By MaryAnne Musilo and Lyzzie Owade

Brahma chickens remain Kenya’s most lucrative poultry, fetching between twice and ten times the revenue of indigenous Kienyeji birds, according to farmers. While a 20-bird Kienyeji flock might bring in about Sh32,000 a year from eggs and meat, even a modest Brahma flock can earn Sh240,000 a year, and intensive chick producers report revenues over Sh21m.

In Mombasa, poultry farmer Shaban Aziz abandoned local breeds after repeated disease losses. “I tried keeping the normal one, but they were dying from Newcastle, which I used to spend more on but never worked, In a month I saw more than 20 chickens die from the disease. I used to spend over Sh6,000 buying them and treating the disease and even using the traditional way of putting hot pepper to their drinking water, but it never cured the disease.”

“But I have an uncle who always drives the truck to South Africa and he bought four chickens and each Brahma cost Sh10,000. Since I brought the breed from South Africa, I have never treated them in any way. I only buy the broiler feed,” he said.

Now, he supplies more than 20 Brahma chicks a day to customers. “In a day I can supply more than 20 chicks to different customers. A two-week chick costs Sh3,500, 4 weeks Sh7,000. I sell them according to weeks and when they are fully grown they can weigh from 6–7 kg which cost Sh15,000. 

At his current volume, this generates around Sh21m a year, over 650 times the income of a similar-sized Kienyeji flock.

“When I was in Qatar I used to study animals so this is what helps me with my Brahma chicken now,” he said.

In Ikinu, Kiambu County, part-time Brahma farmer Michael Kirungu is also building a niche market. “They are ornamental, very beautiful and feathery. In brooding they are the best. They hatch around 15 eggs. And they are good mothers,” said Michael.

“For a week old chick, I sell at Sh500. This makes a good return since the demand is high.”. 

“I grew the interest after visiting another farm in Tala. They just caught my eye because they are beautiful.”

Michael keeps one cock and four hens. “One egg goes for Sh250. This is because they are rare in the market. I have five Brahma birds, one cock and four hens. With proper feeding, then the production goes high.” A grown hen sells for approximately Sh7,000 and a cock for Sh15,000, he said.

He acquired his initial birds in Tala at Sh1,000 each, a sum he calls “a good investment,” adding, “I’m also looking forward to extending the farm.”

Michael takes a more active approach to health care. “Just like any other bird, one should vaccinate Brahma chicken. A lot of care is also needed when they are brooding.” He encourages frequent vaccination against Newcastle, Gumboro, fowl pox, and fowl typhoid, particularly during the early weeks, to maintain bird health and reduce mortality.

With four laying hens producing about 150 eggs a year each, plus three clutches of chicks a year, Michael earns about Sh240,000 a year from his five-bird flock, which is seven times more than a 20-bird Kienyeji set-up.

Brahmas eat more than standard chickens at  about 170 g a day and require careful feeding stages from starter feed with 20% to 24% protein for chicks, to grower feed at 16% to 18% protein, then layer feed at around 16% protein, with supplements like oyster shell for calcium, mealworms, or greens to enhance growth and egg quality.

Although Brahmas are not prolific egg layers, each hen may produce roughly 150 eggs a year, giving the farmer KSh 37,000 or around 3–4 eggs per week. Their large size and market scarcity help sustain higher pricing, compared to Kienyeji chickens that sell for about Sh1,000 when mature and Sh15 to Sh20 per egg.

Both farmers say demand is strong. 

Contacts:

Shaban Aziz in Mombasa Tudor 0796247766

Michael Kirungui in Ikinu, Kiambu 0769214074

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