Why Kenya is facing poultry feed crisis

Poultry farmers in Kenya today are confronting increasing nutritional and feeding challenges that directly impact production costs, bird health, and overall profitability.

Feed alone accounts for the largest share of production expenses, so any change in ingredient availability or price significantly impacts farmers.

One of the most vital ingredients in poultry feed is soybean meal (SBM). Soya provides high-quality protein and has an excellent amino acid profile that supports rapid growth in broilers and good egg production in layers.

Alongside fish meal, feed millers formulate soybean meal at about 16–22 per cent of the total feed, depending on the type and age of birds.

Sunflower meal is also a valuable protein source, offering fibre, oil, and essential amino acids. The major challenge, however, is that Kenyan farmers do not produce these inputs in large quantities locally, and millers must import them.

This exposes farmers to unreasonable prices and unpredictable supply.

Energy sources in poultry feed present another significant challenge. Maize remains the most commonly used grain because it is affordable, widely available, and provides high metabolisable energy.

However, maize is also a staple food for Kenyan households, meaning the poultry industry directly competes with human food needs, which drives up prices during shortages. Over-reliance on maize is risky, and farmers, along with feed manufacturers, must explore alternative energy sources.

By-products such as rice bran and rice polish, derived from milling paddy rice, are useful alternatives. They provide moderate protein levels of about 11–14 per cent and offer reasonable energy.

Wheat bran, the outer layer of the wheat grain, is another option, with similar protein content. However, wheat itself is costly and less preferred in poultry diets.

Beyond ingredient challenges, grain supply patterns are becoming more unpredictable. Weather changes disrupt harvests, and global trade issues impact the availability and quality of imported cereals.

Feed mills reliant on imports face frequent price fluctuations and shortages.

While no single ingredient can eliminate risk, utilising a wider range of feed ingredients and sourcing from different origins helps mitigate sudden shocks.

The poultry industry is also evolving in how farmers feed and raise their birds. Producers are moving away from routine antibiotic use in feeds.

This shift necessitates closer attention to gut health, feed quality, and hygiene. Without antibiotics to mask poor management, precision nutrition becomes increasingly important.

Properly balancing amino acids, improving digestibility, and supporting gut health enable birds to perform well while maintaining health and productivity.

Disease risks also influence feeding practices. Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to disrupt poultry production and feed supply chains.

Consequently, feed mills are now prioritising biosecurity measures. Proper handling of ingredients, maintaining mill sanitation, preventing cross-contamination, and keeping detailed records of feed sources are key strategies for disease prevention. For farmers, this underscores the importance of choosing feed suppliers who prioritise biosecurity.

Another often overlooked challenge is the rodent menace. Rats consume substantial amounts of poultry feed and contaminate even more.

A single rat can eat twenty-five pounds of feed in a year. In a barn with a moderate infestation of around two hundred rats, this can amount to tonnes of feed lost annually.

Beyond economic loss, rodents spread diseases and diminish feed quality, which directly affects bird performance. Effective rodent control is thus not just about cleanliness but also about safeguarding profits. Lastly, vitamins play a crucial role in poultry health and productivity.

Birds require small but precise amounts of vitamins for normal growth, immunity, and reproduction. As birds age, their vitamin requirements change. If breeding birds are deficient, egg production and hatchability decline, and the resulting chicks may perform poorly.

In summary, Kenyan poultry farmers operate in a challenging environment characterised by expensive and imported protein sources, heavy dependence on maize for energy, unstable grain supplies, evolving disease control measures, biosecurity concerns, rodent-related losses, and the necessity for precise vitamin nutrition. Overcoming these challenges demands smarter feed choices, improved farm management, and closer collaboration between farmers and feed producers.