Success Story of a Poultry Farmer Doing “Telephone Farming”

The idea of starting a side hustle while working full-time is appealing to many, and farming often tops the list. The plan is simple: put in extra hours, stabilize the business quickly, and by the time you leave your full-time job, the venture is beyond the incubation stage.

For me, this approach has taken the form of “telephone farming”, running my poultry farms remotely via mobile phone. It’s challenging, sometimes frustrating, and the returns can be minimal. But over a year into this journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about trust, verification, and persistence.

My Telephone Farming Journey

I manage poultry farms in Busia and Nairobi, issuing instructions through calls and SMS. My Nairobi farm, located in Njiru, houses nearly 1,000 birds, while in Busia, I started with 104 three-week-old chicks. The Busia farm was my experiment: a rural model where I could demonstrate to other farmers how poultry can be run as a business.

Initially, things went well. But by July, I received disturbing reports, about 40 chicks had been mauled by a bush baby in just two weeks. I acted quickly to secure the flock, expecting about 60% to survive.

Months later, a stock count revealed a shocking truth: only 44 birds remained. When I asked Geoffrey, my worker, what happened, his story shifted. Miscommunication had cost me 20 birds.

The Nairobi farm wasn’t spared from challenges either. While the flock remained largely intact, egg production dropped, and feed theft occurred.

Overcoming the Challenges

To make telephone farming work, I implemented several strategies:

1. Scheduled daily updates – Every day, I call my workers for progress reports. I take meticulous notes and maintain a diary.

2. Structured conversations – I follow a checklist covering:

   • General farm feedback

   • Signs of diseases or predator attacks

   • Housing issues (leaks, broken doors)

   • Water and feeding schedules

   • Egg counts and feed stock

   • Upcoming maintenance tasks (like changing sawdust)

3. Verification – At the end of every call, I confirm the checklist with the worker, sign, date, and file it.

4. Trusted management – For my Nairobi farm, I hired Cleophas, a qualified manager who reports daily, sends emails with sales and progress updates, and works on commission. This reduced costs and ensured accountability.

These measures have paid off. Egg production in Nairobi has risen, with one batch now producing up to 120 eggs per day.

Lessons Learned

1. Aflatoxin is deadly. Poorly stored feeds can develop mold, producing aflatoxin. Early detection and proper storage are critical. A timely intervention prevented a potential disaster.

2. Act decisively – When a worker fails to deliver results despite constant reminders, don’t hesitate to make changes. Geoffrey had to go.

3. Adapt to reduce costs – I transitioned some birds to free-range to cut feed expenses, even if it means slower initial returns.

4. Remote farming requires constant vigilance – Technology, structured communication, and trusted staff are your best allies. In the future, I plan to install CCTV cameras for real-time monitoring.

Final Thoughts

Telephone farming isn’t easy. It tests patience, planning, and problem-solving skills. But with the right systems, it can thrive. For me, the journey has been a mix of triumphs, lessons, and unexpected challenges, but the rewards of seeing a farm grow, even from miles away, are deeply satisfying.