Layer farming in Eldoret: Increasing quality, taste and egg production
In the heart of Eldoret, Kenya, a pioneering farmer named Isaac has etched his name in the agricultural landscape with a story of resilience and success. Today, we delve into the inspiring narrative of Isaac's journey, a tale that took flight with the introduction of Koudijs Concentrates' KLC-20 a subsidiary of De Heus Animal Nutrition.
Isaac's foray into poultry farming commenced in 2015 when he embarked on the venture with 300 layers. At the time, he grappled with the challenges posed by a localized feed mixing formula that prominently featured Omena as the primary protein source. The quest for reliable and high-quality feeds remained a constant struggle. An intriguing incident occurred when one of his workers remarked, "nowadays we buy sand at a very expensive price," highlighting the prevalent issue of sand contamination in the Omena used for feed.
During this period, Isaac's path crossed with Mercy Kemboi, a member of the local feed distribution team. Mercy vividly recalls assisting Isaac in formulating feeds using Omena as a key ingredient, navigating the hurdles of inconsistent quality and sourcing difficulties.
In 2017, a turning point arrived for Isaac when he learned about the KLC-20 concentrate through a contact in Uganda. Intrigued and inspired, he embarked on extensive research before making his way to Uganda for in-depth training on incorporating concentrates into his farming practices.
The results were nothing short of remarkable. Transitioning from an initial egg laying percentage of 90% with the previous formula, Isaac witnessed a dramatic improvement in his yield. Managing a flock of 10,000 layers, Isaac now proudly collects between 171-173 trays of eggs per day.
Isaac's customers like the quality of my eggs, from the size, shape, taste, and egg yolk quality.
"Working with KLC-20 in my feeds is stress-free, since I get all the supplemental nutrients I require without worrying about sourcing different ingredients to achieve the goal."
