Feedback: How do I get rid of fleas? And which are the best groundnuts?

CURBING FLEAS IN POULTRY

My chickens and geese have been infested by stick fleas. What is the permanent solution to getting rid of them and avoiding future infestation?

Anto Kabugu

Fleas lead to overall reduction in production like laying or even mortality. They attach to the skin around the face, head and anal region causing loss of weight, severe irritation, loss of feathers, pale combs and wattles.

They can even cause blindness or anaemia. In short, they make poultry farmers harvest losses, therefore, must be controlled.

Control of these parasites involves using pesticide dusts or sprays but good hygiene of the poultry coop is mandatory.

If not properly controlled, hiding fleas multiply and make problems to recur. Put on protective clothing and begin by removing all the chicken and geese from the coop, then clean it entirely, removing all the bedding and cobwebs and burning.

Treating the birds and houses involve use of powders or insecticide chemicals. If using powder like Sevin Dudu Dust, apply directly to every bird, including under their wings and their fluffy bottoms.

You can also mix a pyrethroid chemical with water in a large container at the recommended quantities on the packaging then dip each bird.

Repeat the entire process of deep cleaning the house and dusting or dipping the flock again in seven to 14 days until the fleas’ life cycle is completely broken.

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

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BEST VARIETY OF GROUNDNUTS

I am Robert from Kwale County. I want to grow groundnuts. Which variety/breed is suitable to grow in this region?

The best groundnut variety for the sandy loams and hot temperatures of Kwale County would be “Red Valencia”. This variety is a moderate yielder with medium sized red coated nuts.

Prof Richard Mulwa, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

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I WANT TO KEEP CHICKENS

I would like to rear kienyeji improved Kari chicken. Please connect me with someone who can assist me from from start and offer assistance along the way.

Judy from Kasarani

Kienyeji improved chicken do offer better economic returns. This is initially achieved through acquisition of better quality breeds and adequate management standards.

For Kari improved, write to Naivasha station at [email protected]. They can then connect you to their authorised agents in Nairobi, if any.

Fredrick Agutu, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

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COST OF REARING CHICKENS

Please help me understand the cost of rearing chickens to market weight and the type of feed they consume starting from week one.

Wilson Macharia

Feeding in poultry farming accounts for over 70 per cent of the production costs. This can vary depending on the source of quality feeds, that is, whether you formulate your own to lower production costs or you buy from commercial feed manufacturing companies.

Either option, we can help you work with more accurate estimates from the day you keep day old chicks for broilers and up to culling layers.

We will give you a professional worksheet that displays all the feeding and treatment costs up to the profits you should expect, depending on the number of birds you intend to keep.

This is a service that attracts little cost from your side. Get in touch through [email protected].

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

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HERBICIDES FOR ZERO TILLING

As a small scale farmer, I am interested with zero tilling. I am interested to know the kind of herbicides I can use before planting? 

Bernard Chomba

The best zero tillage herbicide is Round Up. I would go for this because the glyphosate molecule contained in it is broad spectrum and will systematically kill all possible weeds. It acts on anything that photosynthesizes.

Prof. Richard Mulwa, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

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CURBING MOLES IN POTATO FIELD

Please advise me on how to curb moles. They have invaded my potato plot with vengeance.
Muthoni Ndungu

There are a number of ways to curb this problem. One, you can trap the moles by use wire noose. Second you can use rodenticides which are available in agrovets.

If you have cattle, mix the cowdung and pepper and place them in the burrow holes and burn them to smoke them out. Also pour fermented cattle urine on the burrow holes that has a stinging smell to and keep them away.

Hezekiah Korir, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

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LOOKING FOR DAIRY GOATS FOR ARID AREAS

I am an ardent reader of Seeds of Gold . I thank you for the educative magazine. Though I have a small piece of fenced farmland, I am interested in establishing dairy goat farming in an arid area of Tiaty, Baringo County.

Could you kindly educate me on the  following:

1. The best breed in  an arid  environment ?

2. Where can I get the best breed and how much it can cost me to get one?

3. My bias is to get Toggenburg or Anglo Nubian breed, can I get such breeds at Egerton or any reputable farm in Nakuru or Nyahururu?

Lopunei

It is great to hear of your ambition to start Dairy goat farming in Baringo. Most of the exotic dairy goat breeds are easily affected by heat stress and other environmental conditions and more so if they are to be introduced as mature life animals.

My recommendation is that you start with Galla goats or their cross breed with the exotic breed of choice. This you can upgrade with time to get goats suitable to the environment if possible.

In Nakuru and Nyahururu, you can source Toggenburg goats from dairy goats’ farmers who are members of Farming Systems of Kenya, Catholic Diocese of Nakuru and other farmers’ groups keeping dairy goats.

We no longer have Anglo Nubian goats at true breed though you may get some cross breeds.

Musyoka Duncan, Department of Animal Science, Egerton University