Feedback: Template for a good chicken house

Cross-section dimensions of a good chicken house. FILE | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • A poultry housing plan depends on the production system you want to adopt, that is whether intensive, semi-intensive or free-range.
  • With the improved housing, your cows will be safer and monitored closely for optimal milk yield. Now focus on maintaining high standards of hygiene.
  • East Coast Fever vaccination should be safe on an in-calf cow, however, extra caution should be exercised if it is to be done during the third trimester (6-9 months of pregnancy).
  • There is a shortage of yellow capsicums in big hotels and supermarkets and they fetch higher prices compared to the red and green capsicums.

POULTRY HOUSE MEASUREMENTS

What is the standard poultry house measurements and supply the sketch for me to know the materials required?
Farmer

A poultry housing plan depends on the production system you want to adopt, that is whether intensive, semi-intensive or free-range.

Above is an example of a deep litter house for 130 layers or 350 broilers. The birds are confined and well-protected.

With low masonry walls set on a concrete floor and wire mesh on the upper part of the walls, the building excludes rats and birds.

Timber off-cuts, iron sheets and other materials can be used for the walls. The house can be designed up to 9m in width and any length that is needed.

A diagram representation of an ideal chicken house. FILE | COURTESY

The density of birds is approximately four to five per square metre of floor area.

Ronald K. Kimitei,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

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DAIRY TRAINING

The standard zero-grazing unit design you shared with me has enabled me improve my structure a great deal.

Now, where can I attend a short course or training on dairy?

Cosmas

With the improved housing, your cows will be safer and monitored closely for optimal milk yield. Now focus on maintaining high standards of hygiene.

On training, your request is timely.

DairyCloud in collaboration with Egerton University experts will be holding training on Dairy Management at the university.

The training is scheduled February 2 to 3 and it will be more practical oriented to enhance skills on dairy management.

For further enquires, contact 0723309022.

Felix Akatch Opinya,
Department of Animal Science, Egerton University.

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VACCINE USE IN IN-CALF COWS

I am Choge and would like to get your professional advice on the following aspects of dairy farming:

1. Is it advisable to give dairy meal to in-calf heifers from three months?

You can introduce them to dairy meal at this time but remember it will increase your cost of production without a commensurate return on output at this period of pregnancy.

Optimum levels of 0.5-1kg per day of dairy meal can be fed to supplement their diet.

Gladys Boss Shollei with some of her in-calf cattle at the unit hosting them in their farm in Uasin Gishu. The level of feeding in-calf cows should be increased to a recommended rate of 2kg per day during the last trimester of gestation (6-9 months of pregnancy) to steam up the heifer. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The level of feeding should be increased to a recommended rate of 2kg per day during the last trimester of gestation (6-9 months of pregnancy) to steam up the heifer.

2. Does deworming affect in-calf cows? 

Deworming in most cases is safe for in-calf cows, but the main precaution is on the product used. Most products in the market today have been extensively studied regarding safety on reproduction and their use.

The label on the product to be administered to an animal should be read, understood, and followed. If one is not sure, kindly inquire at point of purchase on safety of the product to be used.

3. Does vaccination against East Coast Fever has any effect on in-calf cow?

East Coast Fever vaccination should be safe on an in-calf cow, however, extra caution should be exercised if it is to be done during the third trimester (6-9 months of pregnancy).

Dr Jesse Thuo,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Egerton University.

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I HAVE INTEREST IN CROP FARMING

I am fresh from campus where I studied actuarial science and I am really interested in farming.

My idea is to grow pepper after learning that it does not need so much capital since it isn’t attacked by many pests and diseases.

I am asking for advice on whether it’s a nice venture, where I can get the seeds, how it’s doing in the current market and the best type to grow.

Celextn, Meru, Kenya

You have not specified the type of pepper you want to grow, whether sweet or hot. However, capsicum (sweet pepper) production is becoming a lucrative business in Kenya as most farmers are growing green and red varieties for sale.

A capsicum farmer inspects his crops in a greenhouse in Kajiado. Yellow capsicums fetch higher prices compared to the red and green ones. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

There is a shortage of yellow capsicums in big hotels and supermarkets and they fetch higher prices compared to the red and green capsicums.

The green and red capsicums go from Sh5-Sh10 while the yellow capsicum from Sh20-Sh50. Hot pepper, especially red chilli is also profitable and can be sold locally or exported.

Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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HAMPSHIRE SHEEP

I am looking for pure ‘Amsha sheep’. Where can I get it in Nyandarua County?

John Kangethe

I suppose you are referring to Hampshire breed of sheep. This breed is primarily raised for meat production since the animals mature faster and are heavily boned with lean carcass.

They are also used in crossbreeding for upgrading purposes, commonly used as terminal sires.

In Nyandarua County, make inquiries at Kalro, Ol’Joro Orok substation through 0710854357/0202026510 or email: [email protected] for the breeding stock.

Felix Akatch Opinya,
Department of Animal Science, Egerton University.

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GOOD DAIRY COW

My name is Geoffrey Chalulot from Bomet County. I need to know where to get a good dairy cow.

Good dairy cows are usually pedigree animals that have been upgraded through several generations.

Such cattle have continuously been selected for higher milk yield, fertility and dairy character among other traits.

These are cattle that are kept by reputable private and government-owned farms across the country.

A Ruai dairy farmer feeds his pedigree fleckviehs in his farm. Good dairy cows are usually pedigree animals that have been upgraded through several generations. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Fortunately, most of these farms have registered their dairy animals with the Kenya Livestock Breeders Organisation. Contact their head office (next to Nakuru Show Ground) through P.O. Box 478-20,100, Nakuru or email [email protected] or call them any weekday between 8am and 5pm on +254702251249.

Ronald Kimitei,
Department of Animal Science, Egerton University.

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SHOULD I GO FOR ONIONS, MAIZE OR WATERMELONS?

I’m Collins Mwendwa from Kitengela.

I really appreciate your articles as they have been quite informative. I am in the final steps of planning and wanted to commence farming this month.

I have found some land on the outskirts of the town. I am torn between growing onions, watermelons or maize. I don’t have much capital. Kindly assist.

Onion and watermelon production are good ventures.

Onions mature in three months and according to Nafis (government website), you can get Sh800,000 from an acre and after deducting the production cost of Sh150,000, you get a profit of Sh650,000.

Watermelons mature within 75-100 days depending on the variety. An acre of watermelon will give 20,000 fruits and if the average price is Sh100, then a farmer can get Sh2 million.

Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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REARING GOATS

I have 20 acres of fertile land in Eldama ravine, which has warm and temperate climate.

I would like to start rearing free-range goats for meat. Please advise on the best breeds and where I can get them.

Yatich

Indigenous lineage goats best adapt to local environmental conditions and would, thus, thrive better in free-range production systems.

Galla goats or their crosses with exotic meat breeds such as the Boer will be ideal around Eldama Ravine and its environs.

A Nyeri goat farmer attends to her goats. Galla goats or their crosses with exotic meat breeds such as the Boer are ideal around Eldama Ravine and its environs. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

You can source these goats from public auction markets in your county. Alternatively, you can contact Yator (0722571534) of Kimose Sheep and Goats Station, Baringo County.

The station is a government-owned farm mandated to breed sheep and goats for sale to farmers.

Ronald K. Kimitei,
Department of Animal Science, Egerton University.