Chicken farming is a profitable business in Kenya and farmers who are keen on correct farming practices have experienced immense success in the venture.

In chicken farming, farmers can choose to either breed day-old chicks or rare layers, broilers or the indigenous chicken, locally known as Kienyeji.

For most farmers, broiler farming is the most attractive venture because it takes a short time to make profits. Broiler birds are one of the fastest growing and are ready for sale from 5-7 weeks.

According to poultry expert Antonio Mudong’I, to succeed in poultry farming one has to be smart and pay attention to the amount of money used in the production as well as the profit made.

He explains that the amount of money a farmer can make from 100 broilers is determined by various factors including season, location, and demand and supply.

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“The retail price for broiler birds is determined by the market, that is where you are, the season that is demand and supply, the timing of production and also the type of Market,”Mudong’I says.

He explains that farmers are likely to earn more during festive season due to the high demand for the birds.

Additionally, the farmer says there is usually an acute shortage of broiler birds during back-to-school period as most farmers focus on taking their kids back to school.

He notes that regardless of the location, the maximum price a farmer can sell a broiler bird is Sh600 and Sh500 when the demand is low.

This means a farmer with 100 birds can make between Sh50,000 and Sh60,000 before deducting expenses.

For farmers selling their birds in wholesale, Mudong’I says the prices range between Sh450 and Sh550 depending on demand.

He advises people intending to venture into broiler farming not to target market in rural areas as the demand there is very low, given the popularity of the Kienyeji chickens.

“There are places you cannot take broiler birds or the meat because people will be shocked. This is mostly in rural areas. So don’t expect to set up a broiler farm in rural places and expect to make it overnight,’’ he advises.

He gave an example of his home place in Kitale where broiler chickens are deemed tasteless meaning the market for the birds is very low in the area.