A success in poultry Farming

Maua,

Sunday September 24, 2023,

KNA by Kamanja Maeria and Jackline Mukami

In a place where agriculture is the backbone of the community, innovative farming practices are continually emerging.

However, chick farming which has emerged as a promising venture, drawing both seasoned farmers and enthusiastic newcomers is not a new concept in Igembe South, Meru County.

For generations, families have kept chicken in their backyards, relying on them for eggs, meat, and as an additional source of income.

However, it wasn't until a group of forward-thinking individuals, including local farmers and agricultural experts, decided to transform this old age practice into a sustainable, community-wide venture that chick farming truly began to flourish.

Meet Marion Kinya, a 45-year-old farmer whose journey into chick farming began seven years ago. With limited space and resources, Marion decided to explore the potential of poultry farming as a sustainable source of income for her family.

"Igembe South has the perfect climate for rearing chicken," she remarks, gesturing towards the clear blue skies above.

"The key is dedication and learning from others.” she adds.

She says that her chicken house is well suited for one day old chicks, since they are always delivered to them immediately after hatching. 

 Kinya revealed that she rears the one-day old chick until after one week then she vaccinates them with the Newcastle 500ml vaccine which costs Sh750.

Later on, after two weeks she vaccinates them with Gumboro 500ml worth Sh550. The vaccines protect the chicks which are prone to diseases like chronic respiratory disease that tend to attack chicks often.

The room is well ventilated with bulbs that serve as lighting systems and at the same time serve as a source of warmth for the chicks. This helps the one-day old chick get warmth and develop feathers.

Kinya says that they are fully equipped with feeding equipment to meet the needs of a small chicks with each chick occupying one feeding hole. She places stones at the sides of the drinking containers to prevent the chicks from overturning the containers and getting wet.

The poultry farmer noted that with the increase in the price of chick feeds, the chick’s prices are also escalating with one day white broilers chicks going for Sh95 while the improved kienyeji ones go for Sh115 each, compared to earlier prices which ranged between Sh50 and Sh100 for both kienyeji and broiler chicks.

 She stated that weather change is among the challenges she encounters in her venture whereby during the cold seasons chicks are affected by cold and some end up succumbing to the cold. To avoid this she ensures that the chicks’ house is well lit and covered so that there is enough warmth for them to thrive.

Kinya is just one of many locals who have ventured into chick farming whose impact transcends individual households since its becoming a source of collective growth for communities.

Local cooperatives have sprouted up, allowing farmers to pool resources and expertise. These cooperatives facilitate bulk purchases of feeds, vaccines, and even incubators, making it more cost-effective for smallholders to participate in chick farming.

It is always every farmer’s dream to succeed in whatever they are doing. In this case, for instance, farmers require chicken feed such as layer feeds, chick starters and growers to increase their productivity in order to have healthy chicken and an assurance of higher profits in the end.

In Kinya’s case she uses Fast Gro Fugo Starter Crumbs which is a complete meal for broiler chicks as it provides proper bone development for faster and uniform growth as well as resistance to feed borne diseases while maintaining a high growth rate.

“In most cases, chick starter crumbs are fed to chicks aged between 0–4 weeks, while Fugo Finisher Pellets on the other hand, is provided to chickens aged between 4–20 weeks,’’ said Kinya, adding that by following these simple feeding procedures, you are sure to earn a lot more from the money you initially spent.

It will cost an average of Sh3, 500 to purchase starter crumbs feed of 50kgs, fed to broilers aged between 0–4 weeks and Sh.3, 700 to purchase a Fugo Finisher Pellet 50kgs bag, provided to broilers aged between 4-20 weeks.

“As a farmer no matter the price of feed, you should consider giving your broilers the best feed. This will have a significant impact in terms of the maximization of profits,’’ she said.

She acknowledged the success of her business venture which is a source of income for her and her family's well being. This has made her popular with everyone in the area wishes to purchase her chicks due to the care she gives them.

“Since chick feed is primarily rich in proteins, they facilitate faster growth. The more your chicks consume a good amount of feed, the higher the chances of it having a good weight, thus reaching the market requirements,'' said Kinya, adding that if your chicks are primarily for meat production, then you have to feed them well for them to be tasty so that you can have a chance to sell them at a good price.

She divulged that her chicks are ready for sale after two weeks with the white broiler chicks going for Sh 250 while the improved kienyeji chicks go for Sh.300.

‘’In 3 days’ time I am always done selling them and preparing to get orders for others,” she revealed.

However, she lamented that recently due to the high cost of living, it’s challenging to get buyers in time which makes her over spend on their feeds, since as they grow bigger, their feeding consumption increases as well.

Ezekiel Munene also a chicken farmer in Ankamia Igembe south sub county says that the venture has seen him make makes ends meet.

The renowned chicken dealer who owns over two thousand chickens in his farm told KNA that he has never regretted quitting his job as an accountant and procurement officer for the venture.

Munene boasts of producing around 75 trays of eggs per day, which he supplies to schools, supermarkets and various retail shops, while he sells grown chicken between Sh 700 and Sh1500 depending on the size.

He urged youths, especially graduates who are unemployed to venture into the business field rather than relying on the scarce white-collar jobs.

''Business is a sure bet; do not stay home waiting for the government's job offer, with little capital, commitment and resilient you can make your dreams come true through venturing in business,'' he opined. 

Courtesy; KNA