Farmers across the country have now focused on raising improved kienyeji chickens compared to the other kienyeji breeds. The advantages of the improved kienyeji are that they are quick at gaining weight, are good at laying many eggs, are resistant to diseases, and tend to grow fast. These are some of the advantages that make many farmers venture into rearing the improved kienyeji chickens.
In addition, the improved kienyeji can hatch through incubators, thus reducing the cost of purchasing a breed from monopolies.
The price of improved kienyeji chicken in Kenya retails at an average of Ksh.260 for a 4-week old chicken. On the other hand, if you are interested in starting with a day-old chick, you can easily purchase it starting at Ksh.80. After that, you can raise it until it reaches the desired age.
Kienyeji chicken prices will vary depending on the age of the chicken and the place you are purchasing them from. For instance, Kienyeji chicken prices in Nairobi may go up to Ksh. 1,000 for a mature chicken.
How to Start Rearing Improved Kienyeji Chickens
There are 10 things to consider before starting to rear improved kienyeji chickens:
Find Capital
Before you start rearing improved kienyeji chickens, you need to find the required capital. The initial capital raised will help you buy the required equipment and facilities that will get you going. However, it is recommended that you raise enough capital to be sure of smooth running. You have to ensure that the money used will result in profits afterward.
Draft a Business Plan
A business plan is an important requirement before starting any business, i.e., raising improved kienyeji chickens. The plan will help the business be orderly and therefore result in fewer risks. The plan will entail the required capital, then the estimation of equipment required, and the farm’s name. With a business plan, you can be sure of a successful business.
Find Market for Your End Products
After rearing your chicken over a certain period, the market is always the next place to take them. Therefore, as you are about to begin the activity, you need to find a market for your products. Finding the market will motivate you and make you work towards achieving better results. At the market, you will be able to sell your commodities at your own desired price.
Find Enough Land
If you have focused on large-scale improved kienyeji chicken farming, you need to find a large piece of land. With the large portion, you will be able to expand your farm, hence maximizing your profits. On the other hand, if you have a fixed budget, you can always start rearing the chicken on a small piece of land and expand into a larger one later.
Purchase Feed
The weight of the chicken is what matters when it comes to market demand. Now the question is, how do you improve their weight? As a farmer, you are responsible for feeding your chickens with the required feed. It would be best if you gave the feed regularly for better results. One of the good things about the feed is that you can purchase it at very low and affordable prices.
Have Disease Controlling Procedures
Your chicken must stay healthy every time. As an improved kienyeji chicken farmer, you have to follow vaccination procedures. If the chicks reach the desired deworming age, you have to deworm them. Also, there is a need for you to find a veterinary doctor for the activity. As your birds are healthy, there are increased chances of you earning a lot by the end of a particular sale period.
Housing
Improved kienyeji chickens need suitable housing for them to survive. Hence, it would help if you considered building them a spacious house that is well ventilated and warm. A good housing system will then increase productivity. Also, it would be best if you improved the house’s hygiene by carrying out cleaning procedures regularly.
The Location of the Farm
To cut the cost of transportation of your end products, you need to locate your farm near the market. In addition, when the market is located near the farm, there are higher chances of increased demand for products. On the other hand, if the farm is far away from the market, then transportation costs tend to increase.
Buy Equipment Like Chicken Feeders
The reason for purchasing chicken feeders is to minimize food wastage. When the wastage is minimized, there is an assurance that the chickens will eat to their maximum. This, in turn, will result in faster growth and weight gain.
Decide on the Rearing Method
You can decide on what method you want to use for rearing your birds. For instance, you can choose whether you breed them on a free-range basis or in barns. The methods, however, depend on your position and decisions as a farmer.
How Long Does Improved Kienyeji Chicken take to Mature?
Improved kienyeji chickens are considered ready for market when they are 3 months old. That age will enable the farmer to sell the chickens at a perfect market price.
The cost of rearing 100 kienyeji chickens in Kenya is about Ksh. 9,000 on average.
Some places where you can sell kienyeji chicken in Kenya include:
- Kienyeji Chicken.
- Kari Improved Kienyeji Chicken.
- Ziwani Poultry.
- Kenol Chicks Limited.
Kenchic limited, Meru poultry center, Merulands poultry center, and Kwetu poultry farm are where to buy improved kienyeji chicken in Meru.
Kari Improved Kienyeji Chicken
There are a lot of places to buy Kari improved kienyeji chicken in Nairobi. Some of these common places include Kari Improved Kienyeji Chicken and Kienyeji Chicken.
Some places where you can buy Kari improved kienyeji chicken in Eldoret are: leelkina, kukuchic Limited, and Kenchic Eldoret poultry center, among others.
Disadvantages of Kari Improved Kienyeji Chicken
Here are 3 disadvantages of Kari improved kienyeji chickens:
- It requires much capital to start rearing them.
- They are less resistant to diseases.
- It doesn’t brood its eggs.
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