How I Chose the Right Chicken Breed to Keep

When I first decided to venture into poultry farming, I quickly realized that choosing the right chicken breed was one of the most important decisions I would ever make. The breed you pick affects everything, from egg production and feed costs to disease resistance and profit margins.

Kari Kienyeji chicken

So, before bringing any chicks home, I rolled up my sleeves and did my homework.

🧠 Researching the Right Breed

To make an informed choice, I conducted extensive research, spoke to experienced farmers, and attended several poultry seminars. One of the most insightful sessions was conducted by Dr. Nancy from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).

After months of learning, comparing breeds, and visiting farms, I finally decided on the KARI Improved Kienyeji, a Kenyan-developed indigenous breed known for its resilience, great taste, and decent productivity.

To secure my order, I made a 10% down payment and was told to expect delivery in three months. Unfortunately, due to high demand, I waited 11 months before receiving my chicks. Still, the wait was worth it.

🐣 What Makes a Chicken “Kienyeji”?

Many people wonder: what exactly qualifies a chicken to be called Kienyeji?

Traditionally, “Kienyeji” refers to indigenous chickens raised under free-range conditions with minimal commercial feeding. However, improved indigenous breeds like the KARI Improved Kienyeji are selectively bred to perform better, even under semi-intensive management systems.

In Kenya, local chicken varieties are quite diverse and include frizzled, naked neck, barred, bearded, feather-shanked, and dwarfed types. They may look different, but they share common traits: hardiness, adaptability, and rich-tasting meat.

🥚 Comparing Breeds: Productivity vs. Practicality

From my research, I learned that while exotic breeds are more productive, they’re also more demanding and fragile.

Breed	Annual Egg Production	Key Traits
Leghorn (Exotic)	~300 eggs	High productivity but high maintenance
KARI Improved Kienyeji	220–250 eggs	Hardy, adaptable, good market demand
Kuroiler	150–200 eggs	Fast-growing, continuous laying
Traditional Indigenous	40–100 eggs	Very hardy but low productivity

As Dr. Nancy explained, the KARI Improved Kienyeji is a pure indigenous breed developed by researchers from Egerton University and KALRO — not a crossbreed. The parent birds were selected from strong indigenous stock with desirable traits, ensuring better-performing offspring.

She warned farmers against crossing improved breeds with exotic ones at home, as the resulting offspring might have unpredictable performance.

🐔 Why I Settled on KARI Improved Kienyeji

I chose this breed because it performs well under free-range conditions, which aligned with my farming style. Unfortunately, my first experience was not without challenges — all 33 of my five-month-old cocks died after being moved from confinement to free-range.

I later discovered it was likely due to fowl typhoid and coccidiosis, diseases caused by poor hygiene and lack of vaccination. That experience taught me an important lesson: even hardy indigenous birds need proper management and care.

💰 The Real Cost of Rearing Indigenous Chickens

There’s a common misconception that indigenous chicken farming is “cheap.” My experience proved otherwise.

I spent KES 102,468 in the first six months, raising 100 KARI Improved Kienyeji birds (from October 2014 to March 2015). Here’s how the costs broke down:

• Feeds (Commercial): 43%

• Transport: 11%

• Running Costs: 10%

• Labour: 10%

• Chick Purchase: 9%

• Utilities: 8%

• Miscellaneous: 6%

I didn’t start seeing profits until my second year. Poultry farming is profitable, but only if you plan for the long term and manage your costs wisely.

🎯 Final Thoughts: Choose Wisely, Farm Smart

Selecting the right chicken breed depends on your goals, management style, available resources, and target market.

👉 Choose indigenous breeds like KARI Improved Kienyeji if:

• You prefer free-range systems

• Your market values lean meat and yellow-yolk eggs

• You want birds with higher disease resistance

However, be patient, indigenous breeds mature more slowly (4.5 to 6 months) compared to broilers that mature in just 8 weeks.

Poultry farming isn’t a get-rich-quick venture, but with research, planning, and good management, it can become a rewarding and sustainable business.

Have you tried keeping Kienyeji or Kuroiler chickens? Share your experience in the comments below.