Kenyan poultry farmers are moving rapidly to adopt improved Kienyeji breeds that more than double egg production and mature at twice the speed of local chicken.

Traditional local chickens, commonly characterized by mixed feather colours, small body size, and a maturity period of around nine months produce between 24 to 95 eggs a year, with only about 80% hatchability according to KalroGaps.info. Feeding is typically free-range scavenging, kitchen leftovers and occasional grains. But their disease resistance is weak. “I have reared these birds for some time since last year, but every year, I lose over 10% of my flock to disease. Informal rearing without vaccination leads to losses year in and year out,” said Callence Dhahabu Karisa, who keeps about 30 local chickens.

This sees each local chicken yielding roughly Sh240 to Sh380 a year in egg sales, meaning even a flock of 100 hens earns only about Sh24,000 to Sh38,000 a year.

By contrast, improved Kienyeji produce over 200 eggs a year, with some maturing in as few as three months.

They require proper housing, vaccination and controlled feeding to thrive, but are easier to raise than other commercial chicken.

“Improved Kienyeji birds are easier to raise compared to commercial broilers, and they generate more income,” said Evans Okongo, CEO of Chicken World in Juja.

“The common improved Kienyeji breeds we have include Kenbro, KARI Kienyeji, Rainbow Roosters, and Sasso. There’s fast-growing preference for improved Kienyeji chickens: the meat is neither too hard nor too soft, and it achieves organic standards at a certain age. We incorporate kitchen waste into feeding and maintain high hygiene standards.”

As producers compete to deliver different Kienyeji strengths, FarmBizAfrica has calculated the typical budget to enter Kienyeji farming, the early returns, and has reviewed each of the four leading birds for their their performance for meat, eggs, and in different farm environments.

Typical costs of rearing Kienyeji chicken

Typical returns per bird

• At 1 month, a chick is valued at about Sh300.
  
• Egg Production: 240 eggs/year x Sh20/egg = Sh4,800 per bird per year.
  
• Meat Production: At 3–4 months, birds weigh 2–3.5 kgs and sell for Sh1,200–Sh1,800 each.
  

The advantages of each bird 

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1. Sasso F1 (SASSO T451)

Distributed by Uzima Chicken Ltd, the Sasso F1 is a brownish, robust bird delivering:

• 2 – 2.5 kg weight in just 3 months
• Egg production starts at 5 months, yielding up to 240 eggs annually (four times more than local breeds)
• High disease resistance and low mortality rates.

Market advantage: The leader for speed of growth. At 3 months, Sassos fetch between Sh1,200 to Sh1,800 each in the meat market.

2. Kenbro

Developed by Kenchick Kenya, Kenbros are:

• Medium-sized (1.5–2.5 kg for females; 2.5–3.5 kg for males).
• Start laying eggs at 6 months
• Thrive in free-range systems and need minimal feed supplementation
• Disease resistant and tolerant of harsh conditions 

Market advantage: Their dual purpose (meat and eggs) makes them a top choice for small and medium-scale farmers.

3. KARI Improved Kienyeji

Produced by the Kenya Agricultural Research Organization (KALRO), KARI improved chickens:

• Mature at 4.5 months
• Produce up to 280 eggs annually — more than any other improved Kienyeji breed
• Retain the indigenous look while offering superior productivity.
• Disease resistant 
• Marginally cheaper than competitor chicks at Sh110 per 1-day old chick.

Market advantage: The leader for egg production.

4. Rainbow Roosters

Distributed by Kukuchic Limited, Rainbow Roosters are:

• Multicolored and adaptable to harsh conditions.
• Reach 2.5 – 3.5 kg in 6 months.
• Start laying 20–25 eggs a month at 5 months of age
• Chicks cost Sh100 at 1-day.

Market advantage: A cheaper entry point to Kienyeji, well suited to harsh conditions.