Poultry farming has emerged as one of the most lucrative ventures in the country, offering farmers significant financial returns once they invest. This success story is exemplified by Jackson Achiela and his team, whose operations have set a benchmark for excellence in the industry.
Clad in a maroon overcoat, a blue T-shirt, and white gumboots, Achiela starts every visit to the chicken pen with a crucial biosecurity step: dipping his boots in disinfectant. This measure is just one of many meticulously implemented practices that have elevated this farm to one of the finest in Kenya.
The farm boasts an impressive population of 3,500 chickens, including indigenous and Kenbro breeds, along with 500 robust cockerels. As the farm manager, Achiela meticulously inspects the laying nests, ensuring that the 2,000 hens and cockerels meet their daily egg production targets.
“We collect over 100 trays of eggs daily, which are placed in our 15,000-egg capacity incubator for hatching. We don’t sell eggs,” Achiela explains. “Instead, we focus on breeding for our clients. Many of them come from Tanzania and Uganda, although we serve a significant local market as well. Each week, we sell up to 6,000 chicks.”
The farm’s unique approach centers on the incubation and sale of day-old chicks rather than the direct sale of eggs. The process begins with the careful collection of eggs, which are then placed in a state-of-the-art incubator. To ensure only the highest quality, Achiela and his team use a candler to inspect the eggs for blood spots, cracks, and other defects.
“Any defective egg is excluded from the hatching process as it can rot and potentially contaminate the rest with bacteria,” Achiela notes.
Focusing on day-old chick sales has proven transformative for the business. “Our chicks are sold locally and to neighboring countries like Tanzania and Uganda through the Migori and Busia border points,” Achiela reveals. This cross-border trade is facilitated by local agents who distribute the chicks, creating a robust network that spans national boundaries.
The farm’s journey began with its founder, Washington Omollo, who invested Sh200,000 to kickstart the venture. His initial investment covered the purchase of 4,000 layers and the construction of a poultry house. Currently based in Nairobi, Omollo oversees the overall administration of the farm. Despite challenges such as competition from cheap Ugandan eggs in the local market, he has leveraged the untapped potential of selling chicks to neighboring countries.
Feed costs remain one of the farm’s significant challenges, amounting to Sh70,000 per month due to reliance on commercial feeds. To mitigate this, Omollo has imported a feed mixer from China at a cost of approximately Sh1 million. “This will allow us to lower production costs by processing our own feeds using ingredients like omena, maize bran, and cotton seeds. We also plan to supply these feeds to other farmers,” Omollo explains.
Vaccination is another critical aspect of the farm’s operations. Chicks are vaccinated against diseases such as Newcastle Disease, Marek’s Disease, Gumboro, Coccidiosis, and Fowl Pox, ensuring their health and productivity.
Through strategic planning, dedication, and innovative practices, Achiela and Omollo have built a thriving poultry farm that not only serves local farmers but also meets the growing demand in neighboring countries. Their story is a testament to the immense potential of poultry farming as a sustainable and profitable venture.
