Millions of birds are raised for food in Kenya thanks to the poultry industry, which significantly boosts the nation’s GDP. However, because native breeds are limited, many farmers find it difficult to optimize their income.
In order to tackle this issue, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has created the “KALRO improved Kienyeji chicken.” This new variety offers farmer’s significant benefits since it matures more quickly, produces more eggs, and is resistant to illness.
Increased Productivity
Unlike regular indigenous chickens, which take six months to grow, the KALRO enhanced Kienyeji matures in just four and a half months. For farmers, this means faster returns on their investment.
This breed is also very good at producing eggs. The KALRO type lays an astounding 280 eggs annually, compared to the average kienyeji’s 80 eggs. Furthermore, these eggs are bigger than typical—weighing 60 grams as opposed to the 30-gram average of native eggs.
Reduced Costs and Improved Health
Diseases that affect poultry can ruin flocks and put a financial burden on farmers. Fortunately, the KALRO-enhanced breed exhibits a high level of illness resistance, limiting the need for costly treatments and lowering the possibility of losing birds.
A large amount of the costs associated with raising chickens are frequently related to feeding. KALRO created a very nutritious and affordable Utafiti feed to assist farmers in overcoming this obstacle. Furthermore, by avoiding spills, the creative “Naivasha long feeder” trough reduces feed waste.
KALRO is dedicated to more than just producing top-notch chicken breeds. To give farmers important skills in feed manufacturing, formulation, and storage, they offer a four-day training session. With this knowledge, farmers can lower production costs even further—some have been able to cut costs by an astounding 30%.
Investing in Your Future
For anyone in Kenya who would like to begin raising chickens, KALRO provides day-old chicks for Sh. 110 and one-month-old chicks for Sh. 280. Mature cocks are available for Sh. 1,400 for farmers looking to improve their current breeds.
For Kenyans, poultry farming offers a very attractive prospect. Compared to larger cattle, it is less labor-intensive, more affordable, and feasible in tiny spaces, which makes it a good option for urban settings. The upgraded Kienyeji chicken produced by KALRO and their commitment to farmer empowerment make poultry farming a highly promising sector for Kenya’s food security and economic development.
