Get the tips, from fish farming to rearing indigenous chicken

HATCHING, REARING INDIGENOUS CHICKEN
I want to start hatching and rearing kienyeji chicks. I need some training on incubators, handling and rearing of young chicks, feeding and the ratios, changing of feeds, vaccination, and favourable structures.

Felix Bett

Artificial incubators regulate the temperature and humidity automatically once these have been set accordingly; day 1 to day 18 the temperature is set at 37.80c and humidity at 60-65%, then 3 days prior to hatching adjust the temperature to 37.50c and humidity to 70-75 per cent.

Upon hatching, transfer the chicks to deep litter brooder (use wood shavings as litter material and cardboard to make a circular brooder) and provide supplemental heat using either infra-red bulbs or stove hover for four weeks.

During the first week, provide the chicks formula (to boost immunity), glucose (for energy) and liquid paraffin (to clear their digestive system). Feed chick mash for eight weeks at the rate of 35-75g/chick/day increasing the amount gradually. Vaccinate the birds against New Castle and Gumburo on the 7th day and 21st day, respectively.

Sophie Miyumo, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

HOW DO I ADD VALUE TO MILK

I am an avid reader of Seeds of Gold and I am interested in value addition of milk. How do I get the knowledge and equipment for making ghee and butter?

Joshua Kathawe (Meru County)

Value addition to milk offers the best alternative to increase your profits. Value added milk products include yoghurt, ghee, cheese, butter and milk powder. To process these products right, you need hands on training.

One such short training course is Value Added Dairy Processing that will be held at Egerton University from August 2-7; call +254512217684/5 for more information. Dairy equipment can be sourced from De Laval.

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

Where can I buy the Rhode Island Chicken breed, especially the red breed? Thanks.

Jack Luke +254 721356198

At the moment, the Rhodes Island Red breed is mainly used as a parent stock by poultry breeder farms around. That is why it is not common among poultry farmers.

To be helped acquire some, kindly get in touch with InCIP of Egerton University on E-mail: [email protected] or call +254 51 2217684/5.
Felix AkatchOpinya, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

Bockline Omedo BebeAssociate Professor of Livestock ProductionAnimal Sciences, Egerton UniversityBox 536-20115 Egerton Kenya+254 51 2217891/2

Animal Science

Not too long ago, you carried an article on how gas can be used to provide warmth to chicks after they hatch. Please advise me more.
Thank you,

Judy

The gas heaters use the gas cylinder with a burner similar to gas lamps. This should be suspended one metre above the ground. Observe chick behaviour to allow you to adjust the burner.

Sophie Miyumo, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

I have been contracted by an export company to grow hot chillies for them on two acres. Kindly advise me on the A-Z of growing chillies. What is your view on Demon F1 variety?

James.

The optimum altitude is from sea level to 1,500m and optimum rainfall 600 mm to 1200 mm per year. Note that excess rain can defoliate the crop and cause rotting and extreme water deficits can stunt growth and cause flower abortion.

Other requirements include: The site should not be inter-cropped with any Solanum related crops example: potatoes, tomatoes e.t.c., site close to water source is an advantage but not a requirement and on slopes follow the contour rule.

The chilli requires few if any inputs and its hardiness makes it very suitable for production in marginal areas. It has good tolerance to common field diseases.

Characteristics of the Demon F1 variety are: High pungency fruits, Plants are tall with a concentrated upright bearing fruit set, Excellent and uniform fruit quality, Maturity: 70-75 days from transplanting, Fruit length: 7-9 cm, Diameter: 0.9 cm, Yield Potential: 6-7 tonnes per acre, Harvest period: 2-3 months and that Fruits mature from medium green colour to bright red.

Muriuki Ruth Wangari, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

I wish to venture into planting herbs that are used in cooking. Where do I buy the seeds from?

Thank you

Kareithi Kamau  [email protected]
There are a variety of herbs that you can grow which include fresh herbs and medicinal herbs. Their production will depend on the location, climatic conditions in your area and your target market.

You can obtain Corriender (Dhania), Parsley and Celery from Simlaw Seeds.

Muriuki Ruth Wangari, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University
BANANA VALUE ADDITION

My name is Caroline Karani from Meru. Kindly give me the contacts of Paul Ruga from Nyeri who uses solar drier to dry bananas. He was featured with his wife Lucy in the Seeds of Gold on June 20.

Caroline
EDITOR: Reach Ruga on 0722683058

RHODES GRASS
I am a regular reader of Seeds of Seeds of Gold. I am Ugandan and I need the contact of Chemirmir Noah who grows Rhodes grass.
Stephen.

EDITOR: Noah is available on 0710289933

BEST PRACTICES IN CHICKEN FARMING

I am a chicken farmer in Nairobi. I would like to contact Immaculate Ochieng’, the lady you highlighted in the Seeds of Gold on August 1.
Catherine

EDITOR: Reach Immaculate is available on 0707117504

FARMING FISH IN RAISED PONDS

Please link me with James Mwaniki who is rearing fish in raised ponds in Runyenjes. He was featured in last week’s edition of the Seeds of Gold.
EDITOR: Mwaniki is available on 0722835442

GROWING SWEET POTATOES

I am interested in sweet potato farming. Please link me to Karungo wa Thangwa,  the  Kiambu  MCA  who  farms  the  tubers.
Stephen Muchiri 
EDITOR: Reach Thangwa on 0700526141

MIXED FARMING

I need the contact of farmers engaging in mixed farming, that is fish, rabbits and chickens in western Kenya. I’m in Kakamega.
Tonny Bolo

EDITOR: Kindly contact William Simiyu on 0704827806, Nerbert Jumba who keeps chickens in Mumias on 0723460105 and fish farmer Zinath Deen on 0702781394.

PLEASE VISIT MY FARM

I have been keenly following the Seeds of Gold pull-out and I must say I love it. I am undertaking intensive strawberry farming on plasticulture in Naivasha, Karati. Please visit my farm because I need to share the challenges and successes of this kind of farming. Davis Munene
EDITOR: Thank you for your support, we will get back to you.

DAIRY GOAT FARMING

In your June 27, edition, there were stories of Tom Okeyo and Caleb Olang’o, dairy goat farmers. Please give me their contacts.
Samuel Kirira

EDITOR: Reach Okeyo on 0727385604.

A LIFETIME MANGo HARVEST

Please I need the contacts of mango farmer Margaret Nyaguthie and Edward Kungu, the horticultural quality control consultant.
Mkanjumwa Juma

EDITOR: Please talk to Margaret on 0721311763.

MUSHROOM GROWING

Please pass me the contacts of Joseph Hinga, the mushroom farmer.
Mary

EDITOR: Joseph Hinga is available on 0787128791.

HAY EXPERT

Please send me the phone number of Alvan Kinywa.
Stephen Muoki

EDITOR: Contact Alvan through [email protected]

URBAN FARMERS

I need the contacts of the lady in Donholm practising rooftop farming. She was featured on June 27.
Ngare John

EDITOR: Talk to Sarah Itambo on 0724625568

GROWING VEGETABLES

I am a student and a farmer. I frequently read Seeds of Gold. I liked the story of the farmer who plants vegetables in bags in Thika. How do I get those bags?

Festus Musesa

EDITOR: Please talk to the farmer on 0727304568.

BODA BODA POULTRY FARMER

I was impressed by the story on Gerald Bwire. Could you please share his contacts? I am interested in buying turkeys from him.

Japheth Odera

EDITOR: Please talk to Bwire on 0729011522.

YOUTH GROUP

Kindly let me have the contact of Kamulu group. I like what they are doing with themselves.
Dorcas Mbalanya

EDITOR: The group’s chairman, Lusichi, is available on 0708003984.

MUSHROOM FARMING

I am interested in mushroom farming and I kindly request you to help me with any contacts of farmers doing it. I would prefer farmers within Nairobi and its surroundings.
Irene EDITOR: You can talk to farmer Joseph Hinga on 0787128791 or 0706264450.

TV SERIES

What time does Seeds of Gold air on NTV? l have tried to check and haven’t come across it. l don’t want to be left behind.
Lydia

EDITOR: The programme airs on Wednesday at 10pm and a repeat is on Saturday at 6pm.

GROWING HERBS
Please do assist me with the contacts of the Mombasa MCA Serah Nyamvula who grows herbs in Bomani. I am a crops agricultural researcher with an interest on herbs and spices.
Paul Kiuru
EDITOR: The farmer is available on 0723718950.

MODEL FISH FARM

I kindly need the contacts of Rose Brockmoeller featured last week. I liked what she is doing and would like to get some advice from her.
Lydia

I wish to construct a fish farm and was very impressed with what Rose Brockmoeller has achieved. I would wish to contact her to learn more. Kindly share her contacts. David Owiyo

EDITOR: Talk to the manager at the farm, Elvis Odhiambo, on 0722602042 or Rose on 0704913849.

BANANA VALUE ADDITION

Kindly give me the contacts of Paul Ruga from Nyeri County who is using solar drier to dry bananas. He was featured with his wife Lucy in the Seeds of Gold on June 20.
Caroline Karani