Small poultry house design

Poultry house construction involves designing and building structures to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for chickens.

Here are some guidelines for poultry house construction:

  1. Site selection: Choose a flat and well-drained site with good ventilation and access to water and electricity. Avoid low-lying areas where water may accumulate.
  2. Building design: The poultry house should be designed to provide adequate protection from the weather, predators, and disease. It should also allow for easy cleaning and management of the birds.
  3. Size: The size of the poultry house will depend on the number of birds to be housed. As a general rule, each bird should have about 0.1-0.2 square meters of floor space.
  4. Ventilation: Good ventilation is essential for the health and well-being of the birds. The poultry house should have windows, vents, or fans to provide fresh air and remove moisture and waste.
  5. Lighting: Provide natural or artificial lighting in the poultry house to mimic daylight hours, as this can affect the birds’ health, behavior, and egg production.
  6. Temperature: Keep the temperature in the poultry house between 20-25°C for optimal comfort of the birds. Use insulation and heating or cooling systems if necessary.
  7. Flooring: The floor of the poultry house should be made of a durable material, such as concrete or asphalt, that is easy to clean and disinfect.
  8. Equipment: Provide feeders, waterers, nest boxes, and perches in the poultry house as needed.
  9. Sanitation: Maintain good sanitation in the poultry house to prevent the spread of disease. Clean and disinfect the house regularly, and remove and dispose of manure and other waste regularly.
  10. Biosecurity: Implement biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of disease. This may include limiting access to the poultry house, wearing protective clothing, and providing footbaths or other methods for decontaminating footwear.
Chicken House Design

Pure Kienyeji chicken farming in Kenya

A pure Kienyeji chicken is a traditional Kenyan breed of domestic chicken that is known for its hardiness, adaptability, and efficient use of feed for both meat and egg production.

  • Breed selection:
    • Choose a pure Kienyeji breed that is well-adapted to the local climate and environment
    • Consider the breed’s characteristics such as growth rate, egg production, and meat quality
  • Housing and equipment:
    • Choose a suitable housing system, such as a free-range or deep litter system
    • Invest in equipment such as feeders, drinkers, nests, and perches
    • Ensure proper ventilation and insulation to maintain a comfortable temperature for the birds
  • Feed and nutrition:
    • Provide a balanced diet, including feed grains, protein sources, and supplements
    • Use locally sourced feed ingredients whenever possible to reduce costs
    • Ensure the birds have access to clean, fresh water at all times
  • Health and biosecurity:
    • Implement a biosecurity plan to prevent the spread of disease
    • Regularly monitor the birds for signs of illness or stress
    • Seek veterinary assistance as needed
  • Marketing and sales:
    • Develop a marketing strategy to reach potential customers
    • Price the products competitively based on local market conditions
    • Consider selling the birds live, dressed, or as eggs
  • Record keeping:
    • Keep accurate records of feed consumption, egg production, and other expenses
    • Monitor the birds’ growth and production performance to make informed management decisions
    • Regularly review the records to identify areas for improvement and optimize the operation.

Chicks incubator hatching machine

An incubator is a device used for hatching eggs artificially, by maintaining the required temperature, humidity, and turning the eggs at regular intervals. The cost of an incubator can vary depending on its size, features, and brand.

A hatching machine is a type of incubator that is specifically designed for hatching chicken eggs. It provides a controlled environment for the eggs to develop, with features such as temperature control, humidity control, and automatic egg turning.

Both incubators and hatching machines can be purchased from agricultural or poultry supply stores or online. The cost of these machines can range from a few thousand Kenyan shillings to hundreds of thousands, depending on the size and features of the machine.

Cost of rearing 100 broilers in Kenya

The cost of rearing 100 broilers in Kenya can vary depending on several factors such as the breed of the birds, feed costs, housing costs, labor costs, and any other miscellaneous expenses. On average, it is estimated that the cost of rearing 100 broilers in Kenya can range from KES 50,000 to KES 100,000 or more.

  • Housing and equipment costs:
    • Brooder or chick box
    • Feeders and drinkers
    • Lighting and heating
    • Ventilation systems
    • Security measures
  • Feed costs:
    • Starter feed
    • Grower feed
    • Finisher feed
    • Supplements and vitamins
  • Labor costs:
    • Feeding and watering
    • Cleaning and disinfecting
    • Monitoring bird health and growth
    • Record keeping and management
  • Miscellaneous costs:
    • Electricity and fuel for heating and lighting
    • Medicine and veterinary services
    • Marketing and transportation
    • Insurance and contingency expenses.
Equipment for broiler chickens

Brooding chicks

Brooding chicks refers to the process of keeping the chicks warm after incubation until they are introduced to the outside world, and moved to a coop or outdoor run when they are strong and feathered enough to handle the weather.

Here are some guidelines for brooding chicks:

  • Choose a suitable location for the brooder, such as a warm and draft-free room, with a stable temperature and good ventilation.
  • Prepare the brooder with a heat source, such as a heat lamp, ceramic heat emitter, or electric brooders. Keep the temperature at 95°F (35°C) for the first week, then gradually decrease it by 5°F (2.7°C) per week until it reaches 70°F (21°C).
  • Provide a suitable bedding material, such as pine shavings or paper towels, to keep the chicks dry and comfortable.
  • Offer food and water in chick-sized feeders and waterers. Use a high-quality starter feed that is specifically formulated for chickens.
  • Keep the brooder clean and dry, and remove any wet or soiled bedding to prevent disease and parasites.
  • Observe the chicks regularly to ensure they are healthy and growing well. Check their eyes, beaks, feathers, and legs for any signs of abnormalities.
  • Gradually acclimate the chicks to the outside world, and move them to a coop or outdoor run when they are strong and feathered enough to handle the weather.

Remember that proper brooding is crucial for the health and survival of chicks, so it’s important to follow these guidelines closely.

Kienyeji chicken house

A Kienyeji chicken house is a structure used to house Kienyeji chickens in a controlled environment. The design of a Kienyeji chicken house is important to ensure the health, comfort and productivity of the birds.

Some key considerations for building a Kienyeji chicken house include:

  1. Location: The house should be located in a well-drained area, away from areas that are prone to flooding and in a location that provides good ventilation and access to sunlight.
  2. Size: The size of the house should be sufficient to provide enough space for the number of birds being housed, taking into account their age and size, and to allow for their movement and comfort.
  3. Flooring: The floor should be constructed with a solid base, such as concrete, to prevent the build-up of manure and to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
  4. Ventilation: Good ventilation is essential to maintain the health of the birds, as well as to regulate temperature and humidity levels. Ventilation should be provided through windows, vents or fans.
  5. Lighting: Adequate lighting is important for egg production and to help regulate the birds’ circadian rhythm.
  6. Feed and Water: The house should include feeders and drinkers that are easily accessible to the birds and are kept clean to prevent contamination.

By following these guidelines, you can build a Kienyeji chicken house that will provide a safe and suitable environment for your birds, and help to maximize their health and productivity.

Chicken House Design

Chicken feeds formulation

Chicken feed formulation is the process of creating a balanced diet for chickens to ensure optimal growth, health and egg production. The following are the key components of a well-formulated chicken feed:

  1. Proteins: Essential for growth and maintenance, and the building of muscle and egg production. Sources of protein include soybean meal, fishmeal, and meat meal.
  2. Carbohydrates: Provide energy to chickens and are found in grains such as corn, wheat, and barley.
  3. Fats: A source of energy and essential fatty acids. Sources of fat include animal fat and vegetable oils.
  4. Vitamins and Minerals: Essential for proper growth, health and egg production. Commonly included vitamins and minerals include Vitamin A, Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus.
  5. Fiber: Helps maintain digestive health and can be found in sources such as soybean hulls and beet pulp.

When formulating chicken feed, it is important to consider the age and stage of production of the chickens, as well as their breed, as this can affect the specific nutritional requirements of the birds. Feed formulation can be done by a poultry nutritionist or using commercial feed formulation software. It is also important to regularly monitor the health and performance of your chickens, and to make adjustments to the feed formulation as necessary.

Kienyeji chicken diseases and treatment

Kienyeji chickens, like all chickens, are susceptible to various diseases and health issues. Some of the common diseases in Kienyeji chickens and their treatments include:

  1. Newcastle Disease: A highly contagious viral disease that causes respiratory and nervous symptoms. Treatment involves administering antiviral drugs and providing supportive care to the affected birds.
  2. Avian Influenza: A viral disease that can cause respiratory, digestive and nervous symptoms. Treatment involves administering antiviral drugs and providing supportive care to the affected birds. In severe cases, culling of infected birds may be necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.
  3. Fowl Pox: A viral disease that causes skin lesions and affects the respiratory system. Treatment involves administering antiviral drugs and providing supportive care to the affected birds.
  4. Coccidiosis: A parasite infection that affects the digestive system and causes diarrhea. Treatment involves administering antiparasitic drugs and improving the hygiene of the living environment.
  5. Worm infestations: Common worm infections in chickens include roundworm and tapeworm. Treatment involves administering antiparasitic drugs and improving the hygiene of the living environment.

It is important to regularly monitor the health of your Kienyeji chickens and to seek veterinary advice if you suspect any health issues. Preventive measures, such as regular vaccination and deworming, can also help to reduce the risk of disease in your flock.

Chicken diseases

Poultry farming in Kenya Kienyeji

Kienyeji poultry farming is a type of small-scale chicken rearing in Kenya that focuses on using local breeds and traditional methods to raise chickens for both meat and egg production. The term “Kienyeji” is a Swahili word that means “local” or “indigenous”.

In Kienyeji poultry farming, the following steps are commonly followed:

  1. Breed selection: Choose indigenous chicken breeds such as the Kenya High Altitude or the improved Kienyeji breeds that are well adapted to the local environment and are highly resistant to diseases.
  2. Housing: Build simple and low-cost chicken coops or provide improvised housing such as a fenced area under a tree.
  3. Feeding: Provide a balanced diet of kitchen waste, insects, and green vegetation to supplement commercial feeds.
  4. Health management: Implement preventive measures such as regular deworming and vaccination to keep the chickens healthy.
  5. Marketing: Sell the eggs and meat in local markets or directly to customers.

The benefits of Kienyeji poultry farming include reduced costs, increased food security, and the preservation of traditional knowledge and local breeds. By promoting Kienyeji poultry farming, small-scale farmers in Kenya can improve their livelihoods and contribute to the growth of the country’s poultry industry.

Chicken rearing in Kenya

Chicken rearing in Kenya is a popular and growing industry, with both small-scale and large-scale operations. Some of the key considerations for starting a chicken-rearing business in Kenya include:

  1. Selection of breeds: Choose breeds that are well suited to the local climate and conditions, such as the Kenya High Altitude or the improved Kienyeji breeds.
  2. Housing: Provide a secure and suitable housing for your chickens, with adequate ventilation, lighting and space.
  3. Feeding: Ensure a balanced diet for your chickens, using a combination of commercial feeds and supplements.
  4. Health Management: Regularly monitor the health of your chickens, and take measures to prevent and control diseases such as Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza.
  5. Marketing: Develop a marketing strategy to sell your chickens and their products, such as eggs and meat, to customers in your local area and beyond.
  6. Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of your operations, including expenses, income, and inventory, to help you manage your business effectively.

By following these guidelines, you can set up a successful chicken-rearing business in Kenya and contribute to the growth of the country’s poultry industry.

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