In a small village in the outskirts of Kakamega town, Kenya, Seka Ibrahim Kutai, a secondary school teacher, found himself drowning in a sea of debts.
Seeking a way to complete his retirement home, he took a substantial loan of Ksh3 million from his bank.
Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances led to him having only Ksh30,000 left, and his dream home was still far from completion.
Determined to find a solution, Kutai decided to venture into poultry farming to supplement his income and make his dream a reality.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
From Debt to Poultry Farming
With the remaining cash, Kutai took a leap of faith and invested.
“When I realised the Sh3 million was almost over and I had nothing on the side apart from my salary bringing us extra income, I used the remaining cash to buy 300 day-old chicks,” he recalled during an earlier interview.
However, the lack of a power supply to provide the necessary warmth for the chicks posed a challenge.
Resourceful as he was, Kutai purchased an improvised jiko (charcoal stove) to serve the purpose temporarily.
Though unfamiliar with poultry farming, he diligently sought advice and received lessons on rearing the chicks to maturity.
At seven days old, the chicks received their first vaccination against Newcastle disease.
Following the instructions meticulously, Kutai ensured that the birds were in good health.
“I did everything I needed to do to ensure my chicks were in good health. At 21 days, I vaccinated them against bronchitis and administered another dose of Newcastle vaccine,” he added.
As they grew, their diet transitioned from starter mash to chick mash, and finally, to layers’ mash as they approached maturity at eight weeks.
The First Success
With time and care, Kutai’s flock flourished.
At five months old, he made a strategic decision to sell the 50 cocks he had.
Each bird was sold for kSh1,200, marking the first success in his poultry farming venture.
The profit was a welcome relief, bolstering his determination to continue.
Over the next 18 months, Kutai’s flock thrived, and he earned over Ksh1 million from their eggs and meat.
Demand for Kienyeji chicken and eggs was high in his area, motivating him to expand his business further.
Expansion and Diversification
Seeing the potential in the market, Kutai increased his flock to 1,500 birds.
Not content with just egg production, he also ventured into hatching chicks.
By selling one-month-old chicks at Ksh250 and two-month-old chicks at Ksh350 or even Ksh500, depending on their weight, Kutai ensured a steady stream of income to cover the expenses of maintaining the larger flock.
His wife, Everlyne Ludenyo, became an essential partner in this venture, providing unwavering support and commitment.
The couple’s dedication to their business paid off, as their customer base expanded rapidly.
Peak seasons like Easter and Christmas brought a surge in demand, allowing them to sell over 1,200 birds and 5,000 eggs in just one month.
Sustainable Farming Practices
Kutai and Everlyne embraced sustainable farming practices to enhance their poultry farming enterprise.
Utilizing waste from the improved Kienyeji birds as fertilizer, they collected and sold it for Ksh300 per sack during planting seasons.
This not only generated additional income but also contributed to the reduction of waste in their community.
The couple also cultivated kales and amaranth, using these nutritious greens to feed their layers.
The result was not only healthy, happy chickens but also eggs with a distinct and delightful taste, appreciated by their customers.
Socio-Economic Impact
Their poultry farming success has had a significant impact on their lives.
The steady income from the venture allowed Kutai and Everlyne to pay school fees for their children and complete the furnishing of their home.
This financial stability has not only lifted them out of debt but has also provided them with a sense of security for their future.
