Following the completion of his secondary school education, Tony Kisasati enrolled at Kabete National Polytechnic where he earned a diploma in quantity surveying.
He graduated in 2019 with great aspirations for a successful career in construction and even landed his first paid position at the British American Tobacco Company, where he worked in the warehousing management department.
Kisasati was able to provide for his family through this profession; nevertheless, his aspirations were dashed when he lost his job at the corporation under “unclear circumstances.”
The abrupt job loss was devastating, leaving him without a source of income to maintain his family.
Faced with the hard realities of unemployment and high living costs, he resolved to think quickly and imaginatively about alternate ways to support his family.
As a result, Kisasati decided to delve into chicken raising.
“I chose chicken farming because it required little capital. With just Ksh 3,000, I could start something that would help me provide for my family,” he said.
After exploring other possible income-generating enterprises, Kisasati opted to start chicken farming because there is a higher demand for chickens in Migori.
With Ksh 3,000 from his small resources, he began his farm with ten Kencross breed chicks, each purchased for Ksh 100 from a local farmer.
He used the remaining Ksh 2000 to construct a well-ventilated coop.
Kisasati decided to concentrate on raising broiler chickens, which mature in three or four months, rather than layers, whose maturation and production took longer.
He also chose to raise chickens for meat because he was yet to create a hatchery for chicks, making it easier to handle and allowing him to generate a faster profit before bringing in another supply of chicks.
To run his business, Kisasati keeps the chicken house well-ventilated and carefully clean, changing the sawdust on a regular basis, washing the chicken feeders and warming the coop during the colder months as advised by his veterinarian.
“Keeping the chicken house clean and well-ventilated is crucial. It helps prevent diseases and keeps the chickens healthy,” he said.
Despite his efforts to keep his coop clean, Kisasati’s chicks succumbed to ailments such as stress and diminished hunger, slowing their growth and resulting in several deaths.
He decided to seek the advice of Robert Bramwel, a local veterinarian in Migori town, who suggested that he purchase medicine from the agro vet to strengthen their immunity, stimulate appetite and aid digestion.
Another issue Kisasati encountered in the early phases of his business was the cold weather at night, particularly during the rainy season.
This resulted in the loss of four of his chicks, which dealt a significant blow to his business. However, he did not abandon his business.
He decided to go back to the veterinarian for professional help.
With his assistance, Kisasati was able to manage the problem after being recommended to install a bulb in the coop to aid in temperature regulation using a dimmer switch, ensuring the survival of the remaining chicks during the cold months.
His perseverance, however, paid off when, four months later, he sold the six surviving hens to a buyer in Aroso for Ksh 1,100 each.
This resulted in his first-ever profit of Ksh 3,600 after deducting capital. He reinvested his profits and some of his resources to buy a stock of 50 additional chicks.
Two years into the business, one of his first notable triumphs occurred when he sold 50 chickens to a local customer in Migori for Ksh 54,600, with a cock selling for Ksh 800 and a hen for Ksh 1,200.
This accomplishment enabled him to expand his poultry farming into crop growing.
He rented out three acres of property using the profits he made from poultry farming.
Kisasati then started to experiment with his meals, employing a combination of sunflower seeds, sardines and maize from his rented three-acre farm.
He also supplements the birds’ feed with greens from his farm, resulting in a homemade solution that has proven to be both cost-efficient and effective in promoting the healthy growth of his chicks.
The maize crops offered additional food for his birds, substantially lowering his feed expenses.
Furthermore, he could reduce the capital required to purchase feed, increasing his overall profitability.
He plans to expand his activities, reinvesting money to raise the number of his flock and improve his farming infrastructure.
Kisasati’s ambition is to become a top chicken farmer in the region, offering high-quality chickens to a wider market.
“I want to expand and become one of the leading poultry farmers in Migori. The profits from my business will help me achieve that goal,” he explained.
