Kienyeji is an indigenous chicken breed in Kenya with a dual purpose, reared for both eggs and meat. The Kienyeji breed is considered a goldmine as it is resistant to diseases and can survive adverse conditions, making its rearing cheaper than layers or broilers. The Kienyeji chicken business is a lucrative venture in Kenya. You can achieve financial freedom by rearing kienyeji chickens for commercial purposes.
It takes 16 weeks to 24 weeks for kienyeji chickens to mature. Some breeds mature slowly while others mature faster. Therefore, it is important to select the breed that matures faster to start selling returns. Improved kienyeji, which is primarily reared for meat, takes an average of roughly three months to mature and be ready for sale.
Perhaps you want to know how long it takes for a kienyeji chicken to start laying eggs? A kienyeji chicken takes 5 to 6 months to start laying eggs. They can produce an average of 250 eggs per annum. This is a good number as they always hatch strong chicks. You can also sell eggs to generate income.
Kienyeji Feeding Chart
Below is a table showing the feeding program of a kienyeji chicken based on age and feed intake for a day.
| Age | Feed Intake in a Day |
| 1 week | 12-15 grams |
| 2 weeks | 15-20 grams |
| 3 weeks | 20- 35 grams |
| 4-6 weeks | 35-50 grams |
| 7-8 weeks | 55-60 grams |
| 9-15 weeks | 62- 67 grams |
| 16-27 weeks | 68- 80 grams |
| Above 28 weeks | 120- 140 grams |
This is a feeding program of one kienyeji chicken per day. Remember to feed them with the right type of feed, such as chick mash for chickens under eight weeks of age. Growers mash for chickens older than eight weeks, and layers mash for chickens that have started laying eggs. Supplement these feeds with other nutritive feeds for a faster growth rate.
How Can I Make My Kienyeji Chicken Grow and Mature Faster?
It is simple to make your kienyeji grow and mature faster. Here is an 8-step guidelines that will help in making your kienyeji chicken grow faster:
1. Use Feeders
Feeders are used for putting out feed for the birds. Feeders are essential as they help minimize food wastage. Besides, it is easier to measure the amount of feed your birds can consume in a day.
2. Use Waterers
Water is a basic requirement for proper digestion. Waterers are used for putting drinking water out for your birds. Ensure you put clean water in clean waterers for proper hygiene.
3. Providing the Correct Amount and Type of Feed
The type of feed given to your birds determines the growth rate. The proper amount of feed is crucial for feeding kienyeji chickens. Ensure you get your feeds from a well-recognized agro vet to avoid feeding your birds with non-nutritive feeds. Add some greens for your birds as they provide vitamins.
4. Vaccination
Follow a vaccination plan strictly to prevent your birds from being attacked by deadly outbreak diseases. Vaccination helps create a strong immunity that helps fight diseases without the birds dying.
5. Proper Hygiene
Cleanliness is key when raising kienyeji chickens. Ensure the chicken structures are cleaned regularly to avoid creating a room for breeding parasites. Parasites cause infection in your birds, which is costly to treat.
6. Separation of Birds
Kienyeji birds should not be placed in one room as young chickens may be harassed by older ones. Separation of the birds based on their age groups and body size helps the farmer administer the right type of feed in the correct amount. This ensures the faster growth of birds. Separation also helps to avoid overcrowding.
7. Regular Check-Up
A veterinary should visit your farm regularly so that they can enlighten you on what to do in case of any defect detected in your birds. Besides, your birds will maintain good health by producing high-quality products.
8. Build Good Housing Structures
A good housing structure is always free from floods, extreme weather conditions, predators, and parasites. Partition the birds’ housing structure to avoid all birds being in one place. Besides, good housing safeguards your birds’, thus minimizing stress and ensuring a high growth rate.
How Much is a Kienyeji Chicken
Are you curious to know how much a kienyeji chicken costs in Kenya? A fully grown kienyeji chicken earns you between Ksh. 800 and Ksh. 2,000. This is a good amount of money per bird. Kienyeji chickens are considered tasty and sweet and are used as food for various occasions.
A farmer earns maximum profits during Christmas Eve as there is a high demand for kienyeji chicken.
Cost of Rearing 100 Kienyeji Chicken in Kenya
The cost of rearing 100 kienyeji chickens is approximately Ksh. 100,000. This cost caters for all the expenses, including feeds, medication, structure, and other equipment. Allocate your money properly to avoid wasting cash on unnecessary items. Proper budgeting helps you earn more returns, thus reducing losses on your farm.
Where to Buy Kienyeji Chicken
The following are places where you can get kienyeji in Kenya:
- Kari Improved Kienyeji Chicken in Nairobi.
- Ecochicks Limited in Wakulima House, KPCU 1st Floor.
- Beth’s Kuku Retail in Kasarani.
- Poultry Hub Kenya, along Maasai Road.
- Chicksverse Poultry Kenya at Umoja along Kangundo Road.
- Adweek Chicks at Thika.
- Ziwani Poultry in Nairobi.
Conclusion
The growth rate and maturity of the kienyeji chicken are important in this agribusiness. Early maturity ensures returns at an early stage, making you reach your goal in no time. Therefore, selecting the best kienyeji breeds enables the birds to mature faster and keep the birds in healthy conditions. Healthy birds increase your income as you will sell high-quality and quantity-oriented products.
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