Kienyeji Improved Chicken Farming As a business

Kienyeji improved chicken farming was introduced to Kenya by KARI, who introduced the Kari Improved Kienyeji Chicken. Kienyeji farming has emerged as a popular and sustainable approach to poultry production in Kenya. Combining the resilience of indigenous Kienyeji improved with selective breeding for enhanced productivity, this method offers a promising solution for smallholder poultry farmers looking to boost their income and food security.

Origins and Breeding

Kienyeji improved are native to Kenya and other parts of East Africa, known for their hardiness, disease resistance, and adaptability to local conditions. However, traditional pure Kienyeji tend to have lower productivity in terms of egg and meat production compared to commercial broiler breeds. To address this, agricultural scientists and farmers have developed Kienyeji improved chickens through selective breeding programs. These programs aim to retain the desirable traits of indigenous chickens while enhancing their growth rate, egg-laying capacity, and overall health.
Improved Kienyeji has a variety of chicken breed which is enhancing the poultry farming in Kenya; Kari Improved chicken, Kuroiler chicken, Kenbro Chicken, Rainbow Rooster chicken and also Sasso Chicken breeds. Poultry farming in Kenya has been adopted in mainly ASLA where the Kienyeji Chicken farming has improved people’s livelihood.

Benefits of Improved Kienyeji Chicken

1. Resilience and Adaptability: Kienyeji Improved chickens maintain the resilience of their indigenous counterparts, thriving in diverse environmental conditions with minimal inputs. They are well-suited to free-range and semi-intensive farming systems, which are common in rural areas. They do not need special chicken house; only a chicken house that is secure from thieves and predators.
2. Enhanced Productivity: These improved kienyeji chicken exhibit improved performance, with higher egg production and faster growth rates compared to traditional Pure Kienyeji. This makes them more competitive and profitable for small-scale farmers.
3. Lower Disease Susceptibility: Improved Kienyeji chicken have better resistance to common poultry diseases, reducing the need for expensive medications and lowering Kienyeji chicks’ mortality rates. This trait is particularly valuable in regions where access to veterinary services is limited.
4. Nutritional Value: Kienyeji chicken eggs and meat are highly valued in Kenya compered to broilers for their rich flavour and superior nutritional content, often fetching higher prices in local markets compared to products from broiler breeds.

Poultry Farming Practices

Successful Kienyeji improved chicken farming requires a blend of traditional knowledge and modern practices. Key aspects include:
• Housing: Providing adequate chicken house to protect chickens from predators, harsh weather, and disease is crucial. Simple, well-ventilated coops with sufficient space and nesting boxes are recommended.
• Feeding: While Kienyeji chickens are excellent foragers, supplementing their diet with balanced poultry feed ensures optimal growth and egg production. Farmers can use locally available ingredients like maize, sorghum, and greens and other available material as Kienyeji feeds.
• Health Management: Regular vaccination and preventive health measures (chicken bio-security), such as deworming and maintaining clean living conditions, help keep the flock healthy. Monitoring for signs of illness and prompt intervention are essential.
• Breeding: Maintaining a good Kienyeji breeding stock and practicing selective breeding can help sustain and improve the flock’s productivity over time. You might also require a Pure Kienyeji chicken to sit on the Improved Kienyeji eggs or an Incubator to help multiply your Kienyeji chicken flock. The pure Kienyeji chicken helps to brood chicks and will reduce your work.

Economic and Social Impact

Kienyeji improved chicken farming offers significant economic and social benefits for smallholder farmers. It helps with food security and any surplus eggs and chicken can also provide a reliable source of income. The sale of eggs and meat are used for household consumption and they can also generate revenue. Additionally, the enterprise creates employment opportunities within the community, from feed suppliers, veterinary services, transporters, farm-hand workers, aggregators and also traders and market vendors.
This poultry farming approach supports sustainable agriculture by promoting biodiversity and reducing reliance on chemical inputs. The improved chicken manure can be used as organic fertiliser. Also, it aligns with environmentally friendly practices, as free-range systems allow chickens to contribute to soil fertility through natural foraging.

Conclusion

Kienyeji improved chicken farming represents a viable and sustainable pathway for enhancing poultry production in East Africa. By leveraging the strengths of indigenous chickens and improving their productivity through cross breeding with slow growing broilers, farmers can achieve better economic outcomes while maintaining ecological balance. This approach not only contributes to rural development, women and youth empowerment, but also ensures a steady supply of nutritious food, benefiting both producers and consumers alike.

Ziwani Poultry

At Ziwani Poultry are the best supplier of Kienyeji Improved chicken varieties; Kari Improved, Kuroiler, Sasso, Rainbow Roster and Kenbro. At our farm we supply from Day Old to 2 months improved Kienyeji. We also offer Incubation service where you bring your eggs to our premises for a small fee.
Ziwani also offer Poultry Training on: Kienyeji chicken house, Kienyeji Feeds, Vaccination, chicken diseases and medication and Chicks brooding.