Daniel Mang’ong’o, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from Muraka village in Kakamega County, has turned his three-quarter-acre farm into a thriving poultry business.
His journey began in 2017 when he recognized the growing demand for white meat in the area.
To cater to this demand, he started rearing various poultry, including chickens, geese, turkeys, ducks, and guinea fowl.
What makes Mang’ong’o’s business unique is his focus on indigenous hens and their fertilized eggs.
He noticed that local residents had a preference for indigenous hens and their eggs over exotic breeds.
This realization led him to start selling these eggs at his shop, pricing them between Sh20 and Sh25.
Additionally, he adopts a tiered pricing strategy for his poultry, with cocks commanding slightly higher prices due to their weight.
An intriguing aspect of Mang’ong’o’s farming approach is his commitment to maximizing resource efficiency.
Instead of letting chicken droppings go to waste, he repurposes them as valuable fertilizer for his vegetable and indigenous banana crops.
By composting the droppings, he creates organic manure that contributes to the growth of his crops.
Research plays a pivotal role in Mang’ong’o’s success.
He has honed his egg selection skills by studying online resources. To hatch eggs, he employs a commercial incubator, paying Sh20 for each egg to the incubator owner.
After three weeks, he carefully tends to the chicks, ensuring they receive proper vaccinations and care.
Maintaining optimal health for his poultry is a priority for Mang’ong’o.
He achieves this by housing birds in separate compartments based on their ages, minimizing cannibalism and making monitoring easier.
He strategically places heat lamps within the compartments to ensure the birds stay warm and comfortable.
Mang’ong’o’s market extends beyond his village.
Orders for his poultry come from neighboring villagers, local schools, and hotels in nearby towns like Kakamega, Siaya, and Kisumu.
In a successful week, he can sell up to 50 birds, generating revenue of around Ksh50,000.
Like any business, Mang’ong’o faces challenges.
The cost of poultry feed and disease outbreaks are two significant hurdles. His weekly requirement of 70 kilos of poultry feed can strain his budget, as a bag costs Sh2,000.
Moreover, the labor-intensive nature of maintaining cleanliness, managing waste, and administering vaccines requires careful attention.
Despite these obstacles, Mang’ong’o remains undeterred.
He envisions a future where he expands his operation, produces his own feed, and explores value-added ventures to enhance his yields.
With his wife’s support, he has invested in plots of land, intending to build rental properties in the future.
