NATURAL ORGANIC KIENYEJI CHICKEN FEED

Termites are a very nutritious source of protein for chicken. Most of the times chicken find termites while foraging under logs or tree barks on the ground. This is when your chicken is kept on the free-range system. But what about those who keep their kienyeji chicken using different systems? You may be using a different system of keeping your chicken, maybe because of space, finances, or just what you like. Termites would be a perfect addition to the diet of your chicken and are great to add to your kienyeji chicken feed. It’s not hard to prepare a termite bucket or catch termites; here is how;

How to Grow Termites.

• You will start by searching for an old container or bucket;

Best to look for something made out of wood or a pot. The idea is to have container housing for the termites that is suitable enough for the growth of the termites. The termites require cool and moisturized conditions. Hence, your container should be capable of maintaining moisture and cool temperature. Plastic material is incapable of maintaining these conditions, so stay away from it.

• Collect dry organic matter and put it in the bucket or container

Dry organic matter that can be used includes dry leaves, dry dung, or any dry tree barks. Be careful not to mix this dry material with any form of wet material in the container, this will hinder the process of comfortable growth of the termites. While putting the dry matter in the container, put it in layers with soil. Thereafter, place the container or pot in a shaded area with its mouth placed directly on the soil. This area should be free from any distractions, access by animals or people. The pot or container should then be left for three or four days before opening up the container from the ground… Be patient! In hot areas, or hot days, it will be good to sprinkle a little water on the outside of the pot from time to time. Always remember that the pot must be cool and moist for the termites to easily grow.

So here is the simple step by step process to grow termites for your kienyeji chicken at home;

1. Source for a container medium where the termites will grow; a pot or wooden one.
2. Make sure the container is capable of retaining moisture within it and keep its inside cool.
3. Look for a dry organic matter like wood shavings, dry leaves, or dry tree barks.
4. Make sure that the dry organic matter is completely dry by sun drying.
5. Look for some topsoil.
6. Insert the dry organic matter into the container in layers with the topsoil.
7. Overturn the container on soil in a secluded area, behind a house, or in an area that has minimal to no disturbance.
8. Water the outside of the container during hot days from time to time.
9. Wait for three to four days.

AFTER THREE TO FOUR DAYS.

After the long wait, you must be excited to see the colony of termites that you created! The termite colony may or may not be successful depending on whether your container was suitable enough and whether the weather conditions were suitable enough for the termites to grow.

Three to four days after setting up your termite bucket, gently overturn the bucket to confirm if any termites have actually formed. If none has formed, then put the container back in its original state overturned, and wait for another day before checking. Do not be discouraged though, just continue sprinkling water on the back of your container and wait for the results.

If you overturn the container or pot and find lots of termites, then it will be your happy day! For this type of insect, it would be advised to let your chicken out for some fresh air so that they would easily access the termites. This is because capturing these termites will be extremely difficult for you since they run away from the light. You can however sieve the termites into a separate container for your enclosed chicken-like broilers.

HAPPY CHICKEN!

Termites are good and nutritious kienyeji chicken feed. Your chicken will most definitely like to squander for each and every termite they find. It is a healthy option for your chicken since the termites are full of crude protein which helps in the weight gain of your chicken.

So have another go at it! This time, you could use a larger container or more organic material to make more termites for your kienyeji chicken. Learning is a continuous process and experience is practically the best teacher.