Broiler chicken farming is steadily gaining ground in Kasphat, where farmers are venturing into the enterprise despite escalating costs and persistent disease threats.
For many residents, the sector has become not only a livelihood but also a promise for food security.
James Kagacha, a laboratory technician-turned-poultry farmer, is among those reaping from the enterprise.
He began broiler farming in March 2025 with 300 chicks and has since expanded to 700 and adopting stringent management practices.
“While the returns can be rewarding, the process demands strict management and resilience,” explains Kagacha.
Kagacha sources one-day-old chicks from Isinya Farms and prepares their housing in advance by disinfecting and insulating to protect them from cold.
On arrival, the chicks are given glucose water, followed by starter crumbs and vitamin supplements before transitioning to pellets.
With proper care, he says broilers can double the investment. His 700 birds cost about Sh320,000 to raise, including feed and medical care.
By selling each at Sh500, he earns Sh350,000, making a profit of around Sh30,000 in three weeks.
However, he cites high feed prices as the greatest challenge. A 50-kilogram bag of pellets now costs Sh4,000, with his flock consuming two bags daily worth Sh8,000.
Unpredictable weather and poultry diseases such as salmonella and water belly also threaten production.
To minimize losses, he maintains strict hygiene protocols, including daily cleaning and disinfection, and ensures constant supply of clean water.
Despite these hurdles, Kagacha remains optimistic. He is currently expanding his poultry houses to increase capacity to 1,000 chicks, hoping to improve returns further.
“Broiler farming sustains my family and contributes to food security. With rising demand for poultry products, the sector holds great promise,” he said.
By Njoroge Gladys
