Over the last few years there has been an increase in kienyeji chicken business all over Kenya and even in the neighboring countries. This has been occasioned by the fact that most people are becoming health conscious on the long term dangers of feeding on unhealthy products. Kienyeji chickens take longer to keep but are left to grow freely without any restrictions and enhanced feeding products like hormones or antibiotics. Just like any other business, a lot of planning has to be put in place before starting the business. Below we will look at what you need to put in place before starting the business.
Firstly, you realise that currently there is a large demand on kienyeji chicken. Kienyeji chicken business requires that you identify where to keep the chickens. It must be free from any harm and should be safe enough to allow the chickens to roam freely. The chickens should also be able to have a large enclosure or space where they can move about. This movement and exercises will result in better meat quality from your flock.
The issue of feeding must also take centre stage. Chicken, interestingly, consume a large amount of food and as a farmer you must be ready to go out of your way to make sure that your chicken are not underfed.
Secondly, kienyeji chickens love to scavenge for their food in open places. This is where the issue of security comes in place. If you live in a dangerous place where there is a lot of interference from wild animals or dogs (these can be wild or domesticated) then you need to build a shelter for the chicken. You can have the main shelter to protect them from the elements at night along with a chicken run to protect them from predators and other chicken which may be carrying diseases. Kienyeji chicken business takes time and one has to really be patient before you can see some good results. You can start it by just a few hens and a cockerel. Unlike the broilers, you do not have to buy day old chicks to start the business.
Thirdly, as a poultry farmer, you must be ready to wait between 5-6 months to start reaping from your business. Whether you are rearing your chicken on a small scale or large scale, you need to put all the requirements in place to ensure that you do not underfeed your chicken and that they are protected from the harsh weather conditions. Kienyeji chicken business is one of the most affordable businesses and if it is the improved kienyeji variety, it is also a profitable model that you can use to build wealth over the longer term. Kienyeji chicken, unlike their counterparts, rarely suffers from the many diseases that afflict other exotic breeds. Despite their disease resistant nature, they from time to time have to undergo vaccinations to avoid infections.
Lastly, hygiene must take centre stage when starting Kienyeji chicken business. Even kienyenji chicken should be handled with care to prevent them from getting respiratory diseases which are common with most the chicken and can be fatal. Because these breeds are mainly for meat purposes, their weight will also matter when it comes to selling them. Ensure that they are well fed, well catered for and have enough sunlight.
As a kienyeji chicken farmer you can benefit from selling the eggs or the chicken on a small, medium and or even larger scale. You should also seek to find extra information on the many organizations that offer training and support for chicken farmers. The internet interestingly offers numerous solutions to farmers which can become very handy. If you are looking for some comprehensive and first hand information on how you can rear your kienyeji chicken breeds, you can buy a Kienyeji chicken farming manual PDF copy that will give you all the tips you that you need to succeed in this business.