Your Animal Doctor

Day-old chicks in an establishment in Athi River. A quality vitamin preparation given in the correct dosage should be given to chicks to avert vitamin deficiencies. FILE | NMG

What you need to know:

  • There is an organisation called the Rabbit Breeders Association of Kenya (RABAK).
  • The most common dairy cow is the black and white Friesian.
  • Pig farming is particularly enticing given the short gestation period (they furrow three times in 12 months) with a relatively large litter size (averages 10 piglets) and fast growth.
  • Pigs are vaccinated against, among other diseases, Swine Erysipelas, Parvo, E.coli and Clostridium. For more details and house plans, please visit your local livestock office.

What is wrong with my chicks?

My chicks aged about 4-6 weeks developed some sickness with symptoms including twisted neck, dragging their feet, facing upwards most of the time. I went to local vet and she recommended I buy medication containing calcium and vitamin, but that has not helped at all. Any advice on this sickness and how to control it will be appreciated.

Tanui

Your question lacks important information to help me advise you sufficiently, for example, death rate, if any, and type of birds.

However, the signs you mention point to vitamin deficiencies. A quality vitamin preparation given in the correct dosage should help manage the condition.

Shall I suggest you get in touch with me or provide your contacts to enable me get clarity on the grey areas.

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Rabbit keeping
Do you know of society or a group that teaches rabbit keeping and marketing and how much do they charge. I am from Nyandarua.

Monicah

There is an organisation called the Rabbit Breeders Association of Kenya (RABAK). They are located in Thika town from where they offer training to farmers every second Friday of the month.

You can reach them through 0722 661088.

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Which is best dairy breed?

I want to know which breed is best for dairy farming.

Misoa

There are several good dairy breeds in Kenya, including the Holstein Fresian, the Aryshire, the Guernsey, the jersey and Fleckvieh.

The most common dairy cow, however, is the black and white Friesian. This cow is known to produce a lot more milk compared to the others but must have the right genetics and be fed properly.

The Jersey cow produces less milk when compared to the Friesian but is high in butterfat content that can be used to produce butter and cheese.

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Formulating pig feeds

Kindly help me formulate a good swine diet especially pig grower and pig finisher.

Ngofu

I would suggest you use commercially available feeds but you may contact an animal nutritionist for feed formulation; they charge a fee. Please drop your contacts so that I could refer you to one.

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Infra red bulbs

I am a poultry farmer rearing chicks where can I find infra red bulbs that produce more warmth than light at night? Kibet
Infra red bulbs may be sourced from electrical shops or even some hardware stores.

You may also buy them from online retailers.

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Pig keeping

I have a 1/2 an acre piece of land in Bungoma Town, Western Kenya. I am interested in pig farming but I need some guidance and advice.

Mukhulah

Pig rearing, like any other livestock rearing venture is profitable as long as you get the right breed, practice good management and can find market for your produce.

Pig farming is particularly enticing given the short gestation period (they furrow three times in 12 months) with a relatively large litter size (averages 10 piglets) and fast growth.

To break even, one must keep a large number of pigs. The popular breeds in Kenya are the Largewhite, Hampshire, Duroc and Landrace.

If fed well, piglets are ready for the market at six months’ of age when they attain about 90kg. Farmers Choice is the biggest buyer of ready pigs in Kenya.

Where possible, the pig house should be sited away from human dwellings for purposes of disease control, manure management and avoidance of inconveniences to the public.

The pigsty should be properly ventilated and lit, it should be sheltered from rain and direct sun and should have good water supply and drainage.

Feeds are the biggest cost contributing nearly 80% of rearing cost. A source of quality pig feeds should be easily accessible to you.

Pigs are vaccinated against, among other diseases, Swine Erysipelas, Parvo, E.coli and Clostridium. For more details and house plans, please visit your local livestock office.

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Dr John Muchibi is a Veterinary Surgeon and the Animal Health Manager at Elgon Kenya Ltd. Reach him through 0733715102 or e-mail him through [email protected]