Improved Kienyeji introduction

The main improved Kienyeji breeds in Kenya are

1. KARI improved chicken
2. Kuroiler

What’s the difference between KARI and Kuroiler kienyeji

KARI kienyeji is a new breed of indigenous chicken developed from local breeds by KARI Naivasha.  kuroiler ,a breed from Uganda is cross breed between a broiler and a exotic chicken variety in Rhode Islands. Kuroiler  grow faster, weigh more and are meatier compared to their kienyeji counterparts.

Kuroiler

• Kuroiler can survive on free range and requires to eat continously
• They can live on household food leftovers and related agricultural waste
• They weigh up to 3kg in 4 months and 4kg in 6 months.
•  A Kuroiler hen can lay between 140-150 eggs in a year.
• The are better in meat production
• hens cannot sit on their eggs to hatch.

Improved KARI indigenous chicken

• Does well in areas with harsh climatic conditions
• When properly managed, the KARI Improved hens can lay between 220 to 280 eggs a year.
• Better for both meat and eggs production
• A hen   weighs 1.5kg in 5 months. A cock weighs 2kg in 5 months
• to mature faster or produce more eggs one is advised to keep them in a semi-intensive or deep litter system

Producing eggs is more difficult than meat in poultry. You have to wait more than 18 weeks before the hen will lay an egg. They are not easy to rear as they must be grown slowly and according to a plan. They also need to have good housing and nest boxes so there is a higher initial capital cost than growing meat birds.

You will need to look at all aspects of commercial poultry production before you decide to become a poultry farmer