Feedback: The grams of feeds a layer should consume, from chicks to maturity

FEEDING LAYERS

I am Martin from Kianjai Meru County. How many grams of feeds should layers consume per day?

Feeding in chicken production contributes 60-70 per cent of the total costs.

Despite this, feed wastage is a still a major problem among poultry farmers, contributing to even higher costs.

Developing a sound feeding programme will help curb this. In layers, allow between 35-60g of feeds per chick, per day.

Gradually introduce growers mash, giving 60-90g of feeds per pullet per day as you increase with age.

Once the birds reach laying stage, provide a well-balanced formulated layers ration at about 110-140g of layers mash per day.

Layers feeds should be accompanied with clean drinking water.

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

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POTATO STATISTICS
I read the article by Francis Irungu on potatoes recently with a lot of interest. I am interested in improving potato yields per acre in Nyandarua County.

Do you have statistics on the potato production and the yields? If so please share.

Simon

Unfortunately I don’t have current statistics on the acreage of potato production, which is mainly attributed to weather changes.

However, I have data on current prices of Irish potatoes which have significantly dropped from about Sh3,000 in January to less than Sh2,000 in September (Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority).

This is mainly attributed to poor storage techniques and thus you can capitalise on the challenge so that you sell your potatoes at higher prices.

Francis Irungu,
Department of Dairy, Food Science and Technology, Egerton University.

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STARTING A PIG ENTERPRISE

I would like to start a pig rearing business and hereby request for a guide on a business plan. I have about five acres near a river in Soy, Uasin Gishu where I intend to start the venture.

Nicholas Tendwa 

First, I must commend you for taking the bold step in seeking professional advice before starting your agri-enterprise.

As you must have already noticed, a business plan will be pivotal to the success of your business.

It will not only keep you focused but also help you optimise business performance by eliminating excesses that may hinder you from realising maximum returns on investment.

We can assist you develop a professional business plan that takes into consideration the local factors affecting your business.

Apart from developing the business plan, we also have other agri-enterprise related consultancy services for individual business owners, startups, and established businesses.

Please contact me on email at [email protected] for further engagement.

Kevine Otieno,
Department of Dairy, Food Science and Technology, Egerton University.

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ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE

I hold a Bsc. in Agricultural Economics. I currently work in a dairy farm as the manager but lack health (disease and pest management skills) therefore was seeking to pursue a Diploma in Animal Health. Is it the right course for me?

Is there any post-graduate diploma or Masters programme I qualify to take me the same route?

Julius Kamau

The labour market requires both knowledge and practical proficiency for better outputs.

Agricultural economics offers some skills on farm management but to enhance them and understand livestock better, you qualify and can do any diploma course in Animal Science and Technology, Animal Health or Farm Resource Management, but that is if you want to stay in the field of management.

You can also do much more than staying in your current field of practice by seeking admission for a Masters course.

Provided your aggregate scores in Bachelor’s degree meet admission requirements, consider Msc. courses like Agricultural Extension, Livestock Production Systems, Agribusiness Management or Agricultural Economics.

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

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DORPER SHEEP BREEDER

Please share the contacts of a Dorper sheep breeder in Nakuru, Narok or Kericho. 

Walter 

Dorper sheep was developed from crossing Blackhead Persian and Dorset Horn.

The breed is suited for mutton production due to its faster growth rate, offering quality meat, adaptability and fertility.

These attributes have made this sheep to be used to improve the Red Maasai breed.

The breed is reared and sold by several private farms across the country.

Contact the Dorper Sheep Breeders Society of Kenya on 0718614765 or email [email protected].

You can also visit the Sheep and Goats Station Naivasha. In Narok, you can visit the State Department of Livestock Production for contacts with selected farmers who sell to other farmers.

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

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BANANA DISEASE

I farm bananas in Kisii County and I have observed some strange rusty and ashy appearance on the skin of the produce. What is the cause?

Mosota

This is caused by a pest called Banana Rust Thrip which has yellow shaded wings.

The damage done by thrips is by oviposition (laying eggs) on the young fruits.

The thrip causes smoky or red discolouration between individual fingers.

The skin becomes reddish brown, roughened and dull in appearance and superficial cracks appear on the discoloured skin.

The fruits may also split. You can control it by using only clean corms, dipping in Metasystox 0.1 per cent solution to control the spread of the disease or spraying the bunches after emergence with 0.2 per cent of Phosphomidan for effective control.

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