Poultry Farming In Kenya: Is It Profitable? Business Plan!

Poultry farming in Kenya is playing an important role in the total economy and fulfilling the nutrition demand in Kenya. Reports shows that some people are becoming billionaires by commercial poultry farming in Kenya.

Most of the farmers of Kenya raise egg laying or broiler chicken. Raising some other domestic birds can also be seen in Kenya.

Among the poultry birds, quail farming is becoming popular day by day. Some people raise poultry for family consumption and most of the farmers raise poultry commercial for profit.

Poultry egg consuming rate is relatively high than meat consumption in Kenya. Schools, hotels and homes are the biggest market for poultry eggs in Kenya. In case of meat, hotels are the major customer of chicken meat.

Benefits of Poultry Farming in Kenya

Poultry farming is a very important business in Kenya for several reasons. It provides a good source of nutritious food (like eggs and meat). Both eggs and meat are are essential for human health. Commercial poultry farming business can creates job opportunities for many people (especially in rural areas where employment can be scarce).

Poultry production business also contributes to the country’s economy by generating income (through the sale of poultry products). This business can help to improve food security in the country. Actually, poultry farming business plays a very important role in Kenya’s agriculture sector and in improving the livelihoods of many people.

How to Start Poultry Farming in Kenya?

You can start poultry farming in Kenya by keeping in mind both local and international market. If you don’t want to spend money in buying poultry products then you can go with small scale poultry farming in Kenya.

But for commercial production you have to focus on the marketing of your products. You can target large hotels, companies and also exporting to foreign countries for marketing your products.

Step 1: Learn Practically

First of all, try to learn more about this business practically from any existing poultry farmer or breeder. Having practical knowledge is very important in this business. Visit as many farms as you can in your area to learn more about this business.

Step 2: Complete a Training

Completing a poultry farming training is also very important, especially if you are a beginner. Try to complete a training from your any organization in your area. Some agricultural colleges and universities also provide training about this business.

Step 3: Make A Business Plan

Making a good and effective business plan is also very important for starting and operating this business successfully. Make a good business plan before starting and try to work according to the plan. Include everything from starting to marketing in your business plan. Ask for help from an expert if you are a beginner.

Step 4: Select a Good Location

Selecting a very good location is very important for commercial poultry farming business in Kenya. Try to select the location far from residential area. Ensure good communication system is available in the selected land.

Step 5: Determine Your Farming Method

Poultry farming in Kenya can be done by using two methods and those are organic and inorganic. Both organic and inorganic methods are used for commercial poultry farming in Kenya.

There is a high competition between this two types of poultry farmers. There are some poultry products buying companies in Kenya that are not accepting inorganic poultry products (meat and eggs).

Some health conscious people are rejecting all types of inorganic foods including poultry eggs and meat. This is resulting a little drop in inorganic poultry farming in Kenya (not greatly).

Step 6: Choose The Right Breed

In Kenya, broiler and layer poultry are used for commercial meat and egg production. There are numerous world famous meat and egg producing poultry breeds available.

Select proper breeds according to your desired production. For commercial egg production choose highly productive layer breeds which are suitable for farming in Kenyan environment.

In case of meat production select highly meat producing broiler poultry breeds. You can visit your nearest poultry farming or training center for getting some information about suitable breeds for commercial poultry farming in Kenya.

Step 7: Purchase Equipment

You will need to purchase some equipment for operating a successful poultry farming business. Read more about poultry equipment.

Step 8: Purchase Chicks

Purchase chicks from your local or nearest breeders or suppliers. Always try to purchase good quality, healthy and active birds for your farm. You can ask for help from an expert if you don’t have enough experience.

Step 9: Ensure Good Housing System

Good designed and well facilitated poultry housing is a must for commercial poultry farming in Kenya. Housing system and design depends on the farming system and chosen poultry breeds.But follow some instructions while building house for all types of poultry breeds. Proper ventilation system is very urgent. This keeps the birds healthy and productive.

Make sure that your poultry house is well ventilated. Keep proper facilities for entrancing sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. If you want to start large scale poultry farming, then making numerous houses will be effective. Keep about 40 feet distance from one house to another house while making numerous houses.

Always clean the house perfectly before bringing the chicks inside the farm. Clear the litter on a regular basis. Wooden or rice bran can be used for making litter for the poultry birds. Keep all the poultry equipment clean and germ free. Clean all equipment on regular basis.

• Poultry housing
• Broiler poultry housing
• Layer poultry housing
• How to build a poultry house.

Step 10: Provide Nutritious Feeding

Feeding good quality nutritious food keeps the poultry birds healthy and productive. High quality fresh foods with availability of all types of nutrient ingredients is the key to success in commercial poultry farming business.

• Poultry feed
• Broiler poultry feed
• Layer poultry feed

Along with providing good quality foods serve them sufficient amount of fresh and clean water according to their demand.

Step 11: Proper Breeding Management is Important

Proper breeding is important if you want to produce fertilized eggs. Most of the poultry birds are naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily if you keep good ratio of male and female birds in your flock.

Step 12: Care and Management

Always take good care of your poultry. Vaccinate timely to keep them free from all types of poultry diseases. Keep your farm free from other harmful animals and prevent all types of predators.

Step 13: Marketing

There is already a ready market available for marketing your poultry products. Small scale farmers can easily sell their products in local market. And large scale poultry farmer can try to sell their products in large hotels, companies or in international market.

Poultry farming has a great contribution to the economy and food demand of Kenya. The main benefits of commercial poultry farming in Kenya is that, diseases are less in poultry and as a result we don’t have to import poultry products from foreign country. Along with gaining profit from commercial poultry farming in Kenya we have to ensure the availability of required food demand.

Hope this guide has helped you. Good luck and may God bless you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

People ask many questions about poultry farming in Kenya. Here we are trying to list the most common questions about starting and operating poultry farming in Kenya, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.