By Tallam Collins( Poultry News Africa Writer)
Over the years, broiler farming is the practice of keeping and breeding chickens purely for the production of meat which it has acquired a lot of popularity in Kenya. Many farmers in the country now find that raising broilers is a worthwhile and profitable endeavor owing to their excellent feed efficiency and quick growth. Nonetheless, thorough planning, market research, and effective farm management are necessary for success in this sector.
Kenya is recognized for its potential in agriculture in which it provides an ideal for setting and raising broilers. The Kenchic Broiler is a well-known breed in Kenyan agriculture, renowned for its quick growth and high feed consumption. In just four to five weeks, these chicks can attain their ideal market weight of 1.5 to 3 kilograms whereby they will be ready for the dinner table.
There seems to be a tremendous demand in Kenya currently for broilers, which might not be met soon.
according to Evaline Rono a broiler farmer in Baringo county Eldama Ravine constituency, whereby she has been practicing broiler farming for more than five good years she urges farmers countrywide that for one when establishing a successful broiler farming operation in Kenya, you need to have a solid business plan essential. A proper business plan helps define precise goals and objectives by pointing out potential obstacles and providing solutions. By carefully weighing factors including pricing, production costs, market demand, and sales channels, farmers may make well-informed decisions that maximize their profits.
Finding the right market is essential to the profitability of broiler farming. Finding possible buyers and establishing relationships with nearby hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, and retail stores are essential steps before starting operations. Once broilers reach maturity, farmers can guarantee a ready market for their animals by knowing the preferences and expectations of the target market. This pro -active strategy improves business sustainability by reducing the risk of unsold inventory and enabling a consistent flow of sales, added Evaline Rono.
The characteristics of Kenyan broiler chickens that are raised in Kenya, where a high percentage of farmers engage in broiler farming, are listed below:
⦁ The majority have white feathers. Experts advise that any chicken bred for meat is actually a broiler.
⦁ A mature broiler ordinarily has a 500 gram weight.
⦁ Compared to other chicken breeds, hybrid and exotic chickens are more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
⦁ Because hens and cocks both produce meat, you will keep both types of animals.
⦁ It takes 42–50 days (7 weeks) for fryers or broilers to reach maturity.
Many of the high number of farmers in kenya that got a chance to interact with our platform insisted in maintaining three ideals to enable a broiler farmer accomplishing or gain success in the process.
1. Readying of the house
Raising broilers is relatively straightforward. The entire home needs to be cleaned and outfitted with brooder rings preparatory to the chicks being brought inside. To keep the birds warm and closer to the feed and water, these rings set up in relation to the rest of the space. It’s important is to keep the waterers in the brooder rings full. As soon as the birds arrive, they are fed and watered and put into the brooder rings.
First, one feed container per 100 chicks is filled with grain using plastic feeder trays or feeder lids. To encourage young birds to eat, feed can also be spread over paper which has been placed on the ground. Take off the feeder trays or involves one by one and swap them out for the adult feeders. All of the trays and lids ought to be taken off by the time the chicks are ten days old.
2..Feeding broilers
The three most common feeding blunders are underfeeding, overfeeding, and inconsistent feeding. Considering feed represents the largest outlay for commercial poultry operations, it is crucial to buy feed from reliable millers who can guarantee feed performance and quality.
3. Lighting
Because light promotes better feather growth and strengthens body weight gain, broilers are raised in environments with 24 hours of light. For most household crafts, one or two 40-watt lamps hung over the pen will be enough.
In addition to a robust business plan and market research, maintaining accurate farming records and implementing sound accounting practices are essential in order to archieve your broiler farming activity.
By tracking expenses, income, feed consumption, and weight gain, farmers can monitor the profitability of their operations. This data provides valuable insights for optimizing feed management, adjusting pricing strategies, and identifying areas for improvement.
As broiler farming continues to gain prominence in Kenya, adopting these best practices will increase the chances of success in this dynamic industry. By combining effective planning, market knowledge, and efficient farm management, aspiring broiler farmers can tap into the vast potential of Kenya’s agricultural sector and build a thriving and profitable enterprise.
