Diary of a poultry farmer: Hope as incubator revived years later

James Kariuki Ndung’u, feeds some of his chicken in his farm in Gilgil. In a poultry agribusiness, to gain customers for life, one needs to treat them in the same way one would wish to be treated. PHOTO | CHRIS ADUNGO | NMG

What you need to know:

  • Readers recall the glitches I had with my 528-egg capacity made-in-China incubator, bought at Sh64,000.
  • After assuring me that everything was fine, I took another leap of faith and incubated 180 eggs, only to get 18 chicks.
  • I’d assumed he would ask me to buy a new one or replace some parts like the sensor which costs about Sh10,000.
  • I’ve learnt that if I want to gain customers for life, I need to treat them in the same way I’d wish to be treated.

“Look,” Joseph said. “Everything is okay with your machine.”

I looked at him surprised. This was barely five minutes after he’d connected it to power.

Readers recall the glitches I had with my 528-egg capacity made-in-China incubator, bought at Sh64,000.

At the time, I’d incubated 180 eggs but instead of hatching 160 (I’d consistently been getting more than 80 per cent hatch rate for five months), they were all cooked.

The supplier sent a technician to repair the machine and when I incubated 180 eggs, I only got 50 chicks. For the next batch, I got 30.

He came the second time and replaced two limit switches. Automatic incubators have a set temperature at 37.8°C and a humidity of 60 during the first 18 days — three days to hatching.

I then adjust the temperature and humidity to 37.5°C and 70 from day 19 to 21.

After assuring me that everything was fine, I took another leap of faith and incubated 180 eggs, only to get 18 chicks.

Since the incubator had a one-year warranty, I demanded a full refund to which the supplier countered: “Your machine is beyond repair. All the parts are compromised. This is as a result of overheating since you left the incubator without water. Source for another to save costs!”

I was perplexed when barely a week ago — two years since the machine went ‘kaput’ — Joseph assessed it and assured me it was working perfectly.

DAY OLD CHICKS

I’d assumed he would ask me to buy a new one or replace some parts like the sensor which costs about Sh10,000.
He, instead, advised me to clean it with water and bleach.

He also set the temperature and humidity. He also told me to ensure the machine is at least 30cm from the wall.

He removed two rubber stoppers at the bottom of the machine. “These prevent free circulation of air inside,” he said.
I incubated the first batch of eggs three days ago and paid him Sh2,000 for the work.

I later called Ochieng’, an animal specialist, to seek his advice on vaccinating day-old chicks. These chicks should be vaccinated against Marek’s disease, infectious bronchitis and Newcastle.

He said the last two vaccines are given in form of a spray while the first is an injection.

I can only wait and hope that I meet the expectations of Irene, a customer from Kirinyaga who’d already placed an order for chicks and paid the deposit.

I’ve learnt that if I want to gain customers for life, I need to treat them in the same way I’d wish to be treated. Customers don’t care that you’re just getting started.

I read that, “A customer who trusts you isn’t one customer; he or she is a potential source of recommendations.”
I also know that shopping for incubators can be confusing. I voiced this concern to Joseph.

This afternoon, he’s coming to double-check on the machine.

Next week, I will discuss what I have learnt on hatching dos and don’ts.