My Backyard Chickens

KIENYEJI CHICKEN FARMING: HOW TO SUCCEED?

Improved Kienyeji chicken breeds

Success does not come easy especially in kienyeji chicken farming. Most of the businesses in the world have been proven to be successful by the amount of money they make at the end of the day and the impact they have in their respective markets. So how can you be one of those who succeed in the kienyeji chicken farming business?

Improved kienyeji chicken breeds are chicken that has been developed to ‘be better than the local chicken. These breeds have been proven to be of higher quality than the local chicken in more than enough areas. Productivity, rate of growth, and even resistance to diseases. There are a few improved kienyeji chicken breeds that I know of. Each of them has separate qualities that have made them be preferred by their respective farmers. Examples of these improved breeds are;

 

Improved Kienyeji chicken qualities and characteristics

Chickens, Birds, Poultry, Rooster, HenThese chicken have been developed to be more productive and more resistant to disease. This has greatly helped farmers’ businesses by helping them to cut costs and make more profit with less and less input. Some of the qualities and characteristics of improved kienyeji chicken with comparison to the local chicken are;

  1. They lay more eggs.
  2. Improved Kienyeji Chicken gains weight faster.
  3. They are relatively more resistant to disease.

These are just a few qualities that have generally been discovered by farmers all around Kenya. Other qualities like better quality and taste of meat are subject to controversy… everyone has a different opinion on it!

 

Improved kienyeji chicken-keeping practices

Chicken, Hen, Eggs, Poultry, Animal

  • Housing

This is the most important aspect of keeping your chicken. Where do they sleep? This is greatly affected by the system that you choose to keep your improved kienyeji chicken. Some of the systems of keeping improved kienyeji chicken are;

  • Deep Litter System
  • Free-Range System

Both of these systems are fully dependent on the farmer’s preference or finances. These systems can also be combined according to the liking of the farmer. For example; you can keep your improved kienyeji chicken under the deep litter system from morning up to noon and let them free range the rest of the day.

So when it comes to housing, simply use the space that you have to create a well-ventilated coop for your improved kienyeji chicken. There is no definitive blueprint for how to build your chicken coop. All you have to do is be creative, use what you have and keep it clean at all times!

  • Feeding

Feeding your chicken is marked as the most important part of kienyeji chicken farming. What you feed your kienyeji chicken is naturally what they become. Right from when they are day-old chicks, be careful what you give to your chicken. Certified commercial feeds are by far the best feeds to give to your improved kienyeji chicken, however, they are a bit expensive for the start-up farmer looking to succeed. There are methods of creating nutritious feed for your chicken at home. Try home-mixed feed!

  • Vaccination

Keeping your chicken free from disease may be secondary or tertiary but once you start receiving loss, you will discover that it is actually the most important. All chickens are vulnerable and susceptible to disease. Bacterial infections and viruses have caused great losses to small-scale and even large-scale poultry farmers. Observe your vaccination schedule like it is your Business Bible. It is very important in kienyeji chicken farming.

Here is how you can personally succeed at improved kienyeji chicken farming even before starting out;

  • READ ABOUT IT;

Improved kienyeji chicken farming is a new form of poultry farming. Chicken breeds have been developed to be more productive than the common local chicken, so this is an advantage to the farmer. There is more than enough information even on this blog on the improved kienyeji chicken. Reading about it makes you develop a passion for it and maintain focus on it to succeed.

  • CREATE A PLAN;

Planning naturally sets you up for success, no matter what. Despite going through a loss after planning, one can understand what step caused the loss. Create a plan for your improved kienyeji chicken business. This plan should and must include a daily record of your kienyeji chicken practices so as not to go astray. The advantage of having a clear plan is that you understand and have a roadmap to an ultimate goal which is a success.

  • HAVE A STRATEGY;

Strategy is important when it comes to the kienyeji chicken business. What is the essential goal of your business? It is most definitely to make money at the end of the day because it is a business. But at what stage would you like to make this money, how would you like to make this money and from whom are you making this money? Have a clear strategy.

  • CUT DOWN COSTS;

Basically, a cost is money used to acquire items used to grow or develop your kienyeji chicken business. The goal in every business is to directly cut down costs. Be it productive, or period costs. Some of the costs that have to be taken care of by a typical kienyeji chicken farmer are,

  • Feed costs
  • Vaccination and Supplements Costs
  • Housing Costs

The best way to cut down costs is by being extremely aware of the resources that you use in your business. That way, you will be successful. Take note that the information available on the internet on ways of cutting down costs in the kienyeji chicken business is very helpful.

  • BE ACCOUNTABLE AND KEEP TRACK;

Being accountable and keeping records helps to cut down costs greatly. It is also a great way of understanding your growth as a kienyeji chicken farmer. By keeping a record, you are naturally aware of everything that is being used on your farm. Record keeping gives you a greater picture of how you can scale your kienyeji chicken business even in the future.

  • MAKE MISTAKES AND GROW;

Losing in the kienyeji chicken business as a beginner can be quite discouraging. It is even worse when one individually develops a connection with the chicken and calamity or disease strikes. Take heart once you lose and remember that experience is the best teacher. Once you have gotten the hang of it in terms of vaccination and cutting down on costs, grow your business and read another article on this blog!

 

Agripreneur

Desmond Wekesa is the director of Agripreneur, with experience in new methods of farming and digital marketing. His background in digital marketing informs his mindful but competitive approach in the online-agriculture space. Desmond is fueled by his passion for understanding the best methods to network and achieve ones goals of advertising. He considers himself a ‘forever student,’ eager to both build on his knowledge in agriculture and stay in tune with the latest digital marketing strategies through continued hard work. You can email him HERE.