Poultry farming is one of the popular aspects of agriculture and for a good reason. The venture creates business opportunities for entrepreneurs, employment for job seekers, as well as a decent income depending on the size of the farm.
Alex Michieka is among many farmers in the country who have tapped into this opportunity and have attested to its profitability.
The ICT professional, who is the founder of Top Mkulima Poultry farm, runs a hatchery in Busia and broods his birds in Kisii and Machakos counties.
In an interview, Michieka revealed he diverted to farming in 2017 after a lack of white color jobs. Regular trips to various farms inspired him to start the poultry business, a decision that has since proven to be wise.
He broods the improved indigenous breeds, including Kenbro, Kuroilers, and rainbow roosters.
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“We ensure that we have F1 parent stock to assure our clients that the chicks we produce are quality and have a low mortality rate. We hatch different breeds using different incubators to identify them easily,’’ said Michieka.
Michieka, who started with 500 chicks, now sells about 10,000 chicks per week, with each bird going for Sh100. He notes that poultry farming is labour-intensive as regular checkups on the birds are required for better results.
According to experts, to achieve good results in the brooding business, regular chick check-ups should be done at least five times a day during the first couple of weeks of life.
The farmer needs to monitor their temperature, keep them safe from pets, predators and keep their feed and water clean.
As they get older, they should be fed using different feeders, but for the first week or two, plastic chick feeders work the best. The light must be available at all times to keep the chicks warm, especially during the rainy season.
To prevent disease spread, Michieka separates sick flocks from healthy ones. While the venture is a little capital-intensive, he advises aspiring farmers to have enough starting capital for a smooth operation.
“At least set some money aside to cushion you in case of emergencies,” he said.