Poultry Farming in Kenya- Step by Step
Poultry Farming in Kenya
Poultry farming in Kenya is one of the most important agricultural sectors in Kenya. It employs about 1.5 million people and generates about Ksh. 100 billion in annual revenues.
This post will guide you on what "Poultry-farming-in-Kenya" or production is all about as well as all you need to do to get started.
The Poultry Farming in Kenya sector is characterized by high levels of productivity and profitability. Poultry farming is a low-input, high-output sector that can be adapted to a wide range of climates and soils.
The main types of Poultry Farming in Kenya are broiler and layer farming. Broiler farming is the most common type of poultry farming in Kenya. It is a fast-growing sector that is characterized by high production levels and high levels of profitability. Layer farming is a slower-growing sector
7 Things About Poultry Farming In Kenya You Wants to Know
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Poultry farming in Kenya
TYPES OF CHICKEN IN KENYA - Poultry Farming In Kenya
Are you looking for the best laying hens, broilers or dual-purpose chicken breeds to make the biggest profits on the farm? In this article, we will provide a list of the best types of broilers, layers and dual-purpose chickens in the East and Central Africa region. The analysis compares exotic meat chicken and egg producing chicken. Others are autochthonous ecotypes and other crossbreeds.
1. Improved Breeds Farming-Poultry Farming In Kenya .
Indigenous/indigenous chicken breeds
Indigenous/indigenous chicken breeds play an important role in the rural economies of most developing and underdeveloped countries. They play an important role for the poor and marginalized rural population in terms of income support and provide nutritious chicken eggs and meat for their own consumption. The performance of native birds can be improved through changes in management, feeding and better health coverage. However, genetic improvement can be done by selection and crossbreeding or by selection and crossbreeding. Improvement by selection may take a long time, but the improvement will be permanent. Through interbreeding, improvement may be faster, but research should be aimed at producing native birds with greater production potential.
2. Broiler Farming -Poultry Farming In Kenya
Broilers, also called broilers, are a type of poultry raised for their meat. They are often bred commercially in large numbers.
Breeding broilers for meat is an amazing, interesting and profitable experience. Whether you do it on a large or small scale, it's a rewarding process. The term broiler production refers to the creation of breeds of birds or birds with high meat productivity. With good long-term management, raising broilers is a profitable business. Chicken is another name given to a species of bird that provides meat that can be roasted.
• Broilers have a rapid growth rate and reach commercial or food size in 5 weeks.
• Broilers are easy to raise and handle on small, medium and large scales.
• Chickens process food better and faster than any other type of chicken or poultry.
• Broilers are not hardy or resilient birds; therefore, they need an optimal form of care and management that includes prompt vaccination and medication, adequate ventilation, and high-quality nutrition.
• Broilers follow a three-phase feeding program or diet, which are: Chicken Start, Chicken End and Chicken End.
• Its meat is more succulent and tasty than that of other birds.
• They can be grown organically and synthetically, but the former is more expensive but healthier.
• They do not grow well in the wild, but under an intensive management system. They can be raised in cages or on deep burlap floors.
• Live longer when kept outdoors than when kept entirely in an enclosure.
• Hens can lay eggs like any other bird and can also mate with roosters from other chicken breeds.
• We have different lines of broilers (some call them breeds). We have the Ross, Cobb, Arbor Acres, Hubbard and Marshall chicken lines.
Related; Step-by-Step Guide; Turkey Farming in Kenya.
Related; 11 Reasons Why You Should Go Into Snail Farming In Kenya
3. Layer Farming - Poultry Farming In Kenya
Laying hens means the rearing of laying birds for the purpose of producing commercial eggs. Laying hens are such a special type of chicken that they must be reared from a day old.
It is simply the art and science of raising chickens (hens) primarily for egg production and secondarily for meat production. Laying hens are commercially viable egg-producing hens.
They begin to lay commercially between 18 and 19 weeks. They keep eggs continuously until 72-78 weeks of age. They can produce about one kg of eggs by consuming about 2.25 kg of food during the laying period. To produce hybrid layers, consider the different characteristics of the rooster and hen before breeding. There are several types of high egg producing laying breeds available around the world.
7 Things Amazing About Poultry Farming In Kenya You Wants to Know
4. Duck Farming - Poultry Farming In Kenya
Duck Farming in Kenya
Duck farming is a very popular business idea and one of the most profitable as there are many breeds of ducks available all over the world. They can easily be bred for meat and eggs. Did you know that ducks can be raised without water? Well yes, it's true. Thousands of ducks can be raised without water simply by keeping them indoors, the same way you raise chickens or other types of birds.
Since there are many different breeds of ducks around the world, duck farming is a very popular and profitable business idea. It is simple to raise them for meat and eggs. Ducks can be reared without using water. Yes that is correct. Thousands of ducks can be raised without access to water simply by keeping them indoors, just like chickens or other birds.
However, keep in mind that if you raise ducks without water, they will lay unfertilized eggs, which means you won't be able to hatch the eggs or produce ducklings. On the other hand, male ducks and water are needed if you want viable eggs. Ducks need water to breed and mate.
5. Turkey Farming - Poultry Farming In Kenya
Turkey Farming in Kenya
Commercial turkey farming is a profitable business idea. The turkey grows faster than broilers and becomes marketable in a very short time.
Raising turkeys for meat production is more popular than turkey egg production. Although some people keep one or more bucks (a mature male turkey) as a pet.
The care and handling of other turkeys is similar to that of many other common birds. But the main difference is the size of the turkeys. They are relatively larger birds.
Today, commercial turkey farming is a very popular business. And its popularity is gradually increasing. So it could be a good deal for you to make a profit.
BIRD HOUSING AND HANDLING - Poultry Farming In Kenya
System for sheltering poultry. It is crucial to emphasize the sort of poultry housing system used for chicken production. The extreme environmental and climatic circumstances, which could have a negative impact on the hens' performance and productivity, are shielded from the birds.
• To protect birds from bad weather
• To ensure simple and economical operation
• Guarantee a scientifically controlled diet
• To facilitate appropriate microclimatic conditions near birds
• For effective disease control measures
• To ensure adequate supervision
Things to Consider in Poultry Farming in Kenya;
1. Selection Location - Poultry Farming In Kenya
• The chicken coop should be located away from residential and industrial areas.
• Must have adequate road infrastructure.
• Must have basic services like water and electricity.
• Availability of relatively lower paid agricultural workers.
• The coop should be located in an elevated area and there should be no flooding.
• Must have adequate ventilation.
2. Farm Layout - Poultry Farming In Kenya
A small farm does not require any special design since it involves building a single shed. Medium and large farms require special considerations for the location of buildings on the farm grounds.
The basic principles to be observed for layout are;
• Design should not allow outside visitors or vehicles to approach birds.
• Barns should be located so that fresh air passes through the barn first, followed by grower and laying barns. This prevents the spread of disease from barn to barn.
• There must be a minimum distance of 50 to 100 feet between the chicks and the barn and the distance between the chick and the layers must be at least 100 meters.
• The egg store, office and food store should be located near the entrance to minimize the movement of people around the houses.
• The sewage pit and the infirmary must only be built at the end of the construction site.
FOOD MANAGEMENT - Poultry Farming In Kenya
Water - The most important nutrient - Birds should have free access to clean, fresh water at all times. During brooding, clean and disinfect water sources daily. When starting day-old birds or after moving or transporting birds, give them access to water before putting food in feeders. Water consumption will be 3 times higher when temperatures reach 100°F compared to a 50°F climate.
Grain - When birds have access to coarse sand or whole grains, they should be fed an insoluble grain. Limit litter consumption to 1 lb per 100 lbs of feed or 2 lbs per 100 birds per week. The cereal can be mixed with your usual kibble or offered free in a separate feeder. But when a commercially prepared food is offered, no sand is needed (the food is already ground).
Don't let feeders empty or accumulate old food. Never give moldy, expired or suspect food in any way.
Commercially raised chickens are usually fed what is called a complete feed which includes all the protein, energy, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed for proper growth, egg production and maintenance. bird health.
Chicks are fed a high-protein starter diet shortly after hatching until they are 6 to 8 weeks old. They are then transferred to a finishing or development diet with more energy than protein.
All types of beans and peas provide good protein in bird diets, but must be processed (roasted or steamed). Raw, unprocessed grains contain enzyme inhibitors that interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption.
Soy is a popular and readily available food and is still processed before it is sold as a food ingredient.
Antibiotics and other medications can be added to bird food. Timed feedings provide a consistent dose.
Coccidiosis is a disease of chickens that is difficult to control in the environment, and adult chickens can develop resistance if exposed to a mild case. Common practice is to feed the coccidiostat until about 16 weeks of age, then switch to untreated feed. Even if treatment of an outbreak in older chickens is necessary, treated feed cannot be provided during the last week before harvest.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF POULTRY HOUSE - Poultry Farming In Kenya
• Hatcher/Coop-Used to hatch and raise egg-like chicks from 0 to 8 weeks old.
• Chicken coop: used to raise egg-type birds from 9 to 18 weeks old.
• Chicken coop breeders: Here the birds are reared from 0 to 18 weeks (the full period of rearing and growing egg-type hens).
• Poultry house: where birds older than 18 weeks are raised, usually up to 72 weeks.
• Poultry house: where chickens are kept until they are 6 weeks old.
• Breeding house: where males and females are kept in an appropriate sex ratio.
• Controlled Environment (CE) Shed - In which the entire environment is manipulated in an optimal manner for bird growth.
OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR REARING POULTRY
• Temperature - 22-300C (70-850F)
• Relative Humidity - 30-60 %
• Ammonia level - Less than 25 ppm
• Litter moisture - 15-25%
• Air flow - 10-30 metres/minute
POULTRY HOUSE MANAGEMENT - Poultry Farming In Kenya
• Poultry House Direction - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The chicken coop should be located so that the long axis is in the east-west direction. This will avoid direct sunlight on the birds.
• Poultry House Size - Poultry Farming In Kenya
Each chicken requires one square meter of floor space, while a layer requires two square meters of floor space with a deep litter creation system. Thus, the size of the house depends on the number of birds to be kept.
• Poultry House Length - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The length of the house can be any length. The number of birds kept and the availability of land determine the length of the chicken coop.
Open coops in tropical countries should be no more than 22 to 25 feet wide to allow sufficient ventilation and aeration in between. Larger sheds will not provide adequate ventilation in hot weather. If the width of the shed is greater than 25 feet, ridge venting in the center line of the roof with adequate overhang is mandatory. Hot air and noxious lighter-than-air gases rise and escape through the top opening. In environmentally controlled homes, the width of the house can reach 40 feet or more because ventilation is controlled using exhaust fans.
• Poultry House Height - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The height between the sides of the foundation and the roof line should be 6-7 feet (eave height) and in the center 10-12 feet. In the case of poultry houses, the height is decided according to the type of arrangement of the cages (3 levels or 4 levels).
• Poultry House Foundation - Poultry Farming In Kenya
A good foundation is essential to prevent water infiltration in homes. The foundation of the house should be concrete between 1 and 1.5 feet below ground level and between 1 and 1.5 feet above ground level.
• Poultry House Floor - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The floor should be rat-proof, moisture-free concrete. The floor of the house should extend 1.5 feet from the wall on all sides to avoid rat and snake problems.
• Poultry House Doors - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The door must open outwards in the case of deep shelters. The port size is preferably 6 x 2.5 feet. At the entrance, a footbath must be provided to be filled with a disinfectant.
• Poultry House Side Walls - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The side wall should be 1 to 1.5 feet high and generally level with the height of the bird's back. This side wall protects the bird on rainy or cold days and also provides sufficient ventilation. In the case of cages, no side wall is required.
• Poultry House Roof - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The chicken coop roof can be straw, tile, asbestos or concrete, depending on the cost. The different types of roofs are Shed, Gable, Half Monitor, Full Monitor (Monitor), Flat Concrete, Gambrel, Gothic, etc. The Gable type is mostly preferred in tropical countries like India.
• Poultry House Overhang - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The overhang of the roof should not be less than 3.5 feet in order to prevent the entry of rain water into the shed.
• Poultry House Lighting
Light should be provided at 7-8 feet above the ground level and must be hanged from ceiling. If incandescent bulbs are used, the interval between two bulbs is 10 feet. In case of fluorescent lights (tube lights) the interval is 15 feet.
Floor Space Requirement of Poultry - Poultry Farming In Kenya
| Age of Bird | Floor Space (sq. ft) |
Chicks | 0 – 10 Weeks | 0.8 – 1.0 |
| 10 – 16 Weeks | 1.5 – 2.0 |
Layers | Brown egg | 2.0 - 2.5 |
| White egg | 2.0 |
| Meat type | 2.5 – 3.0 |
Broilers | 0 – 8 Weeks | 0.8 – 1.0 |
Turkeys | 0 – 8 Weeks | 1.0 – 1.5 |
| 8 – 12 Weeks | 1.5 – 2.0 |
| 12 – 20 Weeks | 2 - 3 |
| 20 – 26 Weeks | 3 - 4 |
| Breeders | 6 - 8 |
Ducks | 0 – 7 Weeks | 0.5 – 1.0 |
| 7 Weeks to Maturity | 2.5 |
| Breeders Herd | 3.0 |
| Confined | 6.0 |
Problems Facing Poultry Farming in Kenya.
The poultry trade is one of the most important and profitable aspects of the livestock sector, especially in Kenya and Nigeria. But like any other business, there are risks and challenges involved. Are you planning to enter the poultry industry, but would like to know the risks and challenges you will face? So I advise you to keep reading.
The Challenges of Starting a Poultry Business - Poultry Farming In Kenya
1. Lack of Government Support - Poultry Farming In Kenya
Looking closely at some African countries today, you can attest to the fact that the government shows little or no interest in poultry farming. The government is more interested in other sectors, so it does not care about poultry farming and this discourages poultry farmers.
Even the so-called agricultural loan provided by the government is not accessible due to the strict conditions attached to it. So, if you are interested in starting a poultry business, you should be ready to do it yourself without seeking government assistance.
2. High Starting Capital - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The first factor you should seriously consider is capital. Like any other business, poultry farming needs sufficient and adequate funding. This is because the amount of capital you need to invest has a lot to do with the level of success you would achieve in poultry farming. If you have enough capital, you can install facilities that would increase your productivity.
You can't be successful as a farmer, especially in poultry, if you don't have enough money. You need money to buy land for the farm, build and equip the farm, hire and pay staff/workers and also feed and care for your birds.
Without adequate financing, you will struggle to keep your business afloat but with sufficient capital; business becomes easier. Therefore, it is recommended that you do your financial analysis well and ensure that you have access to cash, because nothing kills a business faster than a lack of cash.
3. Disease Outbreak - Poultry Farming In Kenya
When the environment is dirty, disease and infection are inevitable. Birds like chicken are very sensitive to environmental changes. If the poultry environment is not maintained properly, the chickens will be exposed to diseases such as bacterial infections. Therefore, as a poultry farmer, you must ensure that the poultry environment is kept clean and disinfected.
You should avoid bringing in contaminated equipment, vehicles and footwear. You should always deworm your birds and constantly check them for exoparasites such as mites. Also, visitors should not be allowed in the bird's environment and be sure to sterilize your hands before touching the birds.
4. Lack of Availability and Accessibility of Vaccines - Poultry Farming In Kenya
In the food industry, especially poultry, this particular challenge affects small-scale poultry farmers the most because; unlike industrial or commercial poultry farmers who can afford to buy vaccines, small poultry farmers cannot afford to buy vaccines.
5. Adulteration and High Cost of Bird Feed - Poultry Farming In Kenya
The price of feed is quite high, and the birds consume a lot of it. Thus, most poultry farmers economize or ration the feed they give to the birds, which affects production. Additionally, adulterated poultry feed flooding the market is another challenge for poultry entrepreneurs. This is because adulteration removes the nutrients birds need to grow well, making them unhealthy and reducing their immunity to disease. Therefore, we generally advise farmers to buy feed mill and make feed by themselves. You can find out how the mill works in our product list.
Finally, I think you have understood the challenges you should expect as a poultry farming in Kenya and the best solutions for them. So start now by creating a counter-strategy to meet these challenges and success will be yours.
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