Chicken

Description

The chicken value chain in Kenya is a complex and dynamic system that encompasses a wide range of actors, from small-scale farmers to large-scale commercial producers and processors. Small-scale farmers are the main players in the chicken industry, accounting for over 80% of total production. They typically raise indigenous chickens, which are hardy and well-adapted to local conditions. However, small-scale farmers often face challenges such as access to capital, adaptive breeds, technical expertise, and markets.

Large-scale commercial producers are increasingly playing a more important role in the Kenyan chicken industry. They typically raise broilers and commercial layers, which are fast-growing chickens that are bred for meat and egg production. Large-scale producers have the advantage of economies of scale and access to technology, but they also face challenges such as disease outbreaks and environmental concerns.

Over 90% of rural households in Kenya rear chicken as a major source of income through the sale of eggs and live birds at farm gate prices. The chicken value chain is linked to other economic activities thus creating employment opportunities and improving many household livelihoods. It  also serves as a means of capital accumulation, and insurance against risks and is valued in the religious and socio-cultural activities of most communities. 

Demand for chicken and their products is ever-increasing due to urbanization, increasing human population, decreasing agricultural land, consumer preference, and changes in human eating habits. Despite the increasing demand, production output from the value chain is still low due to low genetic potential, seasonal fluctuation in the quality and quantity of feeds, high disease and parasite prevalence, climatic variability, and inadequate policies and infrastructure. Nevertheless, there is enormous potential to transform the chicken industry from subsistence to commercial status through strategic research and technological innovations. 

Suitability Maps

Plate 1. The chicken Value Chain is suitable in all the Counties in Kenya

Publications

Books and Book Chapters:

1. Ilatsia, E.D., Magothe, T., Murage, A.W., Alaru, P. and K’Oloo, T.O (Eds). (2016) Indigenous Chicken Breeding – Towards Registration of indigenous KALRO breed lines. Proceedings of project initiation workshop held in Njoro, Kenya, 10-12th August 2016. 57p ISBN 978-9966-30-028-7. https://www.kalro.org/asal-aprp/docs/Poultry%20Breeding;%20Towards%20registration%20of%20Indigenous%20Poultry%20breeds.pdf  
2. Ilatsia D. E., Wasike B.C., Ouko O., Miyumo S., and Okitoyi L. (2022). Commercial Poultry Success Stories in Kenya: Drivers and Lessons. FARA Research Report 6 (11): Pp 50. https://library.faraafrica.org/2022/06/30/commercial-poultry-success-stories-in-kenya-drivers-and-lessons/
3. Smith J, Alfieri J, M, Anthony N, Arensburger P, Athrey G, Balacco J, Balic A, Bardou P, Barela P, Bigot Y, Blackmon H, Borodin P, M, Carroll R, Casono M, C, Charles M, Cheng H, Chiodi M, Cigan L, Coghill L, M, Crooijmans R, Das N, Davey S, Davidian A, Degalez F, Dekkers J, M, Derks M, Diack A, B, Djikeng A, Drechsler Y, Dyomin A, Fedrigo O, Fiddaman S, R, Formenti G, Frantz L, A, F, Fulton J, E, Gaginskaya E, Galkina S, Gallardo R, A, Geibel J, Gheyas A, Godinez C, J, P, Goodell A, Graves J, A, M, Griffin D, K, Haase B, Han J, -L, Hanotte O, Henderson L, J, Hou Z, -C, Howe K, Huynh L, Ilatsia E, Jarvis E, Johnson S, M, Kaufman J, Kelly T, Kemp S, Kern C, Keroack J, H, Klopp C, Lagarrigue S, Lamont S, J, Lange M, Lanke A, Larkin D, M, Larson G, Layos J, K, N, Lebrasseur O, Malinovskaya L, P, Martin R, J, Martin Cerezo M, L, Mason A, S, McCarthy F, M, McGrew M, J, Mountcastle J, Muhonja C, K, Muir W, Muret K, Murphy T, Ng’ang’a I, Nishibori M, O’Connor R, E, Ogugo M, Okimoto R, Ouko O, Patel H, R, Perini F, Pigozzi M, I, Potter K, C, Price P, D, Reimer C, Rice E, S, Rocos N, Rogers T, F, Saelao P, Schauer J, Schnabel R, Schneider V, Simianer H, Smith A, Stevens M, P, Stiers K, Tiambo C, K, Tixier-Boichard M, Torgasheva A, A, Tracey A, Tregaskes C, A, Vervelde L, Wang Y, Warren W, C, Waters P, D, Webb D, Weigend S, Wolc A, Wright A, E, Wright D, Wu Z, Yamagata M, Yang C, Yin Z, -T, Young M, Zhang G, Zhao B, Zhou H: Fourth Report on Chicken Genes and Chromosomes 2022. Cytogenet Genome Res (2023). doi: 10.1159/000529376. https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/529376  

Papers in refereed journals

1. Gikunju, M. M., Kabuage, L. W., Wachira, A. M., Oliech, G. W., & Gicheha, M. G. (2018). Evaluation of pure breeds, crossbreeds and indigenous chicken egg quality traits in Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 30(10). http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd30/10/giche30170.html  
2. Integrating African Leafy Vegetable Growing and Poultry Farming in Western Kenya: Okitoi, L.O., C.O. Ndinya., F.O. Wayua, L.F. Mungau, M.O. Odendo., J. Awino., B.N. Nyakundi.,N. Makete, E.M. Onyango in Centre - Annual Report 2019
3. Nginya, E. S., Ondiek, J. O., King’ori, A. M., & Nduko, J. M. (2019). Evaluation of grasshoppers as a protein source for improved indigenous chicken growers. Breast, 62(1.7), 0-45. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd31/1/shilo31002.html#:~:text=Sensory%20attributes%20of%20meat%20appeared,for%20fishmeal%20in%20poultry%20diets
4. Miyumo, S. A., Wasike, C. B., Ilatsia, E. D., Bennewitz, J., & Chagunda, M. G. (2023). Genetic and phenotypic correlations among feed efficiency, immune and production traits in indigenous chicken of Kenya. Frontiers in Genetics, 13, 1070304. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.1070304  
5. Miyumo, S., Wasike, C. B., Ilatsia, E. D., Bennewitz, J., & Chagunda, M. G. (2023). Genetic and non‐genetic factors influencing KLH binding natural antibodies and specific antibody response to Newcastle disease in Kenyan chicken populations. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 140(1), 106-120. DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12738, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36069173/
6. Ngaira, V.M., Mosi, R.O., Wambui, C.C., Wayua,  F. O., Wachira, A.M., and Ilatsia, E.D. (2022). Effects of Organic Substrates on Development and Survival of Blattela germanica for Food and Feed in Kenya. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 12, 484-492. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2022.123036.
7. Ngaira, V. M., Wambui, C. C., Mosi, R. O., Wayua, F. O., Wachira, A. M. & Ilatsia, E. D. (2023). Entomophagus Response of Indigenous Chicken to Diets Enriched with German Cockroach (Blattela germanica) Meal in Kenya. East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 5(1), 129-137. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajab.6.1.1221.
8. Ngaira, V. M., Wambui, C. C., Mosi, R. O., Wayua, F. O. & Ilatsia, E. D. (2022). Nutritional Value of German Cockroach Meal (Blattela germanica) as a SuperPRO Feed. Asian Journal of Research in Animal and Veterinary Sciences 5(3): 174-184, https://journalajravs.com/index.php/AJRAVS/article/view/202 .
9. Ngaira, V.M., Wayua, F.O., Mosi, R.O., Wambui, C.C., Alaru, P.A.O., Ochieng, V.O.  &  Ilatsia, E.D. (2023). Carcass Characteristic of Indigenous Chicken Fed on Diets Containing German Cockroach (Blattela germanica) Meal in Kenya. African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, April, Vol. 7, No. 3, https://ajest.info/index.php/ajest/article/view/903
10. Muremera,CN., MK Ambula, AM King'ori, ED Ilatsia and PAO Alaru. Effect of feeding enzyme-treated Moringa (M. oleifera) leaf meal based-diets on egg quality of improved indigenous layer chicken in Kenya. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry 2022; 7(5): 43-48. doi https://doi.org/10.22271/veterinary.2022.v7.i5a.443
11. Sumbule, E. K., Ambula, M. K., Osuga, I. M., Changeh, J. G., Mwangi, D. M., Subramanian, S., ... & Tanga, C. M. (2021). Cost-effectiveness of black soldier fly larvae meal as substitute of fishmeal in diets for layer chicks and growers. Sustainability, 13(11), 6074, https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/6074
12. Magothe, T. M., Okeno, T. O., Muhuyi, W. B., & Kahi, A. K. (2012). Indigenous chicken production in Kenya: I. Current status. World's Poultry Science Journal, 68(1), 119-132, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1017/S0043933912000128
13. Magothe, T. M., Okeno, T. O., Muhuyi, W. B., & Kahi, A. K. (2012). Indigenous chicken production in Kenya: II. Prospects for research and development. World's Poultry Science Journal, 68(1), 133-144, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1017/S004393391200013X
14. Magothe, T. M., Muhuyi, W. B., & Kahi, A. K. (2010). Influence of major genes for crested-head, frizzle-feather and naked-neck on body weights and growth patterns of indigenous chickens reared intensively in Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42, 173-183, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19579054/
15. Magothe, T. M., Muhuyi, W. B., & Kahi, A. K. (2011). Genetic parameters for egg and body weights of indigenous chicken in Kenya. Animal Production Society of Kenya, 36, https://apsk.or.ke/

Video Documentaries
1.    https://www.kalro.org/asal-aprp/sites/default/files/videos/original/KALRO%20Kienyeji%20Indigenous%20Chicken%20Farming_0.mp4
2.    https://youtu.be/Wxaf0Y4hSSg
3.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEQoUrob8oI 
4.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-awwp-pBO8 
5.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxaf0Y4hSSg&t=156s 

Manuals
1.    https://www.kalro.org/sites/default/files/indigenous_chicken.pdf
2.    https://www.kalro.org/csapp/images/SPADE-CLEP-manual_July-23-small1.pdf
3.     Tiambo, C.K., Pauline W. Kibui., Kamidi, C., Muteti, C., Hu, T., Kemp, S. and McGrew, M. 2021. Laboratory training manual on biobanking and recovery of indigenous poultry genetic resources by cryopreservation of primordial germ cells (PGCs). ILRI manual 53. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI. https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/117459 
4.    KALRO. (2023). Breeder management manual, KALRO Secretariat, Nairobi Kenya 
5.    KALRO. (2023). Hatchery Management Guide, KALRO Secretariat, Nairobi Kenya

Success Stories

Successfully established the strategic multiplication unit in Bomet County. This has greatly enhanced the accessibility of KALRO chicken germplasm within Bomet and the surrounding counties.

KALRO Chicken in one of the production houses at a multiplication unit in Bomet (Photo captured on 23th November 2023)

1,200-capacity chicken house under construction at Manera Primary School (Photo captured on 2nd December 2023)

 

KALRO is establishing a school feeding program at Manera Primary School. Children of less than ten years will be fed one egg per school day to supplement their daily meals. This will improve the children’s cognitive ability, nutrition and class attendance. The school will be supplied with 1,200 KALRO hens to support the program.

Mark Zusman, The CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) during his visit to the KALRO Poultry Unit on 27th April 2023.

Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), his delegation and scientists from ILRI (Ethiopia and Kenya) visited the KALRO poultry unit to appreciate the innovative poultry breeding research efforts. https://gender.cgiar.org/news/gates-foundation-ceo-mark-suzman-visits-transformative-poultry-research-kenya

Implementing Institutions

Master Trainers

1. Peter Alaru, Coordinator, Non-Ruminant Research Program (Animal and Food Science)
2. Anne Wachira, Chief Research Scientist, NRI (Animal Nutrition)
3. Ochieng Ouko, Research Scientist, NRI (Animal Breeding and Genetics)
4. Victor Ngaira, Research Scientist, NRI (Animal Nutrition)
5. Martin Mulandi, Research Scientist, NRI (Molecular Biology)
6. Tobias K'Oloo, Research Scientist, NRI (Rural Development Economics)
7. Martin Macharia, Technical Officer, NRI (Farm Management)
8. Gladys Wangui, Research Assistant, NRI (Animal Science)
9. Asaph Ngana, Technical Officer, NRI (Hatchery Management)
10. Scholastica Wambua, Assistant Director-Agribusiness, KALRO HQ (Agribusiness)
11. Ngeno Kiplangat, Senior Lecturer, Moi University (Animal Breeding and Genetics)
12. Wilfred Mutisya, Institute Vet-surgeon, DRI-KA (Animal Health)
13. Eric Mungube, Assistant Director, Animal Health - KALRO HQ (Animal Health)
14. Irene Ogali, Chief Research Scientist, VSRI (Animal Health)
15. Charles Muleke, Professor, Egerton University (Animal Health)
16. Luvidicus Okitoi, Senior Research Scientist, DRI (Animal Nutrition)