A brood of turkeys ( Courtesy)
Keeping turkeys gives Kenyan farmers three to four times more money in six months than raising chickens.
Chore Sunda, a poultry farmer who decided to delve into free-range turkey farming, is not giving up soon after discovering that such a venture has paid for his two sons’ secondary and mid-school fees.
Start-up Capital
Turkey farming is one of the cheap to venture into with as little as Ksh10,000 seed capital.
“A turkey consumes around 40kg of feed from day one to six months.” It may consume more if kept in a poultry house. They are between four and five kilos in weight. A kilogram of commercial feed costs around Sh1,100.
Investment Profitability
“I sell each at Sh5,000,” Sunda said.
At the Kisii Show, an eight-month-old six-kilogramme Kenbro cock sold for Sh2,500, while four-kilogramme hens sold for Sh1,200.
In most cases, cocks sell for a maximum of Sh1,500, while chicks range from Sh600 to Sh800 depending on weight.
Broilers fetch Sh400, whilst layers sold for meat at unproductive ages fetch as little as Sh200.
While the chicken market booms around holidays and other special events such as Christmas, turkey meat is in great demand almost all year.
“A high-end hotel in Kisii town frequently asks me if I have any females.” They pay upfront, even if it is only for one month, to reserve them. I know several people who raise chickens, including myself. “However,” he said, “I know very few people who farm turkeys.”
Re-Investment
Sunda currently has seven turkeys, five of which are paid for, after selling three younger birds and buying an indigenous calf for Sh12,000.
The 66-year-old farmer hopes to benefit from Kisii County’s growing renown as more high-end hotels are developed.
Conclusion
Many people with an interest in raising poultry only think of chickens, ignoring a wide range of other fascinating birds such as turkeys, geese, ducks, and guinea fowls. The return on investment per bird (and turkey product) sale is sufficient to not only provide you with a reasonable monthly income but also to engage a farm manager to handle the business on your behalf.
Chore may be reached at +254729217058.
