Category: Hatching and Incubation

Dead embryos at early stage can be caused by:

• A diseased parent flock.
• Improper nutrition of breeders e.g. the use of mouldy feed or feed lacking micronutrients
• Eggs are cracked, dirty or wet.
• Improper egg cleaning and fumigation.
• Eggs stored improperly or for too long before incubation.
• Improper incubation parameters such as too high or too low temperature or humidity or insufficient egg turning during the incubation period. (See questions number 21, 22 and 25 for more details on proper
  temperature, humidity and turning rate)
• Inbreeding can cause early embryonic mortality.

Low rate of embryos in eggs is often caused by:

• The male-female rate of the parent flock is not suitable: insufficient or
• excessive number of roosters.
• Imbalance of maturity or size between males and females also affects mating success.
• Spurs are not trimmed causes severe scratching of hens and then hens will run from mating attempts or roosters have malformed toes making it difficult for them to keep balance on the back of the hens during mating.
• Improper design of the breeding house, affecting the roosters and hens.
• The parent flock is diseased.
• Improper feeding practices of the parent flock leading to overweight or late sexual maturity (especially for roosters).
• Inadequate space – crowding also creates problems. Too much space can also reduce successful matings.
• Mite or ectoparasite infestations dramatically affect male fertility

Starting a seedling bed using eggshells is a simple and eco-friendly way to grow plants from seeds. Here is a brief summary of how to do it:

1. Rinse and dry the eggshells. It’s important to clean the eggshells well to prevent any bacteria or odor from affecting the seedlings. You can also bake the eggshells in the oven for a few minutes to sterilize them.
2. Crack the top of the eggshells off and remove the egg yolk and white. You can use a small spoon or a toothpick to do this.
3. Fill the eggshells with soil or seed starting mix. Make sure to leave enough space at the top for the seeds.
4. Plant the seeds according to the instructions on the seed packet. It’s generally a good idea to plant one or two seeds per eggshell, depending on the size of the seeds.
5. Water the seeds gently, using a watering can or a spray bottle. Be careful not to overwater, as the eggshells may break if they get too wet.
6. Place the eggshells in a sunny location, such as a windowsill or greenhouse. The seedlings will need plenty of sunlight to grow.
7. Once the seedlings have grown large enough, you can transplant them into pots or your garden. To do this, gently crack the bottom of the eggshells and gently pull the seedlings out, being careful not to damage the roots. Then, plant them in their new location and water them well.

Using eggshells to start seedlings is a fun and eco-friendly way to grow plants from seeds. With a little bit of care and attention, you can have a beautiful bed of seedlings in no time.

Total Estimated Initial Cost: 110,600 – 279,650 KES

The Pearson square, also known as the balancing equation, is a tool used to formulate balanced chicken diets using two ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the Pearson square to formulate a chicken diet:

1. Determine the nutrient levels of the two ingredients you want to use in the diet. You’ll need to know the crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber content of each ingredient.
2. Calculate the nutrient levels of the diet as a whole. To do this, you’ll need to determine the proportion of each ingredient in the diet. For example, if you want to use 50% ingredient A and 50% ingredient B, the nutrient levels of the diet will be the average of the nutrient levels of the two ingredients.
3. Calculate the nutrient imbalance. Using the nutrient levels of the diet and the desired nutrient levels for your chickens, calculate the nutrient imbalance by subtracting the desired nutrient levels from the actual nutrient levels.
4. Adjust the proportion of the ingredients. To correct the nutrient imbalance, you’ll need to adjust the proportion of the two ingredients in the diet. To do this, use the Pearson square to solve for the unknown proportion of one of the ingredients.
5. Recalculate the nutrient levels of the diet. Once you’ve adjusted the proportion of the ingredients, recalculate the nutrient levels of the diet to ensure that it meets the desired nutrient levels for your chickens.
6. Repeat the process as needed. If the nutrient levels of the diet are still not balanced, you may need to repeat the process of adjusting the proportion of the ingredients and recalculating the nutrient levels until the desired balance is achieved.

Using the Pearson square to formulate a chicken diet can help ensure that your chickens are receiving the proper nutrients for optimal growth and health.

Yes, rice can be fed to chickens as a supplement to their regular diet. Rice is a good source of carbohydrates and can provide chickens with energy. However, it should not be the sole source of nutrients in a chicken’s diet. Chickens also need a balanced diet that includes protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

To feed rice to chickens, you can offer it cooked or uncooked. If you choose to feed uncooked rice, it’s important to soak it first to soften it and make it easier for the chickens to digest. You can also mix rice with other ingredients, such as grains or vegetables, to create a more balanced meal.

It’s important to note that rice should not make up a large portion of a chicken’s diet. Chickens can develop digestive issues if they consume too much rice, as it can lead to an imbalance in their nutrient intake. It’s generally recommended to offer rice as a supplement to a chicken’s regular diet rather than as a primary source of nutrition.

It’s difficult to provide an accurate estimate of how much a chicken farmer in Kenya might make in a year, as there are many factors that can impact a farmer’s income. These can include the size of the farm, the type of chickens being raised, the demand for the chickens and their products, the efficiency of the operation, and the cost of inputs such as feed, medication, and labor.

That being said, according to a report by the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, the average income for a small-scale chicken farmer in Kenya is approximately KES 50,000 per year (which is equivalent to around $465 USD). This figure may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the farm and the region in which it is located.

It’s important to note that the income of a chicken farmer in Kenya may also be impacted by external factors such as market fluctuations, competition, and changes in government policies. In addition, chicken farming can be a risky venture, as it is vulnerable to diseases and other challenges that can affect the health and productivity of the birds.

Raising chicks in a brooder involves providing a safe and comfortable environment for them to grow and develop. Here are some steps to follow when managing chicks in a brooder from 0-8 weeks:

1. Set up the brooder: Choose a well-ventilated, draft-free space and equip it with a heat source, such as a heat lamp or ceramic heater, and a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Line the floor with a bedding material, such as wood shavings or straw, and provide a waterer and feeder for the chicks.
2. Keep the temperature and humidity at the right levels: Chicks need a warm environment to thrive, but the temperature should not be too hot or too cold. A good starting point is 95-97 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week, gradually reducing the temperature by 5 degrees each week until the chicks are 8 weeks old. Humidity should be kept at around 50-60% during the first week and gradually reduced as the chicks grow.
3. Monitor the chicks’ health: Keep an eye on the chicks for signs of illness, such as sneezing, coughing, or lethargy. If you notice any issues, isolate the affected chicks and seek the advice of a veterinarian.
4. Provide a constant supply of clean water: Chicks need a constant supply of clean water to stay hydrated. Check and refill the waterer regularly and make sure the chicks can easily access it.
5. Offer a high-quality starter feed: Provide the chicks with a high-quality starter feed that is specifically formulated for chicks. Offer the feed in a shallow dish or trough so the chicks can easily reach it. As the chicks grow, gradually transition them to a grower feed.
6. Keep the brooder clean: Clean the brooder regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria and parasites. Remove any uneaten feed and wet bedding and replace it with fresh bedding material.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your chicks grow up healthy and strong.