Aston Lukoye
Due to the increased demand for chicken meat in most metropolitan parts of the country, David Kiprop, a pure-bred chicken farmer from Salgaa in Nakuru County, Kenya, chose to try his luck in venturing into the chicken business.
Capital for the Startup
Kiprop funded the project with KES 60,000 earned from his other businesses, which included the production and sale of Boma Rhode hay and seeds.
Two empty rooms in his family’s Salgaa home, which sits on an 18-acre tract of land, were enough to get him started in the business.
“I paid KES78 for 600 one-day-old chicks, which came to KES46,800.” “I divided the remaining Sh13,200 between the meals, which absorbed the biggest part, and medications,” said the Kenya Methodist University Mass Communication graduate (KeMU).
Market Research
His choice to go into the better indigenous chicken type was driven by the ever-increasing demand for their products.
“Market research is essential for every farmer before beginning commercial farming, and I’ve learned that there is a tremendous demand for broilers in Kenya right now that may not be met anytime soon,” Kiprop said.
Kiprop sold his first adult chicken after a three-month wait, to Bamburi Cement and Royal Tanks, who bought the bird to feed their employees. He also sells to local open-air marketplaces.
Monthly Sales
He sells a mature adult chicken for KES450 monthly, and he aims to sell at least 270 chickens every month, netting him KES 121,500 in total income.
“My chicken is constantly booked by local businesses and dealers, making my marketing lot easier,” he explained.
Currently, he is earning KES121,500 from the sales of his pure breed, as compared to pure indigenous kinds, which are losing appeal in towns.
He has subsequently hired two farmhands, paying them up to Sh40,000 per month depending on the workload, which forces him to engage more temporary labourers when there is a lot of work.
Future Plans
Kiprop is now preparing to start raising pet dogs such as German shepherds, which he hopes to sell to the region’s growing upper and middle-class residents, who see dog ownership as a show of status.
How many chickens do you need to make a profit if you want to establish a chicken farm?
It truly depends on local demand, but I’d guess you’ll need at least 16 chickens to make your business profitable. Two hybrid chickens will produce a dozen eggs each week, whereas 16 birds will produce around 8 dozen eggs per week.
Food for Thought
Are you at crossroads deciding whether or not to venture into chicken farming?
Poultry farming is a significant business in Kenya. It’s much better now that large restaurants and hotels have opened up. Kenyans are known to consume eggs and chicken meat, and there is never a lack of demand for poultry goods.
Apart from restaurants and hotels, Kenyans are known to consume eggs and chicken meat. You will never miss the market for your products.
In Kenya, the cost of beginning a poultry farm ranges from Ksh. 50,000 to Ksh. 780,000, depending on whether you want to do large-scale or small-scale chicken farming.
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