Become an outstanding pig farmer today and learn how you can easily make millions from pig farming. It is doable, many have done it and you can also join successful pig farmers in Kenya from scratch.
Pig farming in Kenya is one of the legit agricultural businesses and here is a complete pig farming for beginners guide that can push you to the next level of success. It is important to note that pig farming is not a get rich quick scam.
How To Make Millions From Pig Farming In Kenya
Farming needs patience and hard work for you to make thousands and even millions from the business. The business is highly lucrative when all factors have been put in place and you can easily grow from a small-scale farm through large-scale farming within a short period.
It is because a single pig can give birth to at least 10 piglets. Also, the pig can give birth twice a year since the pig gestation period is three months. Thus, with a single well-attended pig you can get at least 20 piglets a year.
Let’s do a simple math. A pregnant pig cost in Kenya an average of Ksh. 40,000. Hamphire and Duroc breed sow sells for Ksh. 45,000, while Large White sow sells for Ksh. 40,000. Imagine having 20 expectant pigs and you get the market?
Keep in mind that pig farming needs money. However, do not worry if you have no capital as long as you have the right plan. Read more about Grants For Pig Farming In Kenya To Apply Now | Full Funding
Here is what it takes to do pig farming business to millionaire level from scratch.
Getting Started With Pig Farming
This is how to start a pig farming business, be sure to do the following:
- Choose a suitable location
- Chooses a suitable breed for the farming practice
- Come up with a plan defining the business and management
- Ensure you have enough funds to start and maintain the business
- Identify the kind of housing structure you are going to use for pig keeping
- The housing structure should have an expansion plan to avoid overcrowding
- Research the availability of construction materials with their prices.
- The type of housing structure and breed species determines the kind of equipment be used in servicing the pigs.
- Find a trusted and reliable feed supplier to ensure the pig feeds are always available when needed.
- Find laborers to help you manage the pigs if need be.
- Locate a qualified and trusted veterinary officer who can help with pig vaccination and another medical emergency.
- Find a trusted pig breeder and purchase your first pigs to begin the business.
Beginner farmers are advised to find a good location for their pigs. The most preferred places by many farmers are in the rural residents.
The location should be:
- Free from noise pollution and dust from demolitions.
- Accessible to the road for easy transport of the animals and other products.
- Water supply should be from a reliable source for efficient hydration
- Free from pests and predators
More elaboration can be found here Pig Farming Requirements In Kenya For A Thriving Business
Pig Housing Structure
Pigs need to be up in spacious houses with proper ventilation who reduce the risk of contracting diseases. High hygienic conditions need to be observed to maintain good environmental health hazards to the pigs. The houses should be cleaned with a lot of clean water and disinfected frequently to keep the pigs in check.
Read more on Pig Housing Structures In Kenya You Should Know About
Selection Of Pigs To Rear
Factors to consider when selecting the pigs for rearing the pigs;
- Should have a good health status health status
- Should have a high production quality of not less than a litter of 10 piglets per farrow
- Should have a favorable farm performance
- Should have a good growth rate
- Should be free from lameness and other defects
- The breed be friendly without aggressive characters
- The breed should have a good body structure for better levels of meat production.
- The sow breed should have a good adaptation heat to avoid delayed mating during hot climatic seasons.
If you have little knowledge on the best breed to rear, then find more details on pig breeds in Kenya.
Pig Farming Feeding Program To Practice
Most farmers venture into full-time pig farming since pigs require close monitoring to avoid low productivity. Although locally reared pigs can literarily feed on almost anything, there are feeds that farmers literally should avoid exposing their pigs to.
Popular balanced diet pig feeds include:
a. Sweets And High-Sugar Foods
High sugared foods slow the growth process of pigs to maturity
b. Fish, Milk, And Meat
The foods are rich in proteins but can contain different viruses that may cause harm to the pig’s health.
c. Fruits
Most fruits harbor harmful substances that are released upon chewing such as amygdalin that causes pigs to suffer from discomfort and illnesses and death if not attended to early.
d. Potatoes
Potatoes naturally produce solanine, a substance that leads to the destruction of red blood cells, heart failure, and mostly diarrhea. The potatoes also have glycoalkaloids, a toxin that causes the pigs to suffer from severe stomach pain that can result in death if not attended to urgently.
Piglets’ Feeds
Farmers are advised to allow piglets to breastfeed for up to 8 weeks. However, they should slowly from 12 days old while observing high standards of hygiene.
Table showing feeding progress as the pigs at different growth stage
| Pig’s Stage of Growth | Pig Food Ratio |
| Piglets from 12 days old | Fed twice a day on creep feed At least 300g per day Food’s rich in energy content |
| Pig weaning | Feeds transition phase should be well observed from creep feeds. The creep feed portion should be increased up to 3 times the previous ratio Raw vegetable, cereals proteins and energy foods can be introduced slowly Clean and fresh water is necessary |
| Growers’ feeds | Increased energy and proteins in feeds Feeds should be at least 1.2 kg per day The feed can include barley, wheat, soya and grape meals. |
| Finishers feeds | The pigs should on about 170kg to 180 kg per day The pigs should have a live weight of at least 40kg High protein high energy level feeds Pigs can feed on bakery by products, crisps, rapeseeds extracts, soya, beans, wheat, wheat feed and barley. |
Laborers For Pig Farming
All the employees to work in the piggeries need to be imparted with knowledge and skills needed in pig handling. They also should be taught how to use the operational equipment, to avoid misuse and miscalculation. The employers should be provided with protective clothing to put on when attending to their duties in the piggeries.
Marketing Of Pigs And Its Products
Pig farming in Kenya has not established business with a specified ready market. However, the emergence of production companies in pork products has emerged with a high demand for pork. Thus, you can sell your pigs to
Companies.
Companies like farmers choice in Nairobi is known to produce a variety of pork products. The company process the pigs into finished products of Sausages, ham, burgers, bacon, and other products. However, you must be a large scale farmer to be considered as one of their supplier.
Slaughterhouses
Most slaughterhouses buy pigs from both small scale and large scale farmers. There are several slaughterhouses in Kenya where most farmers sell their pigs in bulk.
Some of the slaughterhouse include
- Kabati in Murang’a,
- Ndumbu-ini in Kiambu,
- Lytano in Nairobi, among others.
Local Butchers
The option is most suitable for small scale pig farmers where you can easily sell your pig to your local community.
Entertainment Joints
Entertainment joints that serve pork can be a great place to sell your pig. You simply have to contact the management and strike a deal.
Conclusion
Pig farming in Kenya is an expensive business to establish for commercial purposes. However, small-scale farmers can start rearing as less as 2 sow pigs which can, in turn, reproduce not less than 40, pigs. Proper planning and management are encouraged to all pig farmers for effective results.a
