Agribusiness is still the most promising venture for Kenya’s youthful population, with poultry farming globally remaining the major source of cheap protein to feed the ever-growing population.
The venture requires careful planning, and if done correctly, it can be a good business. According to sources, poultry farmers in either broiler or layer farming can earn a profit of 15-20 percent with good management.
The initial investment for layer farming is generally higher than broiler farming due to the longer production cycle. However, it provides a more consistent income as eggs are produced daily.
It is, however, worth noting that various factors determine the profitability of layer farming, including breed selection, management, and market availability.
Esther, a poultry farmer who rears local chicken breed popularly known as Kienyeji chickens, shared some of the amendments she made on her farm that boosted her production and income, respectively.
In a video on her YouTube channel, Esther revealed that she witnessed growth after adopting a routine chicken vaccination, which helped her to keep diseases at bay.
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She notes that while farmers perceive vaccination as costly, it is necessary as chicken diseases can wipe out the entire flock, leaving farmers in losses.
“If you keep your chicken in a dirty environment, they will keep on getting sick and will delay on egg production,” she says, emphasizing the need for cleanliness in the chicken coup.
The farmer further reveals that using quality feeds is crucial in chicken farming, especially when the birds are young. She advises farmers to source quality feeds from credible suppliers.
“I start with starter pellets until the birds are a month old, then shift to chick mash until 2 months, then introduce growers mash,” she explains.
Esther advises that while shifting feeds, farmers should mix the new feed with the previous one for the chicken to easily adapt.
“You should shift gradually so that the chickens can get used to it,” she says.
She adds that the birds should be given enough feed without overfeeding them as overfeeding can lead to low egg production.
When the chickens are about to lay, Esther says they should be given calcium supplements such as Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP) and vitamins to keep them healthy and prevent behaviours such as cannibalism, which can be deadly.
Clean water in clean drinkers should also be provided. The farmer adds that enough space in the chicken coup allows the birds to exercise freely, reducing stress, which can affect egg production.
To prevent disease outbreaks and spread, Esther restricts access to the chicken coup and has invested in a bathtub where visitors clean and disinfect before entering the chicken coup.
