The Kienyeji chicken is the common chicken breed found across different villages in Kenya. They are known for sitting on their eggs after laying quite a number. Many farmers have focused on raising this kienyeji chicken for many reasons.
Some of the benefits of kienyeji chicken are that they can survive different conditions, you can use them for both meat and egg production, and they are easy to manage and control. Those are some of the factors that make the kienyeji chicken be reared all over the country.
Kienyeji chickens lay about 15 to 20 eggs on average. Afterward, they sit on the eggs and take care of the chicks. They tend to take care of them until they reach about one and a half months. After that period, they lay eggs again, and the cycle continues.
Is Keeping Kienyeji Chicken Profitable in Kenya?
Yes. Keeping kienyeji chickens is profitable in Kenya. As a kienyeji chicken farmer, you can earn up to 47 to 50 percent of the initial cost used to begin the business. The farming business will also be more profitable if the required procedures are followed.
Why is Keeping Kienyeji Chicken Profitable?
Here are six reasons why keeping Kienyeji chickens is profitable in Kenya:
1. Low Capital is Required
The capital required to start keeping kienyeji chickens is low. One can begin a kienyeji chicken farm with a small number of chickens and succeed. Since the capital needed to start is low, you, as a farmer, can use the remaining money for other expenses. Afterward, the profits earned will be higher than the initial cost incurred for starting the business.
2. There is High Market Demand
The availability of high demand makes keeping kienyeji chicken profitable. After your products are ready, there are higher chances that you will sell them at a faster rate. In addition, the rise of major hotels, egg production, and meat production companies also plays a significant role in terms of demand. As a farmer, you will be able to sell your products at your desired price, thus making them profitable.
3. Low Maintenance Cost
The cost required for maintaining kienyeji is low, thus one of the advantages of keeping them. For instance, you can feed Kienyeji chickens with kitchen scraps and the table remains until they attain the required age. This makes it profitable after selling since you would not have spent much on the feed.
4. Serves Different Purposes
Kienyeji chickens can serve different purposes. For instance, you can use chicken for both meat and egg production. As a farmer, you can sell their meat after your chickens are done laying eggs and still earn a lot of money. So yes, keeping kienyeji chicken is profitable.
5. Availability of Feed
Since food is an essential factor for any living thing, there is a need for you to feed your chicken. Kienyeji chicken feed is widely available across the country. In addition, the feed is cheap. Feeding the kienyeji chickens well will lead to faster growth, thus increasing the selling prices.
6. Fast Growth Ability
Kienyeji chicken tends to grow at a high-speed rate. This makes the business profitable because you will be able to sell your chicken several times as you invest in the others. Typically, the chicken can lay up to 20 eggs and sit on them. After less than a month or two, they tend to lay eggs again and sit on them. So, yes, rearing kienyeji chickens is a profitable business.
How Do I Get My Kienyeji Chicken to Lay More Eggs?
To have your kienyeji chicken lay more pure kienyeji eggs, there are some procedures that you have to follow. In this review, I am going to list and explain three things to do to increase your kienyeji chicken’s egg production:
- Provide Artificial Daylight
You need to expose your chicken to light by using a low-wattage bulb. This, in turn, increases the chicken’s exposure to light, thus increasing egg production. However, their exposure to light should not exceed 16 hours.
- Feed Them with Cracked Eggs and Eggshells
This is also a way of making your chicken increase the rate of laying eggs. The eggs fed to them have a high protein value, thus leading to an increment in the production rate. In addition, if the chickens have a taste for raw eggs, they won’t stop laying the eggs.
- Handle Your Chicken Properly
The way you handle your birds matters a lot in egg production. Your birds have to be in a calm environment without being disturbed. This then makes them stress-free, thus leading to an increment in productivity.
How to Rear Kienyeji Chickens for Eggs
Raising kienyeji chickens for eggs isn’t as difficult as you may think. However, it would be best if you took some things into consideration. Here are five things to consider before raising a chicken:
- Have a business plan.
- Have the required capital.
- Have a good breed of kienyeji chicken.
- Have suitable housing for them.
- Buy the necessary equipment.
Kienyeji Chicken Feeding Program
The Kienyeji chicken feeding program has to be followed for better productivity results. For instance,
- a day to 8 weeks, the chickens have to be fed with chick mash.
- At 8 to 19 weeks, growers mash.
- After 19 weeks the chickens are fed layers mash.
By following this program, you will be a successful kienyeji chicken farmer.
Commonly Asked Questions
How much is kienyeji chicken in Kenya?
The prices vary widely depending on where you are purchasing from and the size of the chicken. However, for as low as Ksh.260, you can get a Kienyeji chicken.
What is the cost of rearing 100 kienyeji chickens?
The cost of rearing 100 kienyeji chickens in Kenya may vary depending on how you want them to be bred. However, you can begin raising them with as little as Ksh. 65,000.
How long does it take for the improved kienyeji chicken to lay eggs?
Usually, it takes about 5 months for improved kienyeji chicken to start laying eggs.
How many eggs does a kenbro lay in a year?
Typically, a mature kenbro will lay 20 to 25 eggs per month. So, do the math. You will be able to make a lot of profits in a year.
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