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Bidco introduces feeds for kienyeji chicken

indigeneous

Kienyeji (indigenous) chicken. A new feed introduced by Bidco Land O'Lakes is expected to substantially reduce the maturity period for indigenous breeds as well as increase production. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Bidco Land O'Lakes, the joint venture business between Bidco Africa and US company Land O'Lakes, has launched a four-phase feed for indigenous chicken.

The feed is expected to substantially reduce the maturity period for kienyeji chicken as well as increase production.

The feeds include Kienyeji Chick Mash, Kienyeji Growers Mash, Kienyeji Finisher Mash, and Kienyeji Layers Mash, each aimed at different stages of indigenous chicken development.

Speaking in Machakos Town during the launch, Bidco Land O’Lakes CEO Herman Githinji expressed confidence that the product will fill a crucial gap in rearing of indigenous chicken in Kenya.

“The Bidco Kienyeji Feed is here to ensure that the farmer is purchasing the right feed that is aimed at a specific life stage of a bird for all his indigenous breeds,” he said.

Locally sourced

Bidco says the feed, whose ingredients are locally sourced, is natural in order to make the indigenous chicken maintain its taste, egg or meat colour and texture.

It is expected to specifically cater for indigenous chicken, which makes up for a big proportion of chicken consumed locally.

“The most recent poultry census in Kenya placed the number of chicken at 45 million. Out of this 34 million or 75 percent are indigenous chicken,” Mr Githinji said.

“However, so much emphasis, interest and value has been placed on the exotic breeds with little attention to the indigenous breeds," he added.

Commercial farming

Indigenous chicken farming has now shifted to become more commercial rather than just a hobby as it was in many households.

Mr Githinji added that this gap informed their decision to invest heavily on research and develop Bidco Kienyeji Feeds using American technology and innovation.

Bidco Africa partnered with Land O’Lakes Inc in 2016, seeking to tap into the company’s expertise in feed technology and formulation, quality and comprehensive approach to animal health.