Unlike most graduates who embark on job search after graduating, Kelvin Gikuhi Gitau never sought employment thanks to his knowledge of different farming types, having been brought up in a family that relied on farming as the economic mainstay
On his family’s farm in Githunguri, Kiambu County, Kelvin started poultry farming in 2019, with 200 birds which have now multiplied to 4,000. The 22-year-old currently deals with layers chickens, producing 120 trays of eggs per day.
“I had to do some comparison between broilers, layers, and Kenbro but I chose layers because I had a ready market for eggs,’’ he says.
Kelvin notes one of the secrets to succeeding in poultry farming is maintaining a high level of hygiene which keeps diseases at bay.
With diseases being the major threat in poultry farming, Kelvin ensures all drinkers and feeders are cleaned every day with disinfectant.
In addition, he ensures the wood shavings used on the chicken house floor is replaced every month to avoid decomposers.
“If you don’t clean the chicken house and compound, you will use all the profits to treat chicken diseases or experience so many deaths and such issues. Hygiene is key in any type of farming be it dairy, poultry, or piggery,” he said.
On feeding, the farmer notes that in the first and second months, the birds feed on chick mash before being introduced to grower mash in the third and fourth months.
“After you collect some eggs is when you start feeding them Layers mash,” he explains.
He currently uses commercial feeds but plans to start making own feeds in the next two years to cut down production cost.
“The commercial feeds have a vitamin deficiency and for a chicken to produce optimally, they require 72 percent per serving of vitamins. Commercial feeds only offer 42 percent meaning you will have to supplement an extra 30 percent,” he says.
He explains that he offers calcium supplements in the form of salt, and liquid, which are mixed with the chicken food and water.
According to the farmer, calcium is key in the formation of egg shells while vitamins help in preventing diseases.
Kelvin sells his produce on the farm’s depot in Nairobi’s Moi Avenue with a tray of egg going for Sh400. He uses carton trays to transport the eggs to prevent breakages.
He markets his produce online mainly on his TikTok channel which boasts a huge following. Besides poultry farming, Kelvin also practices dairy and pig farming. he advises young people to be innovative to create employment.
