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This is a medium- sized
tree, often growing 10 to 20 m in height and 10 to 40 cm in diameter. It grows
in deep, free-draining soils of mildly acid reaction. It requires 1,500-3,500
mm of annual rainfall in preferably high altitude regions with very short dry
seasons mainly 1
to 3 months.
It has a protein concentrations range from 25-32 per cent.The higher tannin content of the foliage can increase bypass protein, which is important to livestock, because the protein is protected from degradation in the rumen, but available for absorption in the small intestine, which is metabolically efficient. The plant can provide fodder for up to 10 years. Cows, goats, sheep and rabbits require 5-8 kilos a day for tender meat and increased milk production of between 1 and three litres a day.
to 3 months.
It has a protein concentrations range from 25-32 per cent.The higher tannin content of the foliage can increase bypass protein, which is important to livestock, because the protein is protected from degradation in the rumen, but available for absorption in the small intestine, which is metabolically efficient. The plant can provide fodder for up to 10 years. Cows, goats, sheep and rabbits require 5-8 kilos a day for tender meat and increased milk production of between 1 and three litres a day.
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Also known as the
humming bird tree, Sesbania is a fast-growing tree, up to 3 to 5 metres. The
tree thrives in full sun and is extremely frost sensitive. It grows in a wide
range of soils from loose sands to
heavy clays and also tolerates saline soils and flooding. It is tolerant of cool highland-tropical or sub-tropical conditions, growing at up to 2,300 m altitude in Kenya.
heavy clays and also tolerates saline soils and flooding. It is tolerant of cool highland-tropical or sub-tropical conditions, growing at up to 2,300 m altitude in Kenya.
With appropriate
cutting, it persists for up to 5 years. It can be cut after the plant reaches
1-2 m in height. Delaying cutting until the plant is more than 4 m tall, or low
cutting to below 50 cm will result in plant deaths. More frequent cutting will
decrease the lifespan of the plants. Crude protein content ranges from 25-30
per cent.
Commercial value
It can be used on its own or mixed with commercial feeds. A cow requires approximately 4-6 kilos a day. Return Sh15,000-Sh20,000 a month in milk sales returns according to documented studies.
It can be used on its own or mixed with commercial feeds. A cow requires approximately 4-6 kilos a day. Return Sh15,000-Sh20,000 a month in milk sales returns according to documented studies.
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The Mulberry is a
deciduous tree that does well in Mediterranean climates with annual rainfalls
from 1500 to 2500 mm but can adapt in drier climates. It grows well on a wide
range of soils if well drained
and can tolerate some shading.
Aside from the fruit, the leaves are also highly nutritious and a valuable fodder for poultry and livestock, especially sick or high production animals such as dairy cows.
Commercial value: It conventionally costs some Sh8500 to establish a perennial pasture of Mulberry, but gives a return of Sh25,000 Sh30,000 per month from increased milk production. The tree takes 3-6 months to mature.
and can tolerate some shading.
Aside from the fruit, the leaves are also highly nutritious and a valuable fodder for poultry and livestock, especially sick or high production animals such as dairy cows.
Commercial value: It conventionally costs some Sh8500 to establish a perennial pasture of Mulberry, but gives a return of Sh25,000 Sh30,000 per month from increased milk production. The tree takes 3-6 months to mature.
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A medium sized
evergreen shrub that also helps with wind and water erosion control, land
rehabilitation and fuel wood. It does best in high rainfall areas (350-1,600 mm
a year) but can survive in areas with as low as 200 mm a year due to its deep
rooting habit, but cannot survive frost. It does well in light,
well-drained sandy soils on slopes and hillsides, but also on gravels, loams, and
limestones.
Trees can be pruned at the end of the first year to promote a
bushy,multi-stemmed habit. The plant should be maintained at a minimum one
metre. It responds well to frequent cutting, but re-growth is slow for
the first week after harvest. It can persist for up to 30 years if well managed and has been proven to meet 40-60 per cent of the nutritional requirements of animals especially of the protein responsible for increased milk production.
the first week after harvest. It can persist for up to 30 years if well managed and has been proven to meet 40-60 per cent of the nutritional requirements of animals especially of the protein responsible for increased milk production.
Commercial Value
One cow is fed 500 leaves of Tree Lucerne, which can be mixed with dairy meal or bran commercial feed or can be fed alone. A cattle consumes 6kilos in a day. It delivers an annual increase in milk production worth Sh15,000 to Sh20,000 per animal, according to research.
One cow is fed 500 leaves of Tree Lucerne, which can be mixed with dairy meal or bran commercial feed or can be fed alone. A cattle consumes 6kilos in a day. It delivers an annual increase in milk production worth Sh15,000 to Sh20,000 per animal, according to research.
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Poultry keeping is a delicate enterprise and
before engaging in production, it is important to have knowledge regarding
husbandry aspects such as hygiene practices, disease control, vaccination
program, feeding systems, housing detail and other related factors which work
together to realize a profitable venture.
Information in the following areas is handy to
guide on what is expected hence prepare for the challenges that may lie ahead.
Operational costs
A farmer needs to know the costs to be incurred
before venturing in this business.
The major costs include: -
- Housing
- Essential farm facilities,
- Cost of the foundation stock,
- Feeding costs,
- Vaccination costs
Animal production in either small or large scale
if not properly handled can lead to large losses due to the delicate nature of
the enterprise. The owner should personally get involved in management and
supervision or if the objectives are to be realized, the one who takes care
should have shared interest.
Life stages
Every animal has developmental stages with
specific requirements which a farmer should know and attend to accordingly and
separately.
Feeding Plans & Costs
Feeding costs are single major contributor the
costs of faming. Feeds should be purchased from a reputable company. The feed
should be of good quality with right proportions of the required nutrients
depending on the stage of your animal. And costs such as transport may be put
into consideration.
If a farmer cannot afford or if has the raw
materials, with good training, he can assemble ingredients in right proportions
and process them accordingly. Farmers can get trained on feed formulation in
livestock production centers in their respective districts. The aim is to
reduce the feed costs as much as it is practically possible and hence increase
the profits.
Housing
The housing should be done right depending on
the ecological conditions of where one is living to reflect the climate of the
place. If not correctly done poor housing may lead to failure and frustrations
due to high losses, frequent disease outbreak, below bar production level,
overcrowding and poor ventilation.
The house should have a right height depending
on the system adopted, right roofing, this means not construction of an
expensive house but whichever structure built should have enough space, be well
ventilated, capable on shielding birds from harsh weather conditions
Enterprise profitability
BUDGET 250 BIRDS LAYERS
Deep litter floor system
Density – 4 – 6 Birds/m2
ITEM UNIT QUANTITY UNIT PRICE(Kshs) TOTAL(Kshs)
Income
Sale of egg Eggs 65,520 10 655,200
Sales cull Birds 250 300 75,000
Saleof bags Bags 50 50 2,500
Sales of manure Tons 20 2000 40,000
Gross Income 772,700
Expenditure
Day old chicks No. 250 100 25,000
Chick/Duck mash 70 kg bag 7 3,200 22,400
Growers Mash 70kg bag 25 2,900 72,500
Layers Mash 70kg bag 18 3,000 54,000
Medication Birds 250 60 15,000
Kerosene Litres 36 100 3,240
Labour 18 months MD 300 200 60,000
Egg trays 6 30 180
Charcoal 6 850 5,100
Cost of construction 150,000
& equipments
Miscellaneous 30,000
Working capital 392,780
Interest on Working capital 58,917
Total cost 451,697
Gross Margin 321,003
Capital Recovery
Fixed Capital – Ksh. 150,000
Recovery Period – 10 years
Interest rate – 20%
Annual Capital Cost – Ksh150,000 x CRF
Ksh 150,000 x 0.2385
Ksh.35,775
Total Variable Cost Ksh.392,780+
58,917+35,775=Ksh.487, 472
Expected Net Income – Ksh.772,700– 487, 472 = Ksh 285,228
Break Even Price/egg = 7.44
Remarks
When family labour is used Net income will
Improve
12 months productivity period has been adopted
Eggs/bird to be 255 per year - Laying percentage to be 70%
Chick and Growers mortality rates to be 5%
Layers mortality to be 1%
Fowl pox vaccinate at 10-12 weeks once.
Fowl-typhoid – vaccinate at 6-8 weeks once
New Castle – vaccinate 1 week – 2-3 weeks, 8-10
weeks and every 2-3 months.
Infectious bronchitis – 1 week, 2-3 weeks
Gumboro – 1-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks
NCD + IB + 1BD (killed) – 18 – 20 week
Profitability will be realized After 2 years
holding other factors of production constant
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Part of the pea family,
Calliandra is a small, thornless shrub that grows up to 12m high from direct
sowing, seedlings or stem cuttings.
It is best grown alongside other crops and grows well in a wide range of soil types, from deep volcanic loams to more acidic sandy clays. It is well adapted to acid infertile soils, but will respond to fertiliser. It does not tolerate waterlogged conditions, or drought,and does not grow well on poorly drained soils.
It is best grown alongside other crops and grows well in a wide range of soil types, from deep volcanic loams to more acidic sandy clays. It is well adapted to acid infertile soils, but will respond to fertiliser. It does not tolerate waterlogged conditions, or drought,and does not grow well on poorly drained soils.
Grows well in Central
and Eastern Province, and is evergreen in humid climates, but semi-deciduous in
areas with a long dry season.
The first cut can be
8-12 months after sowing, and it can be cut back to half to one metre every 2
to 3 months. Direct grazing by cattle, sheep and goats will often kill the
plant, as will cutting below 30cm. But when cut and fed, the leaves and pods
are rich in protein and can contribute 25 per cent of livestock diet, compared
to between 8 and 10 per cent for elephant grass and nappier grass.
Calliandra can provide fodder
for up to 20 years.
Commercial Value
A farmer with 1 cow and 500 calliandra as a substitute for dairy meal will increase his net monthly income by between Sh15,000 and Sh30,000.
A farmer with 1 cow and 500 calliandra as a substitute for dairy meal will increase his net monthly income by between Sh15,000 and Sh30,000.
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A new breed of
easy-to-grow shrubs are giving livestock 40 to 60 percent better nutrition than
nappier grass, lifting the milk production of cows by up to 2 litres a day, and
saving large sums on commercial feeds. The best options in Kenya and East
Africa are:
1. Calliandra
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3. Mulberry
4. Sesbania
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