Nairobi, Kenya : For many years, poultry farmers
in Kenya have been rearing exotic breeds for
commercial purposes. The birds, which lay
hundreds of eggs annually, have been the darling
of many farmers. But time seems to be up for the
exotic breeds that include Leghorn as Kenyan
farmers embrace indigenous chicken that is hardy
and offers better returns.
in Kenya have been rearing exotic breeds for
commercial purposes. The birds, which lay
hundreds of eggs annually, have been the darling
of many farmers. But time seems to be up for the
exotic breeds that include Leghorn as Kenyan
farmers embrace indigenous chicken that is hardy
and offers better returns.
The bird known as Kari Kienyeji Chicken has taken
the poultry industry by storm, with thousands of
farmers ditching the exotic breeds for the new
one.
the poultry industry by storm, with thousands of
farmers ditching the exotic breeds for the new
one.
The Kienyeji chicken was released into the
market this year by scientists at Kenya Agricultural
Research Institute, now renamed as Kenya
Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation.
market this year by scientists at Kenya Agricultural
Research Institute, now renamed as Kenya
Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation.
According to the scientists, the bird that is a cross
of several breeds is genetically superior thus
resistant to diseases, is easy to feed and manage
as it can be kept under free-range.
of several breeds is genetically superior thus
resistant to diseases, is easy to feed and manage
as it can be kept under free-range.
These qualities have made it attractive to farmers, many
who have been struggling with exotic breeds that
are prone to diseases.
who have been struggling with exotic breeds that
are prone to diseases.
“I switched to Kienyeji chicken as soon as I heard
about it in April. I had been keeping exotic birds for
about two years and they were not doing very
well. I gradually sold them after I bought the
Kienyeji chicks at Sh60 each,” George Kungu, a
poultry farmer in Kitengela on the outskirts of
Nairobi said.
about it in April. I had been keeping exotic birds for
about two years and they were not doing very
well. I gradually sold them after I bought the
Kienyeji chicks at Sh60 each,” George Kungu, a
poultry farmer in Kitengela on the outskirts of
Nairobi said.
The farmer has 250Kienyeji birds.
“About 200 of them are now laying eggs that
fetch higher prices in the market,” said Kungu.
While eggs of the exotic birds go for between
Sh10 and Sh12 each, those of Kienyeji chicken are
sold from Sh15 to Sh20.
“About 200 of them are now laying eggs that
fetch higher prices in the market,” said Kungu.
While eggs of the exotic birds go for between
Sh10 and Sh12 each, those of Kienyeji chicken are
sold from Sh15 to Sh20.
A Kienyeji chicken lay an
average of 250eggs annually while exotic birds
300.
average of 250eggs annually while exotic birds
300.
Farmers, however, noted the difference is
recouped from the low management costs offered
by the former. For instance, one can keep the
Kienyeji chicken under free- range and let them
forage for food from the soil as he supplements
with commercial feeds and vegetable leaves.
recouped from the low management costs offered
by the former. For instance, one can keep the
Kienyeji chicken under free- range and let them
forage for food from the soil as he supplements
with commercial feeds and vegetable leaves.
Cost of feeds Exotic breeds entirely depend on
commercial feeds and are prone to diseases.
commercial feeds and are prone to diseases.
“I love the indigenous chicken because it is not
only the eggs that fetch higher prices, even the
birds themselves,” said farmer Cecilia Abwayo,
who keeps the chicken in Umoja on the east of
the capital.
only the eggs that fetch higher prices, even the
birds themselves,” said farmer Cecilia Abwayo,
who keeps the chicken in Umoja on the east of
the capital.
Mature Kienyeji birds kept for meat go
for between Sh600 and Sh800 depending on the
size. Exotic broilers, on the other hand, are sold at
an average of Sh450.
for between Sh600 and Sh800 depending on the
size. Exotic broilers, on the other hand, are sold at
an average of Sh450.
“The indigenous birds are the way to go for any
farmer in search of better returns. The fact that
they are similar to the local breeds kept by millions
of families make them more appealing,” said
Abwayo.
farmer in search of better returns. The fact that
they are similar to the local breeds kept by millions
of families make them more appealing,” said
Abwayo.
Western-based agricultural extension
officer Bernard Moina said Kienyeji chickens are
the best thing to have happened to Kenyan poultry
farmers, who are faced with high cost of feeds. A
50kg bag of chick, layers or broilers mash is being
sold at an average of Sh3,000.
officer Bernard Moina said Kienyeji chickens are
the best thing to have happened to Kenyan poultry
farmers, who are faced with high cost of feeds. A
50kg bag of chick, layers or broilers mash is being
sold at an average of Sh3,000.
“The birds are best-suited for local conditions,
require no special feeds, are dual-purpose and
their meat is sweet because they exercise. They
are easy to establish for low-income farmers
because they are kept under semi-intensive
system,” he said.
require no special feeds, are dual-purpose and
their meat is sweet because they exercise. They
are easy to establish for low-income farmers
because they are kept under semi-intensive
system,” he said.
He noted that with Kienyeji birds,
farmers who have incubators can hatch their own
eggs. A tray of fertilised eggs is currently being
sold at Sh1,000, which gives farmers more income.
farmers who have incubators can hatch their own
eggs. A tray of fertilised eggs is currently being
sold at Sh1,000, which gives farmers more income.
According to Kenya Poultry Farmers Association,
there are 32 million chickens in the East African
nation, six million of which are commercial hybrids.
there are 32 million chickens in the East African
nation, six million of which are commercial hybrids.
Source: Standard Media
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