Poultry farming has emerged as a thriving business, particularly among young people who are drawn to the potential for quick and substantial returns.
Catherine Macharia is one such entrepreneur who turned to poultry farming when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Recognizing the growing dependency of urban residents on rural areas for food supplies, she saw an opportunity to establish a chicken farming business in Nairobi.
A medical professional by trade, Catherine began raising broiler chicks on the rooftop of her residential building in Saika, Nairobi. She purchases day-old chicks, nurtures them, and then sells them as fully grown chickens after just four weeks.
Catherine favors broilers because they are specifically bred for rapid growth, allowing them to reach market weight quickly. “I initially raised both broilers and layers but based on my experience, I decided to focus entirely on broilers because they only take 28 days to reach the market,” she explained. In contrast, layers require four to five months of feeding before they start laying eggs, making them less appealing to her.
Through her poultry venture, Catherine has achieved significant milestones that she believes would have been unattainable in a traditional employment setting. Currently, she manages 200 two-week-old chicks and 350 three-week-old chicks. She purchases the day-old chicks for Sh 95 each and sells the mature chickens for between Sh 350 and Sh 400.
Her primary customers include hotels and individual buyers, providing her with a reliable market for her poultry products.
