Poultry farming is a popular agricultural business in Kenya because farmers can start at different scales and grow as they gain experience.
However, successful poultry farming requires more than buying chicks and feeding them.
Here are the important decisions to make before starting.
1. Choose the right type of poultry farming
Type
Main business
Consideration
Broilers
Meat production
Shorter production cycle; reliable buyers are important
Layers
Egg production
Longer-term feed and flock management
Improved indigenous chickens
Meat and eggs
Growth and productivity vary by breed and system
Choose based on your market, available capital, housing and ability to manage the birds.
2. Start with a manageable flock
A beginner might start with 50–100 birds to gain practical experience, depending on available resources.
Starting smaller allows you to understand feed consumption, daily routines, disease prevention and market demand before expanding.
3. Prepare housing before buying chicks
Your poultry house should provide adequate ventilation, protection from rain and predators, dry litter, sufficient space, and easy access to feeders and drinkers.
Stocking density depends on bird type, age, climate and housing system. Follow appropriate breed and management guidance.
4. Prepare a realistic budget
Your startup budget should consider:
Chicks or pullets
Poultry housing and equipment
Feed for the planned production period
Vaccination and veterinary services
Water and electricity
Transport
Emergency funds
Feed prices and chick costs vary by location and supplier. Obtain current quotations before committing your capital.
5. Develop a feeding plan
Different growth stages require different feed formulations.
Broilers generally progress through starter, grower and finisher stages, while layers require appropriate feeds as they develop and enter production.
Follow the feeding recommendations for your breed and feed supplier.
6. Plan for vaccination and biosecurity
Work with a local veterinarian to establish a vaccination programme suitable for your area.
Control visitors, clean equipment, manage rodents and wild birds, and separate sick birds promptly.
7. Identify your market early
Before buying birds, research potential buyers such as households, restaurants, hotels, traders and local retailers.
Understand what they purchase, preferred sizes or egg grades, pricing, payment arrangements and transport costs.
8. Keep records from day one
Every poultry farmer should track bird numbers, feed purchases and usage, mortality, treatments, production, sales and expenses.
These records help you identify problems and make better decisions when expanding.
9. Avoid expanding too quickly
A larger flock means higher feed bills, greater management responsibilities and potentially larger losses when things go wrong.
Expand only when your records show that your operation is manageable and financially sustainable.
How Tijafugo helps: Start recording your poultry operations from the beginning. Tijafugo brings flock, feed, health, production and financial records together in one place.