First question: Why improved kenyeji specifically?
I spent three months researching before ordering my first chicks. Read everything I could find, talked to farmers, visited farms, asked a million questions. This is everything I wish someone had told me in one place. No fluff. Just what actually matters.
Let’s talk options:
Broilers: Fast growth (6-8 weeks), but tasteless meat, high disease risk, low market prices, everyone’s doing it.
Traditional kenyeji: Great taste, disease-resistant, but slow growth (8-10 months), low egg production (80-120 eggs/year), hard to scale profitably.
Improved kenyeji: This is where it gets interesting.
- Faster than traditional (mature at 5-6 months)
- 150-220 eggs per year
- Still disease-resistant
- Premium taste (customers actually prefer it)
- Premium prices (1,000-1,800 KES per bird)
- Eggs sell for 15-25 KES each
Improved kenyeji is the smart middle ground. Better economics than traditional, better product than broilers.
The money conversation nobody wants to have
Starting with 100 improved kenyeji chicks, here’s the real budget:
Initial costs:
- Chicks (100): 7,000-10,000 KES
- Brooder setup: 15,000-25,000 KES
- First month feed: 4,000-5,000 KES
- Vaccines/meds: 3,000-5,000 KES
- Equipment: 5,000-10,000 KES
First 6 months total: 90,000-150,000 KES
Yeah, it’s real money. But here’s what people don’t tell you:
Month 6 onwards (laying starts):
- 100 hens × 15 eggs/month average = 1,500 eggs
- 1,500 eggs × 18 KES = 27,000 KES/month
- Feed cost: ~12,000 KES/month
- Net: ~15,000 KES/month (and growing)
By month 12, you’re profitable. By month 18, you’ve likely recovered your full investment. After that? Pure profit. Most businesses take longer to break even. This one doesn’t.
Housing – what you actually need
For chicks (0-8 weeks):
Space: 0.5 square feet per chick initially. So 100 chicks need 50 square feet minimum. Must-haves:
- Heat source (infrared lamps or charcoal heater)
- Good ventilation but NO drafts (this kills chicks)
- Dry bedding (wood shavings work best)
- Easy to clean floor
- Predator-proof
Don’t build something fancy. Build something functional. You can upgrade later. For growers/layers (8+ weeks): Space: 2-3 square feet per bird inside, 8-10 square feet outside if free-range. Must-haves:
- Perches for roosting (chickens sleep off the ground)
- Nesting boxes (1 box per 4-5 hens)
- Protection from rain and sun
- Good ventilation
- Predator-proof (snakes, dogs, wildcats)
Cost: You can build decent housing for 30,000-60,000 KES depending on materials. Use what’s available locally. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Getting quality improved kenyeji chicks
This is where many people screw up. Cheap chicks = expensive problems.
Where to buy:
- KALRO (Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization)
- Certified improved kenyeji breeders
- Reputable hatcheries with vaccination records
- Agricultural extension offices can recommend sources
What to look for:
- Active, alert chicks
- Clean, fluffy feathers
- Clear, bright eyes
- Steady on their feet
- No deformities or weakness
Red flags:
- Suspiciously cheap prices
- No vaccination records
- Seller can’t answer basic questions
- Chicks look lethargic or sick
Pro tip: Visit the source if possible. See the parent stock. Ask about their breeding program. Good breeders are proud to show you.
Feeding program that actually works
Weeks 0-8 (chick starter):
- 20% protein
- Feed available all day
- Fresh water 24/7
- Cost: ~40 KES per kg
- Consumption: 25-50g per chick per day
Weeks 8-18 (grower feed):
- 16-18% protein
- Start introducing greens and kitchen scraps
- Cost: ~35 KES per kg
- Consumption: 60-80g per bird per day
18+ weeks (layer feed):
- 16-17% protein with calcium
- Free-range supplementation (grass, insects)
- Kitchen scraps (vegetables, grains)
- Cost: ~35 KES per kg
- Consumption: 100-120g per bird per day
Real talk on feed: This is your biggest ongoing cost. Don’t cheap out. Bad feed = weak birds = poor production = no profit. Good feed pays for itself.
Health management (this will save you money)
Vaccination schedule for improved kenyeji:
- Day 7: Newcastle Disease + Infectious Bronchitis
- Day 14: Gumboro (very important)
- Week 6: Newcastle booster
- Week 8: Fowl pox
- Week 16: Newcastle booster
- Every 3 months after: Newcastle booster
Deworming: Every 3 months
Common problems and solutions:
Coccidiosis (bloody droppings, weakness):
- Keep brooder dry
- Use anticoccidial in feed or water
- Caught early, it’s manageable
Newcastle Disease (twisted neck, respiratory issues):
- THIS IS WHY YOU VACCINATE
- No cure if they get it
- Vaccination is cheap insurance
Respiratory infections:
- Usually from poor ventilation or cold
- Antibiotics work if caught early
- Prevention is easier than cure
Daily health check: Spend 10 minutes every morning watching your birds. You’ll notice problems before they become disasters.
The mistakes everyone makes (avoid these)
1. Overcrowding Cramming too many birds in small space = stress = disease = death. Follow the space requirements. Don’t negotiate with biology.
2. Skipping vaccinations “I’ll save money on vaccines.” Then lose 30% of your flock to Newcastle. Vaccines are the cheapest investment you’ll make.
3. Poor record keeping If you don’t track mortality, feed costs, and egg production, you have no idea if you’re making or losing money. Keep records from day one.
4. Buying cheap feed “I found feed for 25 KES per kg!” Yeah, and your birds will produce like crap. Buy quality feed. Your profit depends on it.
5. No emergency fund Power cuts, disease outbreaks, unexpected expenses – they happen. Have at least 10,000 KES set aside for emergencies.
Timeline to profitability (realistic version)
Months 1-5: Investment phase
- Heavy expenses
- No revenue
- Learning curve
- Some mortality (normal)
Month 6: First eggs
- Revenue starts: 15,000-25,000 KES/month
- Feed costs: 12,000-15,000 KES/month
- Still building momentum
Months 7-12: Growing phase
- Revenue: 25,000-35,000 KES/month
- Production stabilizing
- Approaching break-even
Month 12+: Profit phase
- Consistent egg production
- Some birds ready for meat market
- Building customer base
- Actual profit
By month 18-24: You’ve likely recovered your initial investment and are in solid profit territory.
Why improved kenyeji is the right choice for new farmers
Here’s what I’ve concluded after all my research:
Market advantage: People actively want improved kenyeji. They’ll pay premium prices. The demand exists.
Lower risk: Disease resistance means lower vet bills and lower mortality. You’re not gambling everything on perfect conditions.
Dual income: Bad egg production one month? Sell some birds for meat. Flexibility matters.
Scalable: Start with 100, prove your model, scale to 500 or 1,000. The business model works at different scales.
Learning curve: Improved kenyeji are forgiving. They’re hardy. Good for beginners.
Your action plan (if you’re serious)
This month:
- Calculate your real budget (including 6 months of expenses)
- Identify your space and start preparing it
- Research where to buy quality chicks in your area
- Connect with a poultry vet
- Join farming groups (online and offline)
Next month:
- Build or prepare your brooder
- Buy equipment and supplies
- Order your chicks
- Set up your record-keeping system
- Clear your schedule for brooding period
First 6 months:
- Focus on bird health and growth
- Track everything
- Learn from mistakes
- Build your knowledge
- Prepare for egg production
Month 6+:
- Start selling eggs
- Build customer relationships
- Optimize your systems
- Plan your scaling strategy
Final thoughts
Improved kenyeji farming isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a real business that requires real work, real money, and real commitment.
But it’s also one of the most accessible agricultural businesses in Kenya right now. The market is ready. The profit margins are good. The risk is manageable.
I’m doing this at Oorvex Poultry Farm. Following everything I just wrote. When I mess up, I’ll share it. When I succeed, I’ll share that too.
If you’re serious about this, start. Not someday. Now. Research for a month, then take action.
Questions? Ask in the comments. Already farming? Share your experience. Let’s build together.
Improved kenyeji is the future. The question is, are you part of it?
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