In today’s fast-paced world, many people dream of leaving their corporate jobs to pursue their passion and build a successful business.
For Colleta Musyimi, a determined woman from Machakos County, that dream became a reality in 2016 when she decided to leave her formal employment and venture into the poultry business.
Little did she know that her leap of faith would lead her to become a poultry millionaire.
Colleta’s journey began with a modest capital of Ksh1.2 million, which she used to kickstart her poultry farming venture.
Her initial attempts in hardware and wholesale businesses didn’t yield the desired results, but she found her calling when she noticed the untapped potential in the local poultry market.
Having seen opportunities and readily available markets in the poultry sector, she decided to seize the chance and dedicate herself to poultry farming.
“I started with 300 chicks, but later added 700, making them 1,000 after realising that the business was thriving and I was making lots of profits,” Musyimi said in an earlier Interview.
Starting with a small flock of 300 chicks, Colleta diligently worked to nurture and grow her business.
She quickly learned the ropes and recognized the potential for growth and profit in the poultry industry.
“My motivation was when I realised that there were no people in the business from the entire Mbiuni and Masii area. I, therefore, opted to venture into the business,” she added.
A key factor in Colleta’s success lies in her adoption of modern poultry farming technology.
The battery cage system, which she employed in her farm, allowed for efficient feeding, reduced feed wastage, and ensured that eggs remained clean and intact.
Although the initial setup costs were substantial, the long-term benefits far outweighed the investment.
With minimal management costs and increased productivity, Colleta witnessed her profits soar to new heights.
The path to success, however, wasn’t without its share of challenges.
In the initial stages, the chicks were susceptible to diseases, demanding her utmost care and attention.
But as they matured, Colleta found that the birds required significantly less maintenance and medical attention.
From four months onwards, the birds began laying eggs, and her workload lessened, allowing her to focus on scaling her business further.
Colleta’s success extends beyond her entrepreneurial achievements.
She has managed to keep her labor costs to a minimum, employing only one laborer to care for the 1,000 birds.
This efficient approach, combined with the benefits of the battery cage system, has undoubtedly contributed to her financial triumph.
With her keen business acumen and determination, Colleta established a stable and profitable market for her products.
As of 2021, selling her eggs in towns such as Masii, Kabaa, Kithimani, and Makutano, she received a minimum of Sh300 per crate, each containing 30 eggs.
Selling at least 100 crates every four days, her business has become a bustling hub of productivity and prosperity.
As her business flourished, Colleta made it a priority to ensure the welfare of her birds. However, her use of the battery cage system raised concerns among animal welfare organizations like the Africa Network for Animal Welfare NGO.
They advocate for a free-range system, emphasizing the birds’ right to move, nest, and express their natural behaviours freely.
