Throughout the years, pig farming in Kenya has slowly ascended to be one of the best agribusiness ventures. Pork represents 38% of the world's meat generation, making it extremely well-known meat. Domesticated pigs are called swine. Swine reproduce two times per year, their growth period being just 114 days, that is 3 months, three weeks and three days. Farmers raising pigs for sale can get a great deal of benefit, depending upon the quantity of pigs they raise in their homestead. Farmers in Kenya can buy their pigs from trusted sources like the Agricultural Development farm in Nakuru. Much the same as some other business, a man hoping to go into pig farming ought to do research to decide if the business will realize the benefit or not. Absence of research and planning may cause disappointments when looked with the difficulties that accompany pig farming in Kenya. Here are factors to consider before venturing in pig farming.
The best guidance for somebody who is not involved in pig farming is to start small. Should misfortune happen, it ought to be one that does not totally set you back. Look at the land available; few pigs will occupy less land than a big number of pigs. Keeping a big number of pigs in a small area will add to speedier spreading of maladies and higher death rates.
Swine are kept in piggeries. The span of a piggery built will rely upon the quantity of pigs to be kept by the farmer; an extensive, open pen is suitable for many pigs and the other way around. For good benefit, a farmer should keep at least 10 pigs.
It would take around 14 months to acknowledge returns of profitability on pig farming in Kenya, which likewise relies upon the quantity of pigs raised.
Read: What to consider when starting a dairy farm
A good number of entrepreneurs focus on production first and then look for a market later. This shows a lack of preparation. You must look for a market around you. Ask yourself what kind of meat people in your area prefer; is it beef or pork? Are you located near a butchery or butcheries? This may be an added advantage. Also, what are the religious beliefs of people the people around? A place populated by Muslims for example would be a bad idea to rear pigs as they have negative beliefs towards them and do not consume pork.
[caption id="attachment_2083" align="alignright" width="300"] Yorkshire Pig on Grass[/caption]
Famous breeds in Kenya are substantial white, landrace, Yorkshire duroc and Hampshire. Select a breed that is incredible for furrowing; it should bring forth solid piglets.
Landrace are long, huge, farrow increasingly and are great moms. Then again, Large White are huge and solid while Duroc develops quick, puts on weight quick and are overwhelming.
Farrowing ought to be no less than two times every year. Ensure that the sows are legitimately sustained and kept healthy to guarantee they come to warm not long after in the wake of farrowing. Similarly, it is essential that boars ought to be very well fed and be healthy for appropriate serving and avert spreading of maladies.
Read: 11 Ways to Succeed In Agri-Business Even After Failing Several Times In The Past
Construct a sizable piggery with enough space for your pigs as they like to stay together. The pen should be divided into four parts; the feeding area, sleeping area, waste area and an extra area for moving around. Pigs can be messy, so concrete piggeries are better than mud piggeries for hygiene purposes. The pen should be warm as pigs have small lungs compared to their body size hence susceptible to pneumonia attacks. Set aside a quarantine area for when one or more falls sick so that they do not infect the rest.
The piggery should be kept clean always especially during rainy days to avoid spreading of infections.