Improved kienyeji chicken is a chicken breed that has increased productivity compared to local kienyeji chicken breeds. This is a worthwhile venture for any citizen as improved kienyeji chicken prices are high, fetching you maximum profits. It is important to know how to care for improved kienyeji chicken to maintain healthy conditions that will lead to optimum productivity.
Guidelines on How to Care for Improved Kienyeji Chicken
Improved kienyeji chicken requires more attention than pure kienyeji chicken to attain increased productivity. Here is a guide on how to care for improved kienyeji chicken:
Proper Housing
Improved kienyeji chickens need good housing that is well enclosed, safeguarding the birds. A well-ventilated structure is key for proper air circulation. A good house protects the birds against adverse weather conditions that may affect their health. Keep predators away from the birds’ coops to avoid egg or bird losses.
Adopt a Suitable Improved Kienyeji Chicken Feeding Chart
A kienyeji chicken feeding program pdf will direct you on the type of feed to give to your birds. Adopting a kienyeji feeding chart is key as it guides you on the amount of feed to be given per bird in a day. Also, you can know the type of feed to give to birds at a particular age.
Proper Feeding
Feeding is a broad term when it comes to rearing birds. As a farmer, it is your responsibility to give your chickens the best possible healthy diet. Ensure the feed is nourishing and adds value to the bird, increasing its productivity. Give the birds the correct amount of food to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding. Fugo feeds are the best for improved kienyeji chicken.
Used Feeders and Waterers
Feeders help the birds to consume little food systematically to avoid wastage. It is easier to monitor the amount of feed consumed by birds daily. Waterers are also important for putting out clean water for the birds. Ensure you clean the feeders and waterers regularly to prevent food contamination. Change the water after a while. Water helps in the digestion of the feeds.
Provide Heat in the Birds Coops
Improved kienyeji need heat in their houses in case of extreme cold conditions. The heat keeps the temperature warm in the coops, which is favorable for the birds as it prevents pneumonia. Besides, the heat keeps the birds active.
Install Artificial Lighting
Improved kienyeji chickens need lighting for various purposes, such as egg formation—these birds need 14–16 hours of exposure to light. Natural light may be quite difficult to obtain during adverse weather conditions; thus, it is important to install artificial light in the birds’ house to serve the same purpose as natural light.
Maintain Proper Hygiene
Hygiene is critical in raising improved kienyeji chickens. Poor hygiene creates a breeding environment for parasites that later infect the birds. Diseases caused by parasites deteriorate the birds’ health and eventually lead to death. Clean the houses regularly. Clean the equipment to prevent contamination.
Separating the Birds
Separation of the birds can be achieved by partitioning the bird’s house. This prevents overcrowding of your flock. Overcrowding is risky as birds may end up pecking each other. Also, separating birds helps the farmer feed the birds the correct type and amount of food depending on their age and body weight.
Vaccination
Adopting a suitable improved kienyeji chicken vaccination schedule is vital. Vaccinating your birds boosts their immunity. The strong immunity fights against deadly outbreak diseases. Remember, improved kienyeji chicken is less resistant to diseases. Having them vaccinated is helpful to their health and productivity.
Prevent Birds Stress
Various factors cause stress to kienyeji chickens. These factors include loud noises, the color of the walls, new people visiting the cage, poor feeding, and changes in the location of the birds. Avoid stressing your birds, as traumatized birds are less productive.
Biosecurity
Ensure the birds’ coops are well fenced to keep thieves, predators, and other unnecessary attention from disturbing the birds. Ensure the gate is lockable. Avoid strangers visiting the improved Kienyeji farm. Security is important to avoid making losses through thefts.
Improved kienyeji chicken farming in Kenya will work well if you follow the above given steps.
Disadvantages of Kari Improved Kienyeji Chicken
Kari improved kienyeji has its cons that you need to know before getting into this business. The following are the three primary disadvantages of Kari improved kienyeji chicken:
- It Requires Maximum Capital Investment
Kari improved kienyeji needs a huge capital investment to attain maximum productivity. This capital investment caters to feeds, vaccinations, equipment, housing, etc. Due to its high capital needs, setting up a Kari improved kienyeji chicken farm is very expensive. Without enough capital, Kari improved kienyeji chickens will be less productive, leading to a farmer incurring losses.
- Do Not Sit on Eggs
Kari improved kienyeji chicken is highly known for the high productivity of eggs, but they do not brood their eggs. This calls for a farmer to incur extra costs as an incubator is needed to hatch the fertilized eggs. If the farmer lacks the incubator, the cost of having your eggs hatched in hatcheries near you is incurred.
- Less Resistant to Diseases
Unlike pure kienyeji, Kari improved kienyeji chicken is less resistant to diseases. Therefore, they require strict medical attention to prevent health deterioration or death of the birds, as these effects will only register losses to your farm. Vaccination is also important as it boosts the birds’ immunity.
Are you wondering how long it takes for improved kienyeji to start laying eggs?
It takes approximately 5 to 6 months for the improved kienyeji chicken to start laying eggs. They can produce between 200 and 280 eggs in a year. A farmer can sell eggs or chicks after they are hatched, making profits.
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