Amidst the escalating unemployment rates in the country, numerous Kenyans are actively seeking alternative means of survival rather than fixating solely on conventional white-collar employment opportunities.
Immaculate Ochieng’s narrative epitomizes this shift in perspective, demonstrating a determination to transcend the confines of being a stay-at-home mom by venturing into entrepreneurial pursuits. Her inspiring journey, chronicled by Awuorinspirationhub, began with a strategic utilization of funds from her chamaa savings in 2012, marking the inception of her poultry business.
Commencing with the purchase of a 60-capacity egg incubator and two crates of eggs amounting to Sh. 1,800, Immaculate’s enterprise received a significant boost from her supportive husband. His involvement included acquiring birds and constructing a poultry house, while Immaculate invested in a Sh. 44,000 incubator and a feed mixer.
Over the years, Immaculate’s business has flourished, currently boasting a poultry stock exceeding 700 kuroilers chickens. Engaged in the sale of eggs, meat birds, and hatching chicks, her entrepreneurial journey spans more than three years.
In addition to a 3,000-egg capacity incubator for hatching eggs and offering brooding services to fellow farmers, Immaculate has streamlined her operations. She collects 860 eggs every two weeks, reserving up to 350 for hatching, and sells unfertilized eggs at Sh. 330 per crate, with fertilized ones priced at Sh. 900.
To mitigate the escalating costs of purchasing feeds, Immaculate adopts a proactive approach. She acquires ingredients such as maize germ, sunflower and cotton seed cake, pollard, grounded shells, and salt from reputable dealers in Kisumu. Immaculate underscores the importance of relying on a single, trustworthy supplier for ingredient procurement, emphasizing the potential contamination risks associated with market-sold ingredients that could adversely impact poultry health.
Immaculate proudly attests that her venture into the poultry business has not only liberated her from the constraints of being a stay-at-home mom but has also positioned her among the accomplished players in the farming industry. Her success serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of individuals navigating the challenging landscape of unemployment.
