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Chicken farming proves to be a profitable venture in Kenya, as many families across the country maintain poultry at home.
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Vincent Isambo, who works as an agribusiness consultant, offered his perspectives on the key factors Kenyans should keep in mind while constructing a chicken coop.
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The specialist suggested that the location should be safeguarded against predators and theft and also ensure adequate ventilation.
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The SANGGRALOKA.co.ke correspondent Japhet Ruto brings more than eight years of expertise in covering finance, business, and technological sectors. His deep understanding provides valuable perspectives on both Kenya’s and international economic patterns.
Constructing a coop is crucial as it ensures the well-being and productivity of your chickens, maintains efficient management, and minimizes ecological impact.
What reasons are there for constructing a chicken coop?
The coop safeguards chickens from predators, theft, harsh weather conditions, and offers refuge for laying eggs and brooding hens.
As stated by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), poultry housing should include ventilation openings on both sides.
“Make sure the wind circulates through the house without creating drafts (chill). For poultry houses, provide vents on both sides for adequate airflow. A vent or ridge on the rooftop will guarantee good ventilation and allow sunlight,” according to KALRO instructions.
Elements to take into account when constructing a chicken coop
Vincent Isambo, an agribusiness advisor, offered his expertise on the key factors Kenyans should keep in mind while constructing a chicken coop.
Below are his recommendations:
1. Topography
Isambo says that the site chosen for constructing the chicken coop needs to be both dry and level.
He advised staying away from locations with poor drainage. Conversely, you could raise the house above the ground level, and in cases of rectangular buildings, position the gable ends to align with the East-West axis.
In commercial poultry farming, six laying hens require one square meter of space, whereas 11 broiler chickens can be housed within the same area.
2. Security
Another aspect to take into account for preventing or reducing losses is security.
Isambo suggests that the location needs to be both secure and free from threats posed by predators and thieves.
“In order to deter rodents and reptiles, ensure that you eliminate all vegetation within a radius of at least three meters around your home’s exterior. For keeping out predators and removing feces, opt for raised or slatted floors. Make sure to also clean up any sharp items on the ground to prevent possible harm. It is recommended to install concrete flooring as it simplifies sanitization and maintenance processes,” he elaborated.
3. Cost of materials
In order to lower the expenses of building, the specialist recommended that poultry farmers utilize resources found nearby.
“He suggested using readily accessible resources such as lumber, metal roofing sheets, and scraps. Make sure to strip away all the tree bark from the wood to minimize the pest infestation,” he stated.
4. Accessibility
The website ought to be user-friendly for those engaged in commercial poultry farming, allowing clients to select the birds they desire with ease.
“it needs to be situated where there’s an efficient road system for convenient customer access and smooth movement of goods. additionally, it must include essential facilities such as water supply and power,” stated isambo.
5. Waste management
To minimize external contaminants, set up a footbath at the entrance for shoe cleaning. Ensure there’s enough space so people do not skip this step accidentally.
Isambo suggested ample space to allow cleaners to gather refuse for utilization.
There needs to be adequate room for gathering waste from the chickens, which can serve as fertilizer, along with instructions on handling this process.
What factors determine the size of eggs?
Other stories worth noting involve various factors that affect the clutch size of eggs produced by a poultry farmer’s chickens.
These factors vary from the hen’s feeding habits to environmental circumstances, yet they significantly affect output.
Grasping these elements can enhance egg production efficiency and maintain superior output quality.
What errors do chicken farmers commonly commit?
Earlier,
SANGGRALOKA.co.ke
It has been reported that poultry farming has turned into a profitable venture for numerous Kenyans who have effectively managed to turn a profit from it.
Harrison Omuka, a thriving poultry farmer, highlighted five errors commonly committed by farmers in this sector that impact their profitability.
Omuka told
SANGGRALOKA.co.ke
A proficient farmer recognizes the significance of assessing accessible funds and the necessary investments for their agricultural enterprise.
