Urban Poultry Farming in Kenya Faces Welfare Challenges

At the bustling poultry farm of Milka Nyamache, nestled on the outskirts of Keroka town in Nyamira County, the sounds of daily life mixed with the clucks of chicken and the soft thud of eggs being carefully placed into trays.

Workers, wearing aprons dusted with feed, move swiftly. One by one, they lift the freshly laid eggs from the cages, carefully inspecting each for cracks. Gently counting and placing them in trays row by row is a testament to the efficiency of Nyamache’s operation.

A well-known figure in the local farming community, Nyamache has embraced the battery cage system, a method where chickens are housed in uniform rows and columns of cages. For her, this system has been a game-changer, making poultry management not just easier but also more productive.

Battery cage system

“I developed my love for poultry rearing when I was young. My parents practiced poultry farming, and that’s where I derived my passion. Poultry is easier to manage compared to other livestock, especially with these cages,” Nyamache explains.

In recent years, poultry farmers in urban areas of Kenya and across the East Africa region have started adopting deep litter and battery cage systems due to limited land availability and the high demand for eggs and meat. This shift has led to increased productivity among farmers. Nyamache, for instance, chose the battery cage system due to the scarcity of space at her compound.

“Here in Kisii, we have small plots with limited space. If I allow my chickens to roam freely, they might wander into neighbors’ compounds and cause trouble, which could lead to disagreements.”

“That’s why I decided to modernize my approach. By enclosing them in cages, I save space, it’s easier to identify sick chickens, and collecting eggs becomes much simpler,” Nyamache adds.

Proper ventilation and fresh air are essential for birds in cages, and Nyamache ensures her chickens have access to both, along with a space to play.

“I always give my chicken time to play. There’s a section where they can all play in turns throughout the day before returning to their cages. The cages have good ventilation, are spacious enough for fresh air circulation, and allow plenty of natural light, which is crucial. Layers need 14 hours of light for optimal egg production,” she explains.

Understanding the importance of social media, Nyamache efficiently uses platforms like Facebook and TikTok to sell her poultry products, extending her reach beyond local markets.

Milkah Nyamache collecting eggs from her battery cage system

“I have a total of 2,000 chickens, and in a day, I collect 60 trays of eggs. My markets are in Kericho, Kaplong, Oyugis, and as far as Ahero. We advertise our eggs and chickens on social media, and most of my customers come from TikTok. I deliver anywhere in the country for orders of 50 trays or more,” she says.

As the sun sets over the rolling hills of Nyamira, a different narrative unfolds in Kabiria, a suburb in Dagoretti South Constituency, Nairobi County. Here, we meet Mary Nduta, who is busy checking on her 2,500 layers. Mary uses both deep litter systems for rearing her poultry.

Deep litter systems

According to Nduta, eggs produced in deep litter systems are in high demand, particularly in supermarkets, providing her with a quick market. Like Nyamache, Mary’s passion for poultry farming started when she was young, inspired by her parents, who were also poultry farmers.

“I was inspired by my parents; they were great poultry farmers. They even used the earnings to pay my school fees at some point. That’s why I decided to venture into poultry farming—it’s easy to manage. I have about 1,500 mature chickens now. I started with 2,400 chicks but sold some to small-scale farmers,” Nduta shares.

“The advantage of urban farming is having a ready market; there aren’t many poultry farmers, but there’s a large demand for chicken and eggs,” she adds.

Challenges like limited land, human-animal conflict, and high disease rates have pushed many poultry farmers in urban Kenya to adopt various rearing systems for layers and broilers. Nduta notes that her approach has not only reduced theft on her farm but also attracted more customers seeking the nutritional value her chickens offer.

“You must have a footpath when entering the farm to limit access to the chicken houses. Poultry is prone to illness, so I’m extra careful. We give them vitamins to boost their immunity, ensure they are well-fed, and provide clean water and adequate space for growth. We don’t overcrowd them; we create spaces where they can sleep comfortably,” Nduta explains.

Echoing Nyamache’s sentiments on fresh air and lighting, Nduta emphasizes their importance. “We also have curtains that we close when it’s too cold to prevent the chickens from catching a chill, and we open them to allow air circulation.”

Additionally, Nduta advocates for using technology, explaining that it has helped her sell her eggs and chickens as far as Machakos through social media platforms.

However, animal welfare organizations and lobby groups have raised concerns about these systems, arguing that they restrict birds’ freedoms, such as the freedom from distress and the freedom to express natural behavior. These systems also lack nesting opportunities, leading to severe frustration for many birds when laying eggs. Dr. Ellyne Njeri, Program Manager at the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), shares these concerns.

“In recent months, we’ve partnered with the Kenya Bureau of Standards to sensitize stakeholders in the poultry value chain, discussing the gaps we’ve identified in poultry welfare to improve the conditions for these birds,” Njeri says.

Research indicates that there are no clear legislative frameworks governing poultry production in Kenya, giving farmers considerable freedom to use caging systems. ANAW has been using guidelines formulated by the Kenya Bureau of Standards to assess and improve poultry welfare on farms.

“We’ve conducted several assessments with farmers, examining their poultry production chains, including how they transport their products, how they slaughter animals, and how they consider welfare in these different sectors,” Njeri explains.

As an organization, ANAW is committed to educating farmers on poultry welfare and their responsibilities. “Through our interactions with farmers, we advise them on better disease control, good biosecurity practices, proper spacing, humane handling of animals, and minimizing stress levels. This ensures both good welfare and productivity on their farms.”

“Together with our partners, we’ve held several training sessions focusing on poultry welfare for farmers in different counties. Since it’s a pilot project, we’ll be conducting further training with the farmers we’ve already engaged to address the gaps we’ve identified,” Njeri adds.

According to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 50 million birds are slaughtered in Kenya each year, with 27 million of these birds being slaughtered outside licensed facilities. This raises additional concerns about animal welfare and food safety.