Homemade Broiler Booster – How to Make Broiler Chickens Grow Faster

Last updated on July 31, 2025

Are you trying to figure out how to make your broiler chickens gain weight fast? With the rising cost of commercial products, many farmers are looking for the best feed for broiler chickens at home. A well-formulated natural booster is the secret weapon. It not only accelerates growth but also improves your flock’s health and reduces your costs.

This guide is my personal playbook. I’ll show you exactly how I use garlic and ginger in my own flock, share the key ingredients of my go-to booster recipe, and provide a step-by-step guide. Let’s build the perfect booster to help your broilers thrive.

What is a Natural Growth Promoter for Broilers?

A homemade broiler booster is a natural supplement crafted from organic ingredients designed to accelerate growth, enhance digestion, and fortify immunity in broiler chickens. These phytogenic feed additives are packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that help broilers reach market weight more quickly while maintaining robust health.

Benefits of Homemade Broiler Boosters

• Cost-effective: Significantly cheaper than commercial supplements, addressing concerns about rising feed costs, as highlighted by organizations like the FAO.
• Chemical-free: Contains no harmful chemicals or antibiotics.
• Boosts immunity: Reduces disease risks naturally through herbal additives.
• Improves digestion: Enhances feed conversion efficiency and nutrient absorption.

Why Natural Boosters are Better Than Synthetic “Weight Gain Medicine”

Many farmers search for a specific medicine for broiler chickens that gain weight. However, there is no synthetic “magic medicine” for rapid, healthy weight gain. Instead, the best approach is preventative and nutritional. While commercial additives might offer quick results, they often contain synthetic compounds that can have long-term drawbacks, including potential antibiotic residues.

Natural boosters, conversely, are gentle on your flock and promote overall health without such risks. They leverage the antimicrobial properties and antioxidants found in botanicals. For example, allicin from garlic and curcumin from turmeric are powerful active compounds that support your birds’ well-being. A natural approach offers sustainable benefits that commercial options sometimes miss.

What Food is Good for Broiler Chickens to Ensure Fast Growth?

The best food for broiler chickens is a high-quality, balanced commercial feed that is appropriate for their age. Broilers have distinct nutritional needs that change as they grow, typically broken into three phases:

• Broiler Starter Feed (0-3 weeks): This broiler starter mash is very high in protein (22-24%) and is crucial for developing a strong frame and immune system.
• Broiler Grower Feed (3-5 weeks): The protein content is slightly lower, focusing on building muscle mass.
• Broiler Finisher Feed (5 weeks to market): This finisher pellets feed has the highest energy content and lower protein to promote rapid weight gain before processing. For a comprehensive guide on timing your finisher feed, see our Broiler Finisher Feed Timing Guide.

While commercial feed is the foundation, adding a homemade booster and natural supplements can significantly enhance growth and health, contributing to better flock performance and livability.

How to Make the Best Homemade Feed Booster for Broilers

This is my go-to recipe for a powerful, all-natural growth promoter. It combines ingredients known to boost immunity, improve digestion, and stimulate appetite.

What are the Key Ingredients for a Broiler Growth Booster?

Here are the key natural ingredients and their benefits:

1. Garlic:
   • Boosts immunity and prevents infections.
   • Improves digestion and metabolism.
   • Acts as a natural antibiotic.
2. Ginger:
   • Stimulates appetite and improves digestion.
   • Enhances nutrient absorption.
   • Contains antioxidants that support overall health.
3. Turmeric:
   • Reduces inflammation and boosts immunity.
   • Improves liver function and digestion.
   • Enhances overall broiler health.
4. Black Pepper:
   • Improves nutrient absorption.
   • Enhances digestive enzyme activity.
5. Bitter Kola:
   • Boosts appetite and and digestion.
   • Enhances metabolism.
6. Cayenne Pepper:
   • Stimulates circulation and digestion.
   • Acts as a natural antibiotic.
7. Thyme:
   • Improves feed conversion efficiency.
   • Supports respiratory health.

Step-by-Step Preparation (Liquid Booster for Water)

This recipe makes a 1-liter batch of potent, natural growth promoter.

Ingredient	Quantity	Purpose
Fresh Garlic	3-4 cloves	Immunity & Antibiotic
Fresh Ginger	1-inch piece	Appetite & Digestion
Turmeric Powder	1 teaspoon	Anti-inflammatory
Black Pepper	1 teaspoon	Nutrient Absorption
Cayenne Pepper	1 teaspoon	Circulation & Digestion
Clean Water	1 liter	Base Liquid

Instructions:

• Prepare: Finely crush or blend the fresh garlic and ginger into a paste.
• Mix: In a non-metal container, combine the paste with the turmeric, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Infuse: Add the mixture to the 1 liter of water, stir well, and cover. Let it sit for at least 4 hours (or overnight for best results).
• Serve: Strain the liquid to remove solid particles before adding it to your drinkers.

How to Use the Booster (Dosage):

Add 30-50ml (about 2-3 tablespoons) of this booster solution to every 1 liter of your broilers’ drinking water. Provide this solution 3-4 times a week.

How to Use Garlic and Ginger in Poultry for Maximum Effect

Garlic is a game-changer for raising healthier broilers without synthetic additives. This natural remedy can strengthen immunity, improve feed conversion, and even act as a natural dewormer.

Why Use Garlic for Broilers?

• Enhances Immunity: Garlic is a natural antibiotic and antiviral agent that helps prevent infections, supporting a strong immune response.
• Improves Growth Rate: It stimulates appetite, leading to better feed intake and weight gain. As a study published on ResearchGate concluded, “The results of the study revealed that incorporation of garlic powder in broiler diets as feed additive significantly enhanced growth, economic and productive performance of these chickens.” (Motasem A. M. et al., 2018).
• Natural Dewormer: Garlic helps eliminate parasites, reducing worm burdens in your flock.
• Boosts Respiratory Health: Its anti-inflammatory properties help clear airways, reducing respiratory diseases.
• Reduces Odor in Litter: Garlic minimizes ammonia levels, improving overall coop hygiene.

How to Administer Garlic and Ginger

The easiest and most effective way to give your broilers garlic and ginger is through their drinking water using the recipe above.

Alternative Method (Dry Feed Mix): If you prefer adding it to feed, you can use high-quality powders. A good rule of thumb is to mix 1 tablespoon of garlic powder and 1 tablespoon of ginger powder into every 10kg of your homemade feed. Ensure it is mixed thoroughly for even distribution.

Best Practices for Using Garlic in Broilers

• Quality Matters: Use fresh garlic or high-quality garlic powder; avoid processed garlic with preservatives.
• Don’t Overuse: Excessive amounts can reduce feed intake. Stick to recommended dosages.
• Monitor Your Broilers: Watch for changes in behavior, feed consumption, or overall health. Adjust quantities if needed.
• Avoid Metal Containers: Garlic can react with metal, so use plastic or glass for garlic water.

The Power of Ginger for Appetite

Ginger is one of the best ways to increase your broiler’s appetite. It calms the digestive system and encourages birds to eat more, especially during times of stress or heat. Research supports the combined power of these ingredients: “Ginger and garlic supplements in broiler chicken diets have been recognized for their strong stimulating effect on the immune and digestive systems in birds.” (Nadeem et al., 2015, PMC). You can use it in the same water solution as garlic or add a small amount of ginger powder directly to your homemade feed mix (about 1 teaspoon per kg of feed).

How Can I Increase My Broiler’s Appetite Naturally

A broiler that isn’t eating is a broiler that isn’t growing. Increasing their appetite is key to making them gain weight fast. Here are the most effective methods:

• Use Natural Stimulants: As mentioned, adding ginger and garlic to their water is a powerful way to stimulate their appetite naturally.
• Ensure Cool, Clean Water: Dehydration is the #1 appetite killer. Broilers will not eat if they are thirsty or if their water is warm or dirty.
• Manage Temperature: Broilers in overly hot conditions (heat stress) will dramatically reduce their feed intake. Ensure your brooder or coop has proper ventilation.
• Provide Adequate Feeder Space: If birds have to fight for a spot at the feeder, the less dominant ones will eat less. Ensure there is enough space for at least half your flock to eat at the same time.

A Complete Feeding & Management Schedule for Faster Growth

Beyond boosters, proper feeding and poultry husbandry are paramount.

Balanced Nutrition

Broilers need a diet rich in protein content, energy levels, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Providing a high-quality starter feed, grower feed, and finisher feed is essential. This is where you can consider homemade feed for broiler chickens as a cost-effective alternative to commercial options, ensuring they get all necessary nutrients through proper ration formulation. For a detailed guide on feed quantities, check out How Many 50kg Bags of Feed for 100 Broilers?.

How to Feed Broilers Daily for Maximum Growth

• Starter phase (0-2 weeks): Feed 5-6 times daily during the brooding period.
• Grower phase (3-4 weeks): Feed 4 times daily.
• Finisher phase (5-8 weeks): Feed 3 times daily during the finisher stage.

Water Quality and Hydration

Always ensure clean, fresh water is available at all times. Consistently add the homemade booster to their water as recommended.

Essential Housing Conditions

Optimal living conditions contribute significantly to growth:

• Proper Ventilation and Temperature Control: Maintain a brooding temperature of 32-35°C (90-95°F) in the first week, gradually reducing it by about 3°C (5°F) each week. Ensure proper airflow and ventilation to prevent respiratory issues and heat stress.
• Space Requirements for Faster Growth: Avoid overcrowding; provide at least 1 square foot per bird. Overcrowding leads to stress, stunted growth, and increased disease susceptibility, impacting mortality rate. Proper stocking density is crucial.
• Litter Management: Good litter management is vital for gut health and preventing issues like coccidiosis.

How to Know It’s Working: Signs of Success

How can you tell if your homemade booster is making a difference? Look for these positive signs within 1-2 weeks of starting:

• Increased Activity & Vigor: Your birds will appear more active, alert, and energetic.
• Improved Droppings: You’ll notice firmer, healthier-looking droppings, which indicates better digestibility and gut health.
• Increased Appetite: The birds will be more eager to eat and will finish their rations more consistently.
• Better Feathering: Feathers will appear shinier and healthier.
• Weekly Weight Checks: The ultimate proof is in the numbers. Weigh a small sample of your birds weekly to track their improved weight gain.

Sample Weekly Booster Schedule

Consistency is key, but you don’t need to provide the booster every single day. Here is a simple, effective schedule to follow:

Day	Action	Notes
Monday	Booster Water	Mix a fresh batch in the morning.
Tuesday	Plain Fresh Water	Give their system a rest day.
Wednesday	Booster Water	Second dose of the week.
Thursday	Plain Fresh Water	Rest day.
Friday	Booster Water	Final dose of the week.
Saturday	Plain Fresh Water
Sunday	Plain Fresh Water

Pro-Tip: During times of stress (e.g., after vaccination, extreme heat, or moving pens), you can increase the frequency to 5 days a week for a short period to provide extra immune support.

Safety First: Precautions and Common Mistakes

While this booster is natural, a few precautions are essential for your flock’s safety and the booster’s effectiveness.

• Start Slow: When introducing any new supplement, start with a half dose for the first few days to allow your birds’ systems to adjust.
• Don’t Use Metal Containers: Garlic and other acidic ingredients can react with galvanized metal drinkers, leaching harmful compounds. Always use plastic or glass containers for mixing and serving your booster.
• Fresh is Best: The liquid booster is most potent within 24-48 hours. Mix fresh batches every 1-2 days rather than making a large batch for the whole week.
• Observe Your Flock: If you notice a sudden drop in water consumption, it might mean the flavor is too strong. Dilute the mixture further and gradually increase the concentration.

Troubleshooting: Why Are My Broilers Not Growing Fast?

This section directly answers a common user problem.

“My chickens won’t drink the booster water.”

Solution: The taste is likely too strong. Dilute the solution to half the recommended strength and slowly increase it over a week. Also, ensure no other plain water source is available when you provide the booster.

“I’m not seeing a big difference in weight gain.”

Solution: Remember, a booster is a supplement, not a replacement for good feed. First, double-check that your base feed has the right protein content (22-24% for starters). Second, ensure your birds aren’t too hot, as heat stress is the #1 cause of slow growth.

“Can I use powders instead of fresh ingredients?”

Solution: Yes, you can substitute powders, but they are often less potent. A general rule is to use one-third the amount of powder for the fresh equivalent (e.g., 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of 3 cloves). However, for ingredients like garlic and ginger, fresh is always superior.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Raising Broilers

• Overfeeding vs. Underfeeding: Overfeeding can lead to obesity and health issues. Underfeeding slows growth and affects meat quality.
• Poor Hygiene: Dirty water and feed containers can spread diseases. Regularly clean the coop, feeders, and drinkers.
• Ignoring Signs of Illness: Watch for signs of lethargy, loss of appetite, or respiratory distress. Treat infections early to prevent spread.

Natural vs. Commercial Growth Boosters: Pros and Cons

Aspect	Homemade Booster	Commercial Booster
Cost	Affordable	Expensive
Ingredients	Natural herbs & spices	Synthetic additives, potential antibiotics
Health Benefits	No side effects, holistic health	Rapid growth but potential risks
Effectiveness	Gradual but effective, sustainable	Rapid growth, but can have drawbacks

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Incorporating a homemade broiler booster is a natural and cost-effective strategy to enhance the growth of your chickens. By combining the right ingredients, maintaining a proper feeding schedule, and ensuring a clean environment, you can achieve faster growth rates while keeping your broilers healthy and thriving. Remember, natural methods, combined with good poultry husbandry, are the key to profitable farming. Start integrating this DIY broiler booster into your broiler farming routine today and watch your flock thrive!