Claire Thompson
Kienyeji chicken farming is a potentially lucrative business venture in Kenya, particularly for those with limited access to land. With the right setup, farmers can earn monthly profits of KSh.50,000 or more. Kienyeji chickens are in high demand and can supplement their feed with foraging, reducing costs. However, challenges such as high feed prices, diseases, and competition from cheaper imports can make small-scale poultry farming difficult to sustain. Successful chicken farming in Kenya requires proper farm management, breed selection suited to the market and local conditions, and consideration of production cycles and market fluctuations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land requirements | Kienyeji chicken farming is ideal for those without access to large pieces of land |
| Market demand | Urban areas tend to have higher demand and better prices |
| Farm management | Proper housing, feeding, disease prevention, and biosecurity are essential |
| Breed selection | Choose breeds suitable for your target market (meat vs. eggs) and local conditions |
| Cost of inputs | Feed accounts for a large portion of costs; explore ways to manage feed costs without sacrificing quality |
| Value addition | Selling processed products (dressed chickens, smoked meat, etc.) or fertilized eggs can increase earnings |
| Production cycles | Broilers offer multiple rearing cycles per year, while layers produce eggs consistently over a longer period |
| Market fluctuations | Prices vary with seasons, festivals, and supply and demand |
| Direct sales vs. wholesalers | Selling directly to consumers (hotels, restaurants) often fetches better prices than selling to wholesalers |
| Income boosters | Start small to minimize risk, and consider combining different types of chickens (e.g., broilers and Kienyeji) to diversify income sources |
| Challenges | High feed costs, diseases, and competition from cheaper imports |
| Success factors | Choose the right breed, start with a small flock, and consider the location, market demands, and resources |
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What You'll Learn
Kienyeji chicken farming is ideal for those without large pieces of land
For example, a farmer, Ruth Kemboi, moved from cereal production to poultry farming as an alternative source of income. She started with a batch of 200 indigenous birds, and her initiative has since expanded to over 2000 chickens in her family's Kabiyet farm in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County. Kemboi states that "maize, wheat and dairy agricultural subsectors require a lot of space and time. What motivated me to start poultry keeping is the fact that it is easily manageable within a limited space."
Kienyeji chickens are coveted in poultry farming due to their demand and profitability. With the right setup, one can easily earn KSh. 50,000 or more monthly. Additionally, kienyeji/free-range birds will supplement their diet with foraging, reducing feed costs.
To start kienyeji chicken farming, one can begin with a small flock of one breed and expand as they gain experience and learn about market preferences. It is also essential to consider the farm's location, market needs, and resources when picking a breed.
For those with limited land, it is advisable to start small and gain experience while minimizing risk. This can be done by starting with a manageable number of chickens, such as 50 birds, which can be kept in simple and neat housing units constructed with timber, iron sheets, and mud-walled structures with wire mesh.
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Vaccination, deworming and medication costs
For example, 3-day-old chicks, vaccinated against Marek’s, cost Ksh. 100 each. If you buy 100, you’ll spend Sh. 10,000. You will also need to vaccinate your chicks against chicken diseases like Gumboro. You’ll need to vaccinate against: Gumboro 1st dose, Gumboro 2nd dose, Newcastle 1st dose, Newcastle 2nd dose, Fowl typhoid, deworming, and vitamins.
Vitamins and antibiotics should always be used when needed and especially after kuaguliwa.
It is important to note that these are rough estimates and actual costs may vary.
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Feed costs and foraging
Feed accounts for a substantial portion of the costs of chicken farming. In fact, feeding can take up to 80% of the kienyeji chicken rearing costs. For example, taking care of 100 chickens will cost you around Ksh. 16,800 for chick mash and Ksh. 24,255 for growers mash. Relying only on manufactured feed increases the cost of chicken farming. The more you rely on manufactured ready-made feeds, the higher the risk of buying low-quality feeds. Poor quality feeds slow chicken growth and can lead to losses by lowering egg production, increasing disease risks, and even causing death.
One way to reduce feeding costs is to make your own chicken feed. The raw materials for making homemade chicken feed include maize, cottonseed cake, soya beans, sunflower, and fish meal (omena). Some of these are very cheap and readily available. You will also need to spend a small amount on micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins to ensure a balanced diet. Making your own feed saves between 30 to 50 percent of the costs for every 70kg bag of chicken feed.
Another way to reduce feed costs is to allow your chickens to forage for natural food sources like insects, worms, and vegetation. This practice is called "foraging" and it can supplement the feed you provide. However, it is important to note that even with foraging, a balanced diet is key for the chickens' peak performance. In free-range systems, offer extra feed in the morning and evening to ensure chickens get the necessary nutrients not found in foraging.
To maintain the health and productivity of your chickens, it is essential to provide clean, fresh water at all times. Implementing a strict vaccination schedule is also critical to preventing disease outbreaks. Consult with a local veterinarian to develop a program tailored to your region’s specific disease risks.
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Market demand and direct sales
Kienyeji chickens are in high demand in the Kenyan market, and their eggs fetch a good price. They are described as "coveted" and "lucrative". This demand is partly due to their status as free-range birds, which can supplement their diet by foraging, thus reducing feed costs.
The profitability of kienyeji chicken farming in Kenya depends on several factors, including market demand and direct sales.
Market demand for kienyeji chickens and their eggs is high, especially in urban areas, where prices tend to be better. Kienyeji chickens are also in demand for their meat, which is considered a healthier alternative to other types of poultry.
To maximize profits, farmers can sell their mature chickens and eggs directly to consumers, such as hotels and restaurants, rather than to wholesalers. This direct sales approach can often fetch better prices.
One farmer, Ruth Kemboi, who rears over 2,000 kienyeji chickens, sells her surplus eggs locally and to outlets in Eldoret town, earning a good price of Sh35 for each fertilized egg. She also produces surplus chicks after every 21 days, selling each day-old chick for Sh125. She hires a hatching machine, paying Sh35 per chick, which still leaves her with a profit of Sh95 per chick.
Kemboi's success in kienyeji chicken farming demonstrates the potential profitability of this venture, especially with proper farm management, breed selection, and value addition.
Farmers can also consider selling processed products, such as dressed chickens or smoked meat, to further increase their earnings.
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Choosing the right breed
The pure breed of indigenous chickens are mostly scavengers and very resistant to diseases. They mature in six months and lay an average of 3 to 10 eggs a month. They are normal feeders and can be raised partly by local kitchen waste and left to scavenge for food within the compound.
The Kuroiler is an Indian breed that was first introduced to Kenya through Uganda. They are known for their good-quality meat and the large number of eggs they produce annually in Kienyeji conditions. They are medium feeders and lay between 18 to 20 eggs a month, but they have low resistance to diseases.
The Rainbow Rooster is also a type of improved indigenous chicken that was developed in India. They are multicoloured, highly disease-resistant, fast-growing, and can be grown in "kienyeji-like" circumstances. They lay between 20 to 25 eggs a month and have a maturity period of 4 months. They are medium feeders but have low resistance to diseases.
The KARI improved variety is the result of breeding research by the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). They are a cross between different types of indigenous chickens from different areas, selected for characteristics like high egg production, faster growth, and good feed-to-meat conversion. They lay 15-20 eggs in a cycle (or per month), mature in 4 months, and are ready for the market as meat at approximately 1.2kg. They start laying eggs at 6 months, and while they do not sit on eggs, they can be encouraged to do so through association with other pure indigenous breeds.
When choosing the right breed, it is important to consider your unique circumstances and the characteristics of the birds. While most provide dual purposes (raised for both eggs and meat), the varieties differ in maturity periods, egg production, adaptability, resistance to diseases, and feeding requirements. It is also essential to have a reliable market for your chickens or eggs, as urban areas tend to have higher demand and better prices.
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Frequently asked questions
Kienyeji chickens are in high demand and are profitable due to their eggs and meat. They are ideal for those who do not have access to large pieces of land as they can forage for food, reducing feed costs.
Feed accounts for a substantial portion of costs, with vaccinations, treatments, and labour also contributing to expenses.
You can increase profitability by choosing the right breed for your location and market, starting with a small flock, and selling directly to consumers rather than wholesalers.
You can start with as few as 20 hens and 3 mature roosters, maintaining a ratio of 1 rooster to 7-10 hens for fertilization.
