I once tried poultry farming but didn’t reap much, so I still consider myself a beginner. This time, however, I want to do it right, and for the long term. My pens are secure, well-ventilated, and spacious. The question I had to answer was: What type of chicken should I keep?
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| Chick brooder |
The choice of chicken depends largely on the market you want to serve and the production system you’re willing to adopt.
1. Poultry for Quantity: Hybrids
If your target is mass production, go for hybrid breeds. These are designed for efficiency and high yields.
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Layers – Specialised in egg production, with modern hybrids laying up to 280–320 eggs per year.
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Broilers – Bred for meat production, reaching market weight in just 6–8 weeks.
✅ Best for markets that value quantity, consistency, and affordability.
However, hybrids require:
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Intensive confinement systems.
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Full dependence on commercial feeds.
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High-level management to maximise production and avoid losses.
2. Poultry for Quality: Indigenous/Free-Range
Some consumers are more concerned about quality and natural products than sheer volume. If your market values organic, natural, or traditional products, indigenous chicken (kienyeji) is the way to go.
These chickens may produce fewer eggs and take longer to reach market weight, but:
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Their meat and eggs are highly sought after for flavour and perceived health benefits.
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They thrive better in local environments with fewer input costs.
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They fit well into semi-intensive or free-range systems, where birds forage for food and are supplemented with grains and kitchen leftovers.
✅ Best for niche markets that pay more for organic and indigenous products.
3. Matching Breed to Market
Your decision comes down to choosing between quantity and quality:
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Quantity-focused farming → Hybrids (layers or broilers) + intensive systems.
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Quality-focused farming → Indigenous chicken + semi-intensive or free-range systems.
Some farmers even adopt a mixed approach, keeping both hybrids and indigenous chickens to tap into multiple markets.
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| Chicken in a battery cage system |
Conclusion
Starting small and scaling gradually is the best strategy. First, identify your market; are you targeting supermarkets, hotels, households, or organic consumers? Once that’s clear, choose the breed that matches demand.
Poultry farming can be profitable long-term, but success depends on aligning your production system with your market niche. With good planning, secure housing, and proper feeding, you’ll be well on your way to sustainable poultry farming. 🐓🥚🍗
At Greenfarm Organics, we believe farming is about matching passion with smart choices.
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