KARI Improved Kienyeji Chicken The introduction of KARI Improved Kienyeji Chicken farming in Kenya by the Kenya Agricultural Research Ins...
The introduction of KARI Improved Kienyeji Chicken farming in Kenya by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute in the year 2011 has given a new face to Poultry Farming in Kenya.
Kienyeji chicken farming in Kenya has been quite a widespread type of poultry farming that is mainly found over the rural and semi rural areas. However, in the recent past, it has found its way among some urban areas although is yet to be absorbed fully as a part of mainstream sources of income in the urban areas. The name KIENYEJI is a local Swahili whose English equivalent is ‘Free range’.
KARI Improved Kienyeji Chicken – Characteristics
The breed develops faster, is highly resistant to diseases and has high productivity.
It achieves 1.5 kg in about five months when the rest of the indigenous breeds take up to seven months or more ability to withstand harsh conditions is amazing kari kienyeji chicken
The feathering system makes it adjust faster than the time taken by others to acclimatise with any climatic conditions, including the arid and semi-arid regions.
The chicken is easy to maintain since it can be kept under the free range system or deep litter depending on a farmer’s financial ability and objectives.
To mature faster or produce more eggs one is advised to keep them in a semi-intensive or deep litter system.
Farmers in Kenya have an option of keeping them as layers, for meat or both.
A hen can produce between 220 and 280 eggs a year. This is almost similar to a white leghorn exotic layer kept in a deep litter system.
A fully grown kienyeji cockerel costs Sh1,000 while a hen costs Sh600.
You can use different ways to develop stock for any Kienyeji breed.
Buy day old chick from trusted farmers doing breeding for the kienyeji breed
Buy fertile eggs and hatch your own chicks
Buy mature hens for meat or egg productions
