Commercial Poultry Farming in Kenya

Ascites Prevention in Highlands: Regions such as Eldoret, Nakuru, and Limuru (elevations >2000m) face cold ambient temperatures (dropping to 10°C at night) and lower oxygen partial pressures.

• Ascites Prevention in Highlands: Cold stress increases metabolic demand, forcing the heart to pump more blood to supply oxygen. In high altitudes, the thin oxygen levels trigger pulmonary hypertension, leading to right ventricular failure and accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (Ascites or water belly).

• Brooder Heating: Sizing heater capacity: require a brooding temperature of 32–33°C on Day 1. Use gas or charcoal heaters with proper chimneys. Avoid airtight tarpaulin curtains that trap carbon monoxide and ammonia, which damage respiratory ciliated epithelium.

Local Protein Resources: While corn is the energy base, protein requirements are balanced with domestic cakes and meals:

• Omena Fishmeal: A local dried fish (*Rastrineobola argentea*) from Lake Victoria, rich in lysine (88% digestibility) and fat. Inclusion is highly valuable but must be capped at 3% to 5% in diets. High levels cause "fishy" egg and carcass taint, and run the risk of causing gizzard erosion (black vomit disease) due to gizzerosine toxins from decomposed fish.

• Sunflower Seed Cake: A high-fiber byproduct of oil extraction, used up to 10-12% as a partial soybean meal substitute.

KALRO Improved Kienyeji vs. Commercial Broilers:

• Kienyeji Strains: Native breeds improved by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) grow slower but are highly disease-resistant. They are raised in semi-intensive systems, achieving harvest weights in 12-14 weeks, and command double the market price of broilers.

• Pullet Vaccination: Pullets require immunization against Fowl Typhoid (*Salmonella gallinarum*) at 9 and 12 weeks, Newcastle Disease, and Gumboro.