The Chandarema Model

If there is to be a competition for a model local poultry farmer in Kenya, then Chanderema Poultry Farm in Vihiga County will score a series of “A”s.

The Turkey “A”

The first “A” is earned in turkey farming. It is not common to find a farmer who has concentrated so much effort on breeding turkeys in Western Kenya. Those who have kept them have a population of between 5 and 10. However, on the Chanderema Farm, they have mature turkeys in two large holding shades, a large open pen full of turkeys, and some rooms with the birds in various levels of maturity.
The main reason turkey farming is not widespread in Kenya is that they are eaten mainly during celebrations. Except for hotel menus, families buy and eat turkeys during Easter and Christmas. Many people are used to slaughtering a goat or sheep on other occasions or for meat. While most people know how to slaughter and prepare goat, sheep, and chicken for cooking; few know how to prepare turkey. That is why Chanderema offers for sale turkeys in different states: as take away live; or if the client orders, they slaughter and prepare them ready to cook. This includes dressing the birds, says Mr. Alumada Mbato the Chanderema farm’s Development Manager.

He goes on to explain the advantage of turkey meat: turkey is just like chicken. Only its meat is sweeter than chickens. It tastes like chicken and goat meat. However, compared to goat meat, turkey meat has smaller and fewer bones in weight-by-weight proportions. When you subtract the head, feet, and skin when slaughtered, a small goat that costs Kshs 7,000 and provides 10-12 Kilograms of boneless meat; while a turkey which costs Kshs 3,500 will provide 7-9 Kilograms of boneless meat. So, you get more value for money and more meat on the table when you slaughter a turkey. At Chanderema Poultry Farm they rear four types of turkeys: the rare pure white-feathered, the black, the black/white, and the spotted. One can buy as many turkeys as they need, both for breeding, for hotel, and home consumption.

The Geese “A”

Many people consider Geese as decorative birds and keep them purely for aesthetical and ornamental value. While appreciating this, Mr. Alumada explains a misconception that it is the only purpose of keeping Geese. Geese have very sweet meat. In some communities, you are considered a special guest if they slaughter for you a Goose.
Chanderema Farm rears a large flock of Geese for sale to those who need them for breeding and for the table. Mr. Alumada also says that if you keep Geese, they kill and hound small pests out of your compound. “You won’t find rats, snakes, and small pests wandering in the compound or on the fence. They kill and devour them. Geese are also natural security guards against birds of prey that attack chickens. Those birds don’t come to homes where Geese are reared. On a more secure front, Geese, like dogs, can identify strangers and alert residents with loud agitation noise.

The Engoko “A”

Before they ventured into Poultry farming, the Chanderema Farm investors carried out thorough research. They identified a market demand which was not being satisfied. Mr Luvaga, the Sales and Marketing Director gave us the laydown of it.
In Western Kenya, among the Luhyia community, also known as Mulembe Nation; every time there is a function, Engoko (chicken) plays a vital role. Engoko is used during traditional cultural functions and for food on the table. This is during weddings, funerals, prayers, family unions, and annual religious functions. He estimates that during one function, 60-100 birds are required both for slaughtering and carry-away live birds by family visitors during cultural events. The family or committee hosting the event have a hard time collecting such a large number of chicken. They have to go around homes and markets and even travel as far as Kapsabet in Uasin Gishu County to buy them. It is not only time-consuming and expensive; but there is a disadvantage that some of the chickens they buy are sick and spread diseases into many homes either from handling them, through contact with clothes, and their waste after slaughter.

“In fact, when the host opens the store or bathroom where they have kept the chicken overnight, sometimes they find half of them are already dead!” explains Jack.
Hence the investors (who are now the directors of Chanderema Farm) started poultry farming to meet this demand for chicken. A client can now order or buy any number of chickens they want from one place: the Chanderema Farm. “We have customized solutions for chicken supply at balance one price across board. Whatever number and type of chicken one needs: Idaywa, Inyavuli, Isu, Likukuvale. Chicken from this farm are reliable, credible, and vaccinated both for breeding and consumption.

They have flocks in different levels of maturity: “this is carefully controlled breeding; so that at no time in the year will the customer miss the chicken they need. By the time one lot matures and is being sold, the next flock is ready to replace it.”
When we visited, a client Madam Violet Anzigale came to purchase some chicken for breeding. She said she has learned a lot from the farm and that poultry farming can create a lot of employment in Vihiga County.

The other method of doing it right is they have built proper chicken housing with inlaid floor plastic mesh for filtering out chicken droppings so that the room is ever clean. Plastic mesh does not scratch and damage the chicken feet and toes. The rooms are labeled according to their utilization with KIRITU ROOM being the Showroom/Sales point for mature birds.

Inside each room, there is water piping fixed around walls with numerous drinking nipples. Outside in the compound are several huge water tanks spread around the compound.

“Water, water” explains Alumada, “some farmers forget that animals and fowls need access to good clean water all the time; or they underestimate it. We have made sure we store enough water for all seasons. This is one item we monitor constantly and consistently.”

On the farm is also a water pond and sandpit for the birds the Turkeys and Geese.
We also saw their store full of fowl feed to the brim. “Yes, we are ever prepared and well-stocked. The fresh and green feed is grown around the farm.”
Western Kenya is a big, big market, for chicken. It is one place where Engoko is the favourite food for all occasions. We can’t satisfy this market from this farm alone. We want other residents of Vihiga to learn from us and invest in the same. But, they must do it right.” Luvaga says.

The Clean “A”

On our walkabout, we were using paved paths as clean and maintained as in any major hotel. With water everywhere, green lawns, and Solar floodlights dotting the compound this can easily be called the Hotel for Fowls.

There is an office where the farm management strategic plan is outlined and records for each function are meticulously kept. Alumada informs us that they are available to provide group training for poultry, livestock, and agriculture. They have the tools, including projectors. Mr. Luvaga has been providing resource training to several groups up to Busia County.

The Gold Fishpond “A”

The Hope Pond as it is aptly named on the farm is a heart-shaped fish pond. It is surrounded by several benches installed inside as a meeting area. The beauty about it is the serene atmosphere it breathes that settles the heart and mind. The pond is designed as a spot for personal meditation. The pool’s water reticulation system is run by a solar pump. When switched on, it creates a wonderful waterfall and spray pattern over the pool.  Mr. Alumada tells us the pond is full of fish, around 300 mature Tilapia awaiting harvesting and ornamental Gold Fish which they sell.

The Ostrich “A”

It is strange how chasing after one rabbit can make you catch an entirely different animal. We heard about the Farm at Kiritu with Ostriches from Professor Mary Misia Kadenyi who had taken her family on a tour there. When she told us about the Ostriches in Vihiga, we were very intrigued and set out to bring you the report on mulembeonline.com. We are ever ahead of news from Western Kenya for you. Imagine our total surprise when we stumbled upon this thriving poultry farm with modern farm management techniques right in the heart of Vihiga County! We even spotted Kanga (Guinea Fowl) being bred on the farm.
The farm is run by three directors: Mr. Luvaga – Sales and Marketing, Madam Midika – Environmental and Mr Alumada – Business Development. Their motto is “CPA …Forever!”