In this article
Key takeaways
- Chicks here means every day-old bird. Chickens come from Kenchic, Irvine's, Isinya, Kukuchic and KALRO. Turkey and duck chicks come from Naivasha farms such as Nyonjoro Nightingale and Ruaraka Duck Farm.
- Kenchic lists broiler chicks at KSh 105, layer chicks at KSh 150 and Kenbro at KSh 115. It wants 25 chicks, a 25 per cent deposit and about a week.
- Other broiler hatcheries list at KSh 95 to 105. Isinya and Silverlands sit at 95. Irvines, Abbas and Suguna sit at 105.
- Improved kienyeji chicks cost KSh 110 to 130. KALRO breeds can take up to three months to arrive.
- Only 4 per cent of farmers in a 2025 Kenyan study verified vaccination with a certificate. Ask for one every time.
- A chick that is KSh 10 cheaper pays only if it adds under two points of deaths.
Buy from a hatchery you can trace, not from the lowest price. Start with Kenchic for broilers, layers and Kenbro. Compare Isinya, Irvine’s, Silverlands, Abbas and Suguna for broilers. Book Sasso, Kuroiler or KALRO breeds early. For turkeys and ducks, call Nyonjoro Nightingale, Ruaraka Duck Farm or Ziwani. Ask for the hatchery name, the vaccination record and a receipt before you pay.
Best Chick Suppliers in Kenya: Who to Call First in 2026
Four in every 100 farmers verified vaccination with a certificate when they bought broiler chicks. That is the finding of a 2025 study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Ibayi and colleagues). Among farmers who knew their chicks were vaccinated, 44 per cent could not name the vaccines.
So the question is not only where to buy chicks. It is how to know what you bought. In this guide, a chick means any day-old bird. That covers chickens, turkey poults, ducklings, guinea fowl keets and ostrich chicks. You get suppliers by region, with phone numbers, prices, collection days and waits. You then get the checks that protect a batch.
The chick is about 28 per cent of your broiler running cost. It carries all of your risk.
Pick a supplier by your goal
| Your goal | Call first | Chick (KSh) | Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broilers for a quick sale | Kenchic, or compare Irvine's, Isinya, Silverlands, Abbas and Suguna | 95 to 105 | About 1 week at Kenchic |
| Commercial layers | Kenchic | About 150 | Up to 6 months quoted in 2024 |
| Improved kienyeji | Kenbro, Sasso, Kuroiler, EcoKuku, Ziwani | 110 to 130 | 1 week at Kenchic. KALRO breeds up to 3 months |
| Turkeys | Nyonjoro Nightingale (Naivasha), Ziwani (Thika) | Ask for a quote | Book ahead |
| Ducks | Ruaraka Duck Farm (Naivasha), Ziwani (Thika) | Ask for a quote | Book ahead |
| Guinea fowl and ostrich | Gem (Kilifi), Maasai Ostrich (Kajiado) | Ostrich about 30,000 to 40,000 | KWS licence for ostrich |
Prices: Kenchic and Beyond Forest. Layer wait: one breeder quoted in The Star, July 2024. KALRO wait: ILRI. Prices change by season and quantity, so confirm by phone.
Demand and Supply: Why Chicks Run Short and Who Fills the Gap
Demand is shifting toward village-style birds. KNBS counted 59.3 million indigenous chickens at the end of 2024, up 9.2 per cent. Commercial broilers fell from 5.5 million to 5.0 million (Zootecnica International, from KNBS). Kenya also imports about 5 billion eggs a year (The Star, October 2025). That keeps layer chicks in demand.
Supply is thin at the top. The 2025 study found one grandparent farm and 14 parent-stock farms behind local broilers (Frontiers). When one stumbles, every buyer waits. The Star reported in July 2024 that breeders had cut output and feed costs had risen. One breeder said layer farmers faced waits near six months. Broiler waits had fallen from two or three weeks to about one (The Star).
KALRO is widening the improved kienyeji supply. Supply of improved indigenous chicks rose from 200,000 in 2010 to 800,000 plus in 2025 (KNA). Even so, waits for KALRO breeds still run to three months (ILRI). Our 2021 directory said about 42 per cent of Kenyan chicks go to export markets.
How broiler chicks reach your farm
| Link in the chain | What the 2025 study found | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Parent stock | 14 farms supply local commercial chicks | Few sources. A problem at one hits many buyers. |
| Imports | About 10 per cent from Uganda, higher in November and December | December chicks may travel further. |
| Hatchery to farm | About 35 per cent go straight to own or contract farms. About 65 per cent go through depots. | A third never reach the open market. |
| Depot to farm | Veterinary drug shops handle about 96 per cent of depot chicks | Your seller may be a shop, not the hatchery. |
| Where farmers bought | 58 per cent drug shops, 36 per cent hatchery agents, 6 per cent Uganda | Ask which hatchery packed the box. |
Source: Ibayi and colleagues, 2025. Fieldwork ran from June 2023 to January 2024 and covers commercial broiler chicks. Layer and kienyeji flows may differ.
Chick Suppliers Near You: Where to Buy by Region
Most farmers buy within a few hours of the farm. Short trips mean fewer deaths in transit. Start with the supplier nearest to you, then compare prices.
Where to buy day-old chicks, by region
| Region | Hatchery centres and shops | Resellers and specialists |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi and Kiambu | Kenchic (Nairobi, Ruai, Ruiru, Rironi). Irvine's (Ndumberi). Muguku (Kikuyu). Anirita, Gatare, Betsy (Nairobi). Franku, Kim (Kiambu). | Danshi (Ruai, Kitengela). EcoKuku (Nairobi). Ziwani (Ngoliba, Thika). |
| Kajiado | Isinya (Kisaju). Maasai Ostrich. | Danshi (Kitengela). |
| Central and Mt Kenya | Kenchic (Nyeri, Meru, Ikinu). Irvine's (Nyeri). Brade Gate (Nyeri). King'ong'o (Nyeri). | Midlands Kenya Chicken (Karatina). |
| Rift Valley | Kenchic (Nakuru). Irvine's (Nakuru, Kitale). Kukuchic and A/A Acacia (Uasin Gishu). Kim and Bixa (Nakuru). Kenbrid and KALRO (Naivasha). | Danshi (Lanet, Nakuru). Nyonjoro Nightingale, Ruaraka Duck Farm and Olerai (Naivasha). |
| Western and Nyanza | Kenchic (Kisumu). Irvine's (Kisumu). Lakechic (Kisumu). Western Kenya (Webuye). KALRO Kakamega (planned). | EcoKuku delivers to all 47 counties. |
| Coast | Kenchic (Mombasa, Mtwapa). Hedge, Latifali Amirali and Gem (Kilifi). Bixa (Kwale). | EcoKuku delivers to all 47 counties. |
Sources are cited in the sections below. Names without a source come from our 2021 directory. Phone before you travel.
Where to Buy the Best Layer and Broiler Chicks in Kenya: Nine Hatcheries and Networks
These suppliers hatch their own chicks or run their own outlets. They sell layers, broilers or both. They give you the clearest paper trail.
Layer and broiler hatcheries
| Hatchery | Location | Chick type |
|---|---|---|
| Kenchic Ltd | Nairobi, Mombasa, Mtwapa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Meru, Ruiru, Ikinu, Ruai | Layers and broilers |
| Sigma Supplies | Kajiado (Isinya) | Layers and broilers |
| Irvine's Kenya | Ndumberi, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kitale, Kisumu | Broilers |
| Muguku Poultry Farm | Kikuyu | Layers and broilers |
| Kenbrid | Naivasha | Layers and broilers |
| Brade Gate | Nyeri | Layers and broilers |
| Western Kenya | Webuye | Layers and broilers |
| Lakechic | Kisumu | Layers and broilers |
| Hedge | Kilifi | Layers |
Sources: Kenchic, Citizen Digital, WATTAgNet, Irvine’s Group and our 2021 directory.
Kenchic takes day-old chick calls from Monday to Saturday on 0703 056 055 and at wakulima@kenchic.com. Collection points for vaccinated chicks are Ruai, Ikinu, Mtwapa and Ruiru. Its Kiambu centre gives Newcastle, Gumboro and Marek’s vaccines. A walk-in technician is free (The Star). Kenchic also runs in Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.
Sigma Supplies was Isinya Feeds. It sells Cobb 500 broilers and Lohmann layers. Its parent flocks are imported. One profile reports 200,000 chicks a week and 100,000 table eggs a day (Nairobi News). Its slaughterhouse handles 1,500 chickens an hour (WATTAgNet).
Muguku in Kikuyu reports 500,000 chicks hatched a day. Brade Gate in Nyeri has a breeding farm, hatchery, processing plant and feed mill. It reports 160,000 chicks a week. Kenbrid in Naivasha was ranked third-largest in Kenya. It hatched over 1 million chicks in 2004.
Irvine’s shop numbers: Nakuru 0713 917 981. Kisumu 0117 419 378. Kitale 0713 719 676. Nyeri 0117 252 213 (Irvine’s Group).
Resellers and Kienyeji Specialists: Danshi, Ziwani and EcoKuku
Resellers stock chicks from several hatcheries in one place. Specialists focus on improved and pure kienyeji. Both help when you want a mixed order.
Resellers and specialists
| Supplier | Sells | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Danshi | Chicks from many hatcheries | 0733 888 005 |
| Ziwani Poultry | Kienyeji, ducks, turkeys, eggs | 0708 923 991 |
| EcoKuku | Kuroiler, Sasso, Rainbow Rooster | 0710 905 696 |
Sources: Danshi, Ziwani Poultry and EcoKuku.
Danshi opens Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. On Saturday it opens 8 am to 4 pm. Call or WhatsApp to check stock. Then place an advance order for your date (Danshi). It stocks Kenchic, Isinya, Suguna, Irvins and Silverland chicks. It also lists Kenbro and Sasso.
EcoKuku says it delivers free to all 47 counties at the Nairobi price. It asks for no deposit. You pay on delivery or by M-Pesa before dispatch (EcoKuku).
Where to Buy Broiler Chicks in Kenya: Hatcheries, Prices and Collection Days
Six hatcheries publish prices on Beyond Forest. Kenchic also publishes its order terms. It asks for 25 chicks and a 25 per cent deposit. You then get a collection date about a week later (Kenchic).
More broiler and hybrid chick suppliers
| Hatchery or farm | Location | Chick type |
|---|---|---|
| Anirita | Nairobi | Broilers |
| Kim Hatchery | Nakuru and Kiambu | Broilers |
| Bixa Kenya Hatchery | Kwale, Nakuru | Broilers |
| Franku | Kiambu | Broilers |
| A/A Acacia | Uasin Gishu | Broilers |
| Latifali Amirali | Kilifi | Broilers |
| King'ong'o Hatchery | Nyeri | Broilers |
| Gatare | Nairobi | Broilers |
| Betsy Poultry Farm | Nairobi | Broilers |
| Midlands Kenya Chicken | Karatina, Nyeri County | Kienyeji and hybrid chicks |
| Kukuchick Limited | Uasin Gishu (Eldoret), Elgeyo Marakwet | Rainbow Rooster, Kuroiler |
| NextGen Poultry Farm | Over 19 counties | Kuroiler, Rainbow, Kenbro |
Source: our 2021 directory. Phone before you travel.
Midlands also sells cages and drinkers. Kukuchick began in 2013. NextGen sells vaccinated kienyeji chicks. It calls itself an organic breeding farm.
Broiler day-old chicks, 2026
| Supplier | Chick (KSh) | Collect on |
|---|---|---|
| Kenchic | 105 | Monday to Friday |
| Irvines | 105 | Monday to Thursday |
| Isinya | 95 | Monday |
| Silverlands | 95 | Friday |
| Abbas | 105 | Tuesday |
| Suguna | 105 | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday |
Prices and days: Beyond Forest, updated September 2026. Kenchic terms: Kenchic. Danshi stocks most of these. Delivery is extra.
Is the cheapest chick the cheapest?
Not always. On our broiler model, each extra point of deaths costs about KSh 5 a chick placed. A KSh 10 saving is wiped out by under two extra points. These figures are for 500 chicks and do not claim any named supplier loses more chicks.
What a cheaper chick is worth
| Chick price | Deaths | Gross profit (KSh) | Against baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSh 105 | 5 per cent | 54,750 | Baseline |
| KSh 95 | 5 per cent | 59,750 | +5,000 |
| KSh 95 | 7 per cent | 54,600 | -150 |
| KSh 95 | 10 per cent | 46,875 | -7,875 |
| KSh 105 | 3 per cent | 59,900 | +5,150 |
Gross profit for 500 broilers before labour, from our broiler model. Baseline is a KSh 105 chick with 5 per cent deaths. Every dead chick still carries its full cost.
Layer Chick Suppliers in Kenya: Prices and the Long Wait
Kenchic lists layer chicks at KSh 150 (Kenchic). Other sources run lower and higher. Prices depend on services such as hatchery vaccination. Layers are also the chick type most likely to make you wait.
Layer day-old chick prices
| Source | Chick (KSh) | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kenchic | 150 | Checked 7 November 2026 |
| Beyond Forest | 130 to 160 | Updated September 2026 |
| Breeders quoted in The Star | 140 to 170 | July 2024 |
Sources: Kenchic, Beyond Forest and The Star. The Beyond Forest page gives two ranges for layers, so confirm before you pay.
If you cannot wait, ask about started pullets. They cost more and cut your brooding risk. See our layers farming guide for the cash you need before the first egg.
Where to Buy Improved Kienyeji Chicks in Kenya: Kenbro, Sasso, Kuroiler and KALRO
Improved kienyeji chicks cost more than broilers and take longer to arrive. Beyond Forest lists five sources (Beyond Forest). EcoKuku adds a sixth, with delivery to every county.
Improved kienyeji breeders
| Breeder or farm | Location | Chick type |
|---|---|---|
| KARI-Naivasha (KALRO) | Nakuru | Improved KARI kienyeji ecotypes |
| Yegen Farm | Uasin Gishu | Indigenous ecotypes |
| Kukuchic | Uasin Gishu | Indigenous ecotypes |
Source: our 2021 directory. A hatchery named Kukuchic Limited also runs in Luweero, Uganda (Hendrix Genetics). Kukuchic reports capacity of 120,000 chicks a week (Fuzu).
Improved kienyeji day-old chicks
| Breed | Seller | Chick (KSh) | Collect on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenbro | Kenchic | 115 | Monday to Friday |
| Kuroiler | Beyond Forest listing | 110 | Wednesday, Thursday |
| Navogen kienyeji | Beyond Forest listing | 120 | Confirm with seller |
| Sasso | Silverlands | 130 | Tuesday |
| Sasso | Interchick | 130 | Friday |
| Sasso | EcoKuku | 110 to 120 | Delivered |
Sources: Beyond Forest, Kenchic and EcoKuku, whose pages show KSh 110 and KSh 120. Ask who bred the chicks. For which breed to pick, see our chicken breeds guide.
KALRO supplies through private multipliers. Its Non-Ruminant Research Centre in Naivasha has a new 2,000-bird breeding and multiplication unit (KNA). The Naivasha hatchery has sent 950,000 birds to farmers. KALRO plans 38,000 chicks a month at Naivasha. A new Kakamega unit will add 12,000 (KNA).
Started birds save weeks of brooding. They cost much more than day-old chicks, so work out your own brooding cost first.
Kuroiler started birds
| Age | Bird (KSh) | Over day-old (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| Day-old | 110 | 0 |
| 2 weeks | 190 | 80 |
| 3 weeks | 250 | 140 |
| 4 weeks | 300 | 190 |
| 6 weeks | 450 | 340 |
Prices: Beyond Forest. The last column is our subtraction from the day-old Kuroiler price. EcoKuku lists Sasso at KSh 150 at one week. It is KSh 300 at one month and KSh 550 at two months (EcoKuku). If chicks die in your brooder, read why chicks die.
Beyond Chicken: Where to Buy Turkey, Duck, Guinea Fowl and Ostrich Chicks
Naivasha has the best-known turkey and duck farms. Thika, Kilifi and Kajiado add more sources. Call early and ask for hatch dates.
Nyonjoro Nightingale in Naivasha sells day-old turkey poults (Biznakenya). Our 2021 directory called it the largest commercial turkey farm in East Africa. It reported 30,000 to 75,000 turkeys a year. Birds sell at 4 kg after 4 months. Others reach 11 kg after 5 to 8 months. Meat starts at KSh 685 a kilo. The farm says its birds get no antibiotics or hormones.
Ruaraka Duck Farm in Naivasha hatches ducks. Our 2021 directory called it the only duck hatchery in Kenya. Packing and further processing happen in Nairobi. Olerai Duck Farm also runs in Naivasha. Ziwani Poultry in Thika sells six duck varieties, turkeys and hatching eggs (Ziwani Poultry). Call Ziwani on 0708 923 991.
Gem in Kilifi hatches guinea fowl, quails, ducks, ostrich and broilers. It rears birds for 6 to 8 weeks. Sigona is a turkey hatchery. Maasai Ostrich in Kajiado supplies ostrich.
Turkey, duck, guinea fowl and ostrich suppliers
| Farm | Location | Bird type |
|---|---|---|
| Nyonjoro Nightingale | Naivasha | Turkeys |
| Sigona Poultry Farm | Turkey hatchery | Turkeys |
| Ruaraka Duck Farm | Naivasha | Ducks |
| Olerai Duck Farm | Naivasha | Ducks |
| Ziwani Poultry | Ngoliba, Thika | Ducks, turkeys, hatching eggs |
| Gem | Kilifi | Broilers, guinea fowl, quails, ducks, ostrich |
| Maasai Ostrich | Kajiado | Ostrich |
Sources: Biznakenya, Ziwani Poultry, Dawan Africa and our 2021 directory. Ask each farm for current prices and vaccination records.
Ostrich chicks need a licence
Ostriches are protected wildlife. Commercial farming needs a Kenya Wildlife Service licence. It covers ownership, breeding, transport and sale. You must show land, secure fencing, housing and a veterinary plan. Buy only from licensed breeding farms (Dawan Africa, July 2026).
The same article gives industry estimates. A one-month-old ostrich chick costs KSh 30,000 to 40,000. Breeding juveniles cost KSh 70,000 to 90,000, depending on pedigree and age.
How to Check a Chick Supplier Before You Pay: 8 Questions
Ask every supplier the same questions. That keeps your comparison fair (Fama). A good supplier answers quickly and in writing.
Ask, then listen for the answer
| Ask | A good answer | Walk away if |
|---|---|---|
| Which hatchery packed this box? | A name, a place and a hatch date | The seller does not know |
| Was Marek's vaccine given at the hatchery? | Yes, with a certificate (Nation) | No certificate |
| What else was given at day one? | Newcastle and bronchitis spray, plus an injection that includes Gumboro (Kenchic) | They say all done, with no names |
| Can you name buyers near me? | Two or three recent customers | No references at all |
| What are the terms in writing? | Price, minimum, deposit and collection date | Only a mobile money number |
| How will the chicks travel? | Early morning or evening, direct, ventilated | Up to three days by bus |
| What if chicks arrive dead? | A written replacement policy | No policy |
| Do you give antibiotics at sale? | A vet prescribes after a lab test | A starter pack for every buyer |
Transport guidance: Nation Seeds of Gold. In the study, 54 per cent of distributors recommended antibiotics at sale (Frontiers). Kenchic says antibiotics should follow lab analysis (The Star).
Check the chicks when they arrive
- 1Look at the eyes. They should be bright and open.
- 2Look at the navel. It should be clean, dry and closed.
- 3Test the legs. Chicks should stand firm and right themselves on their backs.
- 4Count the dead. Transit deaths should stay at or below 2 per cent.
- 5Photograph the box. Keep the label, the receipt and the vaccination certificate.
These checks come from a Nation guide by an Egerton University programme. Move chicks in the cool hours and go straight to the farm.
Get a supplier shortlist for your county
Send us your county, breed and flock size. We will give you a call list, an order schedule and a checklist.
Ask on WhatsAppWhat Changed Since Our 2021 Chick Suppliers Guide
2021 guide against this one
| Topic | 2021 guide | This guide |
|---|---|---|
| Prices | Turkey meat price only | Chick prices for broilers, layers, kienyeji and ostrich |
| Contact details | Names and towns | Phone numbers for five suppliers |
| Where to buy | Lists by bird type | Every 2021 name kept, plus regions, resellers and new suppliers |
| Kenchic centres | Listed as towns | Centres in eight towns |
| Kenchic farmers | 10,000 plus contracted | About 40 contracted growers (The Star, 2025) |
| Kienyeji supply | Not covered | KALRO units, output and waits |
| Traceability | Not covered | 2025 study on how chicks reach farms |
| Quality checks | A short list of tips | Eight questions and five checks |
Sources: The Star, November 2025 for Kenchic growers. All other changes come from the sources cited in each section.
What Nobody Tells You About Buying Chicks in Kenya
- 1Your seller is often a shop. Veterinary drug shops handle about 96 per cent of depot chicks.
- 2Few farmers check papers. Only 4 per cent verified vaccination with a certificate.
- 3Chicks travel far. Some travelled up to three days, often by bus or motorbike.
- 4Losses start before your farm. One in four distributors reported losses of up to 5 per cent in transit.
All four findings come from the same 2025 study (Frontiers in Veterinary Science). Kenchic also says many chick sellers cannot be traced (The Star). That is a company statement, but the study backs it.
Reality check: advice against the field
Advice
- 1Buy from a registered hatchery
- 2Check the vaccination record
- 3Book early and collect fast
Reality
- 1Most farmers buy through a drug shop
- 2Most never see a certificate
- 3Waits run from one week to six months
Five Shifts That Will Change Where You Buy Chicks
Shifts to plan for
| Shift | What is happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | ILRI proposes licensed private hatcheries and a franchise model (ILRI). | Ask for the licence number. |
| More KALRO chicks | New KALRO units at Naivasha and Kakamega aim for 50,000 chicks a month (KNA). | Join a waiting list early. |
| Local vaccines | KALRO’s new lab makes low-cost Newcastle and Gumboro vaccines (Kenya News Agency). | Ask your county vet where to buy. |
| December rush | Imports from Uganda rise in November and December (Frontiers). | Book before the rush. |
| Kienyeji pull | Indigenous birds rose 9.2 per cent in 2024 while broilers fell (Zootecnica). | Book kienyeji chicks early. |
Hatcheries fall under the Animal Diseases (Hatcheries) Rules. These shifts are trends, not forecasts.
Questions Readers Ask About Chick Suppliers in Kenya
Which is the best chick supplier in Kenya?
No single supplier is best for everyone. Kenchic publishes its prices and order terms. Isinya, Irvine's, Silverlands, Abbas and Suguna list broiler prices on Beyond Forest. Choose the one you can trace.
Where can I buy day-old chicks in Kenya?
Buy from Kenchic poultry centres, Irvine's shops, Isinya at Kisaju or resellers such as Danshi. For kienyeji, try Ziwani, EcoKuku or KALRO.
How do I contact chick suppliers in Kenya?
Kenchic: 0703 056 055. Danshi: 0733 888 005. Irvine's: 0714 513 519. Ziwani: 0708 923 991. EcoKuku: 0710 905 696. Numbers come from each supplier's own site.
Where does Kenchic sell chicks?
Kenchic has poultry centres in eight towns. Book on its website or call 0703 056 055.
How much is a day-old broiler chick in Kenya?
Listings run from KSh 95 to 105 in 2026. Isinya and Silverlands list at 95. Kenchic, Irvines, Abbas and Suguna list at 105. Delivery is extra.
How much is a layer chick in Kenya?
Kenchic lists layer chicks at KSh 150. Other sources give KSh 130 to 170. Confirm before you pay.
How much is a Kenbro chick?
Kenchic lists Kenbro at KSh 115 a chick. Orders start at 25 chicks with a 25 per cent deposit.
How much are Kuroiler and Sasso chicks?
Beyond Forest lists Kuroiler at KSh 110 and Sasso at KSh 130. EcoKuku lists Sasso at KSh 110 to 120. Navogen kienyeji is KSh 120.
What is Kenchic's minimum order?
Kenchic asks for at least 25 chicks, with no maximum. You pay a 25 per cent deposit and receive a collection date. It says the wait is about one week.
How do I know chicks are vaccinated?
Ask for the hatchery vaccination certificate, including Marek. Kenchic gives Marek and Gumboro by injection and Newcastle with bronchitis by spray at day one. Keep the certificate.
Is it safe to buy chicks from a drug shop?
It can be, but check the source. The 2025 study found drug shops handle about 96 per cent of depot chicks. Ask which hatchery packed the box and when it hatched.
How long will I wait for chicks?
Kenchic says about one week. Layer farmers faced waits near six months in 2024. KALRO improved breeds can take up to three months.
Should I buy day-old or started chicks?
Day-old chicks are cheapest. Started Kuroiler cost KSh 190 at two weeks and KSh 450 at six weeks. Buy started birds only if brooding is your weak point.
Is a cheaper chick worth it?
Only if it does not add deaths. On our model, two extra points of deaths erase a KSh 10 saving on 500 broilers.
What should I check when chicks arrive?
Bright eyes, a dry closed navel, firm legs and active chicks. Transit deaths should stay at or below 2 per cent. Keep the receipt and box label.
Where do I buy turkey poults in Kenya?
Nyonjoro Nightingale in Naivasha sells day-old poults. Ziwani Poultry in Thika sells turkeys and hatching eggs. Book ahead and ask for vaccination records.
Where do I buy ducklings in Kenya?
Ruaraka Duck Farm and Olerai Duck Farm are in Naivasha. Ziwani Poultry in Thika sells six duckling varieties, including Muscovy and Pekin.
Where do I buy guinea fowl chicks?
Gem in Kilifi hatches guinea fowl, quails, ducks and broilers. Ask for keet prices and ages before you travel.
Where do I buy ostrich chicks, and do I need a licence?
Buy from a licensed breeding farm, such as those around Kajiado and Kitengela. You need a Kenya Wildlife Service licence. A one-month chick is estimated at KSh 30,000 to 40,000.
Do hatcheries need a licence in Kenya?
Hatcheries fall under the Animal Diseases (Hatcheries) Rules. Vets audit them each year. Ask a supplier for its licence. To run one yourself, see our hatchery guide.
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Written by Agcenture
We help farmers and agribusinesses across Kenya plan farms, grow profitably and reach markets. Our guides use public sources and field experience.
Agcenture has done an extensive research to gather this information for you, exclusion or inclusion of any poultry farm in this list is not a portray of bias or endorsement.
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