Key Difference between improved KARI and kuroiler breeds.

As kienyeji chickens become more and more popular in Kenya, more and more breeds are entering the market.These improved breeds have higher productivity than the local kienyeji breeds. They have been bred for certain purposes. As a farmer, it is important to take advantage of the different kienyeji chicken breed’s characteristics to fit your purposes. For example, If you are keeping chickens for meat, a rainbow rooster gains faster weight than the improved KARI and kuroiler breeds. Here are some of the improved kienyeji breeds;

KARI kienyeji: This was bred from a range of indigenous chickens in Kenya by KARI (now KARLO) Naivasha. There are five distinct types distinguished by their colours (Table 2)

Kuroiler: This breed entered Kenya from Uganda but originates from India

Kenbro: This is a Kenchick breed

The rainbow rooster: This is a multi-coloured breed originating from India .

Here is a summarized table showing different kienyeji chicken breeds with their characteristics:

Description	KARI kienyeji	Kuroiler	Kenbro	Rainbow rooster
Purpose	Eggs and meat	Eggs and meat	Eggs and meat	Eggs and meat
Maturity (months)	5.5	5	4-5	5
Average egg production (per month)	15-20	18-20	20-25	20-25
Average meat production	Cocks: 2.0-2.2kg	Cocks: 2.2-2.5 kg	Cocks: 2.2-2.5	Cocks: 3.0 kg
	Hens: 1.5-1.8 kg	Hens: 1.8-2.2 kg	Hens:  1.9-2.2 kg	Hens: 1.9- 2.2 kg
Feeding	Normal	Medium	Heavy	Medium
Sitting characteristics	Multi-coloured ones are good sitters	Poor sitters	Does not sit	Does not sit
Decline in production (years)	Hens: 1.5 years	Hens: 1.5 years	Hens: 1.5 years	Hens: 1.5 years
	Cocks: 1.3 years	Cocks: 1 year	Cocks: 1 year	Cocks: 1 year
Disease resistance compared to each other	High	Low	Low	High

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Improved KARI indigenous chickens come in five different colours; spotted, white, black, brown and multi-coloured. They have the following characteristics;

Colour	Visual Features	Sitting	Laying	Weight/ meat
Spotted	Good camouflage	Poor sitters. 25% will sit	Poor layer	Faster weight gain Highest quality meat with better muscle structure
White	With some black		White starts laying earlier.Good layers. More eggs. Larger eggs, so stronger chicks	Becomes heavier
Black	With brown front			Moderate
Brown
Multi-coloured	More indigenous	Better sitters. 75% birds sit	Moderate layers

When starting on improved indigenous chicken business, consider the above characteristics and choose the breed that best suits your purpose. Ensure that you get your breeds from certified breeders for pure breeds.

Much Regards

James M