what you need to do:

Install windows with wire mesh: If your room has windows, remove the glass or louvers. Replace them with wire mesh (mosquito net quality or stronger). This allows constant airflow while keeping predators out.

Create ventilation holes: If there are no windows, you must create openings. Cut ventilation holes near the ceiling on opposite walls. Make them about 12 inches by 12 inches. Cover with wire mesh.

Position matters: Place ventilation openings on opposite walls. This creates cross-ventilation. Air flows in from one side and exits from the other.

Height matters too: Top ventilation holes should be near the ceiling. Bottom ones (if needed) should be at least 2 feet above the floor. This prevents direct drafts on the birds.

I learned about ventilation from painful experience. In 2017, I converted my first room in Awkuzu. I thought one small window was enough for 100 birds.

I was wrong.

Within three weeks, the ammonia smell was unbearable. Birds started coughing (yes, chickens cough). I lost 23 birds to respiratory infection.

I immediately cut two more ventilation holes. The improvement was dramatic. No more ammonia smell. Healthier birds. Better growth.

The Poultry Association of Nigeria recommends at least 2 square feet of ventilation opening per 100 birds. Follow this guideline.

Step 4: Prepare the Floor for Easy Cleaning

The floor is where your chickens will spend their entire lives. It must be right.

Concrete floors are best: If your room already has a concrete floor, you’re lucky. Just make sure it’s smooth enough to clean but not too smooth (chickens need some grip).

Earthen floors need work: If the floor is just bare ground, you have two options. Option one: Pour a thin concrete slab (2-3 inches thick). This costs between ₦15,000 to ₦30,000 depending on room size. Option two: Compact the earth properly and use deep litter. This is cheaper but requires more litter management.

Create a slight slope: When pouring concrete or leveling earth, create a gentle slope toward the door. This makes washing easier. Water flows out naturally.

Seal the edges: Where the floor meets the walls, fill any gaps with cement. Rats love to dig under walls.

Sister Ngozi runs a poultry farm in Umunya. When she converted her room, she ignored the floor-wall junction. Rats dug under the wall within a month. She lost birds and feed to the rats before finally sealing it properly.

Step 5: Install Proper Lighting

Chickens need light. But the type and amount of light matters.

Natural light is best for daytime: Your ventilation openings will provide some natural light. This is good. It’s free and healthy for birds.

You need artificial light too: Install at least one light bulb in the room. Position it in the center of the ceiling if possible.

Bulb wattage depends on room size:

• 8ft x 10ft room: One 40-60 watt bulb
• 10ft x 12ft room: Two 40-60 watt bulbs or one 100-watt bulb

Protect the bulb: Cover it with wire mesh. Flying birds can break exposed bulbs.

Use LED to save money: LED bulbs use less electricity. A 9-watt LED gives light equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Your electricity bill will thank you.

For broilers, provide 18-20 hours of light daily for the first week. Then gradually reduce to natural daylight hours. This helps them find food and water easily when young.

For layers, lighting is more complex. They need 14-16 hours of light daily to maintain egg production. You may need a timer switch to automate this.

Step 6: Set Up Feeders and Drinkers

The room is ready. Now you need feeding equipment.

Choose the right type: For small-scale farming (50-200 birds), hanging tube feeders and bell drinkers work best. They’re affordable and reduce waste.

Calculate how many you need:

• One tube feeder (13kg capacity) serves about 40-50 birds
• One 10-liter bell drinker serves about 50-60 birds

Position them properly: Hang feeders and drinkers at the height of the birds’ backs. As birds grow, adjust the height weekly. This prevents waste and contamination.

Space them evenly: Don’t cluster all feeders in one corner. Spread them around the room. This prevents crowding and fighting.

Place them away from walls: Keep feeders and drinkers at least 2 feet from walls. This reduces the chance of litter getting kicked into them.

During a training session in Ogbunike last year, one farmer asked me why his feed was disappearing too fast. We visited his farm together.

The problem was obvious. His feeders were placed directly on the floor. Birds were scratching litter into the feeders. Half the feed was getting wasted in the litter.

We hung the feeders properly. His feed lasted 30% longer immediately.

Step 7: Choose and Spread Your Litter Material

Litter is the material you spread on the floor. It absorbs droppings and keeps birds comfortable.

Good litter options in Nigeria:

• Wood shavings (best option if available)
• Rice husks (very common in eastern Nigeria)
• Groundnut husks
• Sawdust (use with caution—some types are too fine and dusty)

Avoid these materials:

• Fresh wood shavings from treated timber (contains toxic chemicals)
• Moldy or wet material
• Very fine sawdust (causes respiratory problems)

How much litter do you need?

Spread litter 3-4 inches deep across the entire floor. For a 10ft x 10ft room, you need about 15-20 bags of wood shavings or rice husks.

Litter management tips:

Stir the litter every 2-3 days. This helps it dry and prevents caking. Remove wet patches immediately, especially under drinkers. Add fresh litter on top when needed.

Replace all litter between batches. Don’t reuse old litter for new chicks. Disease organisms survive in used litter.

I buy my rice husks from rice mills in Onitsha. A jumbo bag costs about ₦1,500 to ₦2,000. Wood shavings cost slightly more (₦2,500 to ₦3,500 per bag) but absorb moisture better.

Step 8: Install Heat Source (For Chicks Only)

If you’re raising day-old chicks, they need extra heat for the first 3-4 weeks. Their bodies can’t regulate temperature yet.

Heat options for Nigerian farmers:

Charcoal stove with metal basin: This is the most common and affordable option. Cost: ₦3,000-₦5,000. Place burning charcoal in a stove. Put a large metal basin or pot upside down over it. Hang it from the ceiling or place it on bricks. Birds gather around it for warmth.

Kerosene lamp under metal basin: Similar principle. Costs about ₦4,000-₦6,000 for the setup.

Electric bulb brooding: Use red 100-150 watt bulbs. Hang 2-3 bulbs in the brooding area. This works if you have stable electricity. Cost: ₦5,000-₦8,000 for bulbs and fittings.

Gas brooder: More expensive (₦15,000-₦25,000) but very efficient. Best for farmers with stable income or larger operations.

Temperature guidelines:

• Week 1: 32-35°C (90-95°F)
• Week 2: 29-32°C (85-90°F)
• Week 3: 26-29°C (80-85°F)
• Week 4: 24-26°C (75-80°F)
• Week 5 onwards: Room temperature (no supplemental heat needed)

Watch the chicks. If they huddle tightly under the heat source, they’re cold (increase heat). If they move far away from the heat source, they’re too hot (reduce heat). If they spread evenly around the room, temperature is perfect.

Brother Emeka from Nteje lost 40 chicks in 2020 because he stopped heating too early. It was Week 2, and he thought the chicks looked strong enough. Then one cold night came. Morning brought tragedy.

Don’t rush the heating period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In eight years of training farmers across Oyi Local Government Area, I have seen the same mistakes repeated over and over.

Mistake 1: Poor biosecurity

Many farmers forget to install a foot bath at the entrance. Every visitor should step into disinfectant solution before entering. Cost: Just ₦500 for a shallow tray plus ₦1,000 for disinfectant. This simple step prevents most disease outbreaks.

Mistake 2: Overcrowding

“Pastor Pius, can I put 300 birds in my 10 by 10 room?” No. You cannot. Overcrowding causes stress. Stressed birds get sick easily. They grow slowly. You’ll spend more on drugs than you save on housing. Stick to recommended stocking density.

Mistake 3: Ignoring ventilation at night

Some farmers close all windows at night “to protect the birds from cold.” This is wrong unless weather is extremely cold. Birds need fresh air 24/7. Ammonia doesn’t take a break at night.

Mistake 4: Using the room for other purposes

Your chicken room should be for chickens only. Don’t store yam. Don’t let children play inside. Don’t use it as a general store. Contamination is real.

Mistake 5: No routine maintenance

Check feeders daily for blockages. Check drinkers for cleanliness. Repair broken wire mesh immediately. Small problems become big problems if ignored.

Real Cost Breakdown: What You’ll Actually Spend

Let me be honest about costs. These are real prices from Anambra State as of early 2025:

Basic room conversion (80-100 bird capacity):

• Cement and sand for repairs: ₦8,000 – ₦12,000
• Wire mesh for ventilation: ₦5,000 – ₦8,000
• Lighting installation: ₦3,000 – ₦5,000
• Litter (rice husks, 15 bags): ₦22,500 – ₦30,000
• Feeders (2 tube feeders): ₦6,000 – ₦8,000
• Drinkers (2 bell drinkers): ₦5,000 – ₦7,000
• Heat source (charcoal stove setup): ₦3,000 – ₦5,000
• Disinfectant and foot bath: ₦1,500 – ₦2,000
• Labor (if you hire help): ₦10,000 – ₦15,000

Total: ₦64,000 – ₦92,000

Compare this to building a new structure from scratch (₦150,000 – ₦300,000). You save 50-70% by converting an existing room.

Local Regulations and Neighbor Considerations

Before you start, consider your environment.

Check with your community leaders: Some compounds have rules about keeping livestock. Better to ask first than face problems later.

Talk to your neighbors: Explain your plans. Good relationships matter. Promise to maintain cleanliness and control odor.

Urban vs rural locations: If you’re in a densely populated area, keep fewer birds (50-80 maximum). Manage litter more frequently. This reduces complaints about smell.

According to the Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, small-scale farmers don’t need special permits for under 200 birds. But local government environmental health regulations still apply. Keep your farm clean. Dispose of dead birds properly.

I know a farmer in Awkuzu who started with 150 birds in his boys’ quarters. He was careless with litter management. The smell disturbed neighbors. After complaints, local officials asked him to reduce to 80 birds. He complied. Problem solved.

Learn from his experience. Cleanliness prevents conflicts.

Disease Prevention in Converted Rooms

Converting an old room into a small-scale chicken pen gives you an advantage over open coops. But you must still follow proper biosecurity.

Before introducing birds (critical first step):

Wash the entire room with water and detergent. Rinse thoroughly. Spray with disinfectant solution (Izal or any poultry disinfectant). Let it dry completely for 3-4 days.

Vaccination schedule:

Work with a local veterinarian or agro-vet shop to develop a vaccination schedule. Common vaccines include Marek’s, Gumboro, Newcastle, and Fowl Pox. Cost: ₦20-₦30 per bird for basic vaccines.

Daily monitoring:

Check your birds twice daily. Look for:

• Unusual behavior (birds sitting isolated)
• Respiratory signs (coughing, sneezing)
• Diarrhea or unusual droppings
• Reduced feed/water consumption

Early detection saves lives and money.

Keep records:

Write down everything. Date of stocking. Feed consumption. Mortality numbers. Drug administration. This helps you identify patterns and solve problems quickly.

Sister Mary from Umunya keeps excellent records. When her birds showed reduced appetite in Week 3, she checked her records. She noticed the same thing happened in her previous batch. Pattern identified. Solution found. She now adjusts feeding times during hot afternoons.

Records are your best teacher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert a room that’s still in an occupied building?

Yes, you can. Many successful farmers raise chickens in boys’ quarters while the main house is occupied. The key is proper ventilation and strict cleanliness. Make sure the room has a separate entrance. This reduces disturbance to the main house and makes farm management easier.

How do I control smell from my converted chicken pen?

Smell control has three parts. First, maintain dry litter by stirring daily and removing wet patches immediately. Second, ensure proper ventilation so ammonia doesn’t build up. Third, avoid overcrowding—fewer birds produce less waste. If you follow these steps, your neighbors won’t complain about smell.

What’s the best flooring material for chicken pens in Nigeria?

Concrete flooring is the best option if you can afford it. It costs between ₦15,000 to ₦30,000 for a small room but lasts for years and makes cleaning much easier. If concrete is too expensive, compact earthen floors work fine but require deeper litter (5-6 inches instead of 3-4 inches).

How often should I completely change the litter in my converted room?

For broilers (6-8 week cycle), change all litter after each batch before introducing new chicks. For layers, completely change litter every 4-6 months or whenever it becomes too wet and compressed to manage with stirring. Always replace wet sections immediately—don’t wait for scheduled changes.

Can I raise layers and broilers together in the same converted room?

No, don’t mix them. Broilers and layers have different nutritional needs, different growth rates, and different management practices. Mixing them causes problems with feeding, disease control, and record keeping. If you must raise both, wait until one batch finishes before starting the next type.

Do I need electricity to successfully convert a room into a chicken pen?

Electricity helps but is not absolutely necessary. You can use natural light through ventilation openings during the day. For heat, charcoal or kerosene systems work fine for chicks. Many successful farmers in rural areas operate without electricity. However, electricity makes management easier, especially for lighting control in layers.

How do I protect my birds from snakes in a converted room?

Seal every possible entry point with cement and wire mesh. Check for gaps where walls meet the floor or ceiling. Keep the surrounding compound clean—snakes hide in tall grass and rubbish. Place a ring of sharp gravel around the room’s foundation. Some farmers also use snake repellent powder around the room perimeter.

What should I do if my converted room gets too hot during dry season?

Increase ventilation by creating additional openings near the ceiling. Ensure cross-ventilation works properly with openings on opposite walls. Provide extra drinkers with cool water. Reduce stocking density slightly—fewer birds produce less body heat. Some farmers also wet the litter slightly during extreme heat, but don’t overdo it or you’ll create humidity problems.

Final Words from Eight Years of Experience

Converting an old room into a small-scale chicken pen is one of the smartest decisions you can make as a beginning farmer in Nigeria.

You save money on construction. You protect your birds better than open coops. You have more control over the environment.

But please, don’t rush the process. Take time to prepare the room properly. Seal every hole. Create proper ventilation. Use correct stocking density. Follow biosecurity rules.

I have trained over 200 farmers in Oyi Local Government Area. The successful ones share one quality: they don’t cut corners. They do things right from the beginning.

Mr. Obinna from Awkuzu converted his old store room in 2022. He followed every step carefully. Today, he’s on his seventh batch of broilers. Each batch makes steady profit. His room is still in excellent condition.

Compare this to farmers who rushed. Some are now tearing down their converted rooms to start over. Others quit poultry farming entirely.

The difference is not intelligence. It’s not capital. It’s patience and proper preparation.

Start small. Convert one room properly. Raise 50-80 birds successfully. Learn from that experience. Then expand if you want.

This is how sustainable farming grows.

If you’re in Anambra State and need hands-on guidance, visit the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization in Ilorin or contact your local Agricultural Development Programme office. Many offer free or low-cost training for small-scale farmers.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security also provides resources and sometimes grants for young farmers. Check their website regularly for opportunities.

Remember, every successful chicken farmer in Nigeria started exactly where you are now—with one converted room and a desire to succeed.

Your journey begins today. That old room you’ve been ignoring? It’s your future profit center.

Go inspect it now. Start planning. Take action.

May your birds grow healthy and your profits multiply.

About the Author: Pius Emeka has been raising chickens in Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State since 2017. He has trained over 200 small-scale farmers across eastern Nigeria and specializes in helping beginners convert existing structures into profitable chicken pens. His practical approach comes from years of real-world experience, not just textbook knowledge.