Chicken farming in Kenya is booming and perfect for women and young entrepreneurs seeking income and independence. It can start from home with just a few birds, making it a viable agribusiness even for those in rural or peri-urban areas. With demand for eggs and poultry meat surging, small-scale farmers are seeing fast returns with little space. In many Kenyan households, women and youth already tend chickens: women own the majority of backyard flocks and young people are eager to turn this into profit. For example, Everlyne Mwende from Kibwezi started with just 50 broilers, sold them at KSh 500 each (KSh 25,000 total), and quickly reinvested in 100 more and began selling eggs. Her success and others like her show how this “side hustle” can empower caregivers and Gen Z agri-preneurs to earn money, work flexibly from home, and make a community impact.
Benefits of Poultry Farming for Youth & Women
- Low startup and small space: A basic chicken coop and a few dozen chicks (50–100 birds) can often fit in a backyard. You can start with as little as KSh 50,000–100,000 depending on the scale. Feed and equipment are the main costs, but they quickly pay off with regular egg and meat sales.
- Flexible, home-based business: Women caregivers can combine poultry chores with other duties. Chickens don’t need constant work like large livestock. With care, a single broiler batch (in 32 –35 days) can yield profit; one guide shows 100 broilers giving ~58% margin (~KSh 14,750) in just one cycle.
- High demand and nutrition: Eggs and chicken meat sell easily in Kenyan markets. Urban demand is growing. Consumers appreciate local (“free-range” or Kienyeji) eggs and chicken, so small farmers can often sell direct to neighbors or local shops.
- Empowerment and impact: Poultry farming can lift families out of poverty. Since women predominantly manage household chickens, this income source directly supports homes.
Types of Chickens: Layers, Broilers, or Kienyeji
- Layers (Eggs): Breeds like Lohmann, Hy-line, or local improved layers focus on egg production. They start laying at ~18–20 weeks and give an egg almost daily. Layers require steady feed and good lighting.
- Broilers (Meat): Broiler breeds (e.g. Cobb, Ross) grow to market weight (~2–3 kg) in 32 – 35 days. They need high-protein feed and heated brooding for chicks.
- Kienyeji (Indigenous): These traditional chickens are dual-purpose (eggs and meat) and very hardy. They scavenge some feed and resist local diseases, making them easy for backyard or free-range setups.
Step-by-Step Starter Kit Guide
1. Housing and Setup
- Provide a secure, ventilated coop or pen.
- Allocate at least 0.1–0.2 m² per bird.
- Use wire mesh fencing, locked doors, and good ventilation.
- A basic coop for 50 birds may cost under KSh 20,000.
2. Feeding & Nutrition
- Use commercial mash suited to each stage: starter, grower, and finisher/layer.
- Always provide clean water.
- A 50-bird flock may consume feed worth ~KSh 12,000 per cycle.
3. Vaccination & Health
- Key vaccines: Marek’s, Newcastle, Gumboro, Fowl Pox.
- Common diseases: Newcastle, Gumboro, Fowl Typhoid, coccidiosis and infectious coryza
- Practice strict biosecurity: disinfect tools, quarantine new birds.
4. Equipment Needed
- Feeders, drinkers, brooders, nest boxes, cleaning tools.
- Medilink Vet Suppliers Kenya offers high-quality poultry equipment.
5. Daily/Weekly Care
- Feed twice daily, collect eggs, check health.
- Weekly cleaning, bedding change, equipment disinfection.
- Keep records of production and health.
Startup Capital & Expected Profit
Expected Revenue:
- 100 broilers sold at KSh 400 = KSh 40,000
- Profit after costs = ~KSh 10,000–15,000 per cycle
- Layers can yield 25,000–30,000/month from egg sales (100 hens)
Financing, Training & Support
- Uwezo Fund: For registered youth and women groups. Offers KSh 50,000–500,000 loans.
- Hustler Fund: Digital microloan targeting small businesses.
- SACCOs & NGOs: Many offer training, subsidized chicks/feed, or tools.
- Mentorship: Look for agricultural bootcamps (e.g., ENABLE-TAAT), extension officers, or successful farmers in your area.
Marketing Your Eggs and Chicken
- Use WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook to sell directly.
- Brand your eggs (e.g., “Free-Range Kienyeji Eggs”).
- Post content like coop hygiene, healthy hens, or delivery schedules.
Real Success Stories
- Everlyne Mwende from Kibwezi: Started with 50 broilers, sold at KSh 500 each, reinvested and scaled to 100 birds.
- Belinda Kinya (23, Meru): Used grant to scale to 100 birds and improved poultry health.
- Victorine Owino: Leads a SACCO that connects farmers to finance and training in Siaya County.
Ready to Start? (Call to Action)
Chicken farming in Kenya is affordable and within reach. For quality equipment and advice, contact Medilink Vet Suppliers Kenya. Visit our Nairobi branch or website to get started with your poultry kit, vaccines, and guidance.
References & Sources:
- Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO)
- Heifer International: Hatching Hope Project, Kenya
- ENABLE-TAAT Youth Agripreneurs Program (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture – IITA)
- Uwezo Fund official site (uwezo.go.ke)
- Hustler Fund platform (Ministry of Cooperatives & MSME Development)
- FAO Kenya Poultry Reports
- Poultry Kenya Facebook Groups and Forums
- Example farmer stories from Nation Media and The Standard
- Medilink Vet Suppliers Kenya (medilink.co.ke) for equipment pricing and products
- Practical poultry feed formulations and disease schedules from local agrovet extension officers
- Egg production case study, Victorine Owino interview on Siaya Seed SACCO (2019)
- Broiler profitability data from poultrykenya.org and real-farmer interviews
For inquiries or to request your custom poultry kit, visit www.medilink.co.ke or call us today!