Poultry Keeping

Why keep poultry?

Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese. In Kenya, chickens are the most common, bringing eggs, meat and income to many homes. The KICD Grade 6 Agriculture curriculum teaches learners how to keep them well.

Types of chicken

• Layers: kept for eggs.
• Broilers: kept for meat and grow fast.
• Indigenous (kienyeji): hardy local chickens, kept for both.

Housing

A good poultry house:

1. is dry, clean and well ventilated
2. protects birds from rain, wind and thieves
3. has perches for resting and nests for laying
4. has litter such as dry grass or wood shavings on the floor

Feeding

Birds need:

• Chick mash for chicks
• Growers mash for young birds
• Layers mash for laying hens
• Clean water always
• Grit and greens for extra nutrients

Hygiene and health

• Clean feeders and drinkers daily.
• Remove wet litter.
• Keep sick birds apart.
• Vaccinate against Newcastle disease and fowl pox.
• Control lice and mites.

Products and income

Eggs, meat, feathers and manure all have value. Records of eggs laid, feed bought and sales help farmers see their profit.

Try it

• Draw a simple poultry house and label its parts.
• Make a weekly feeding plan for ten layers.
• List four hygiene practices for a poultry house.