Bevan Tabu is a 29-year-old graduate living in Ondiek Estate, Kisumu City.
While others deal with the difficulties of the job search, he spends his days tending to hundreds of exotic birds and hens on his thriving poultry farm.
Tabu’s foray into exotic bird farming was unexpected. He was initially active in the realm of sports gaming before deciding to leave the PlayStation industry after watching the success of another farmer.
“I became interested in this style of farming after witnessing another farmer do it and make a good life. I gradually became interested, and after conducting research on the advantages of keeping exotic birds, I decided to give it a try,” he said.
Tabu opted to pursue this lesser-known sector because she was intrigued by the possibilities and the prospect of earning a solid income.
His journey into farming began with improved indigenous chicken breeds. However, the high cost of feed for these breeds pushed him to investigate alternatives.
“After visiting farms in Nyanza, Mombasa, Uganda, and Tanzania, I decided to focus on exotic birds. I learned a lot from those benchmarking trips,” he stated.
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These gorgeous critters use much less space and are easier to feed and care for than ordinary hens. They can be fed chicken feed, which makes them less expensive to raise.
Tabu’s farm is now a fascinating mosaic of over 20 distinct species, each lovingly cared for in their own cubicle.
His property is home to a remarkable collection of avian wonders, including gorgeous brahma chickens and bearded silkies, vivid Ayam Cemani chickens, and Australian budgies.
Aside from their distinctive appearance, Tabu highlights that these exotic birds are prized for their eggs and meat, making them highly desirable in the market.
Furthermore, the birds’ controllable size and feeding requirements appealed to Tabu, who found them to be a more profitable endeavor than ordinary chickens.
“In a good month, I get a profit of between Ksh 30,000 and Ksh 80,000 from the sale of the birds,” he stated.
The demand for exotic birds in Kenya far exceeds the supply, creating exciting commercial opportunities for poultry producers like Tabu.
While his venture is successful, the unpredictable nature of illnesses can strike and kill birds, resulting in losses.
However, to prevent such hazards, Tabu follows a strict immunization schedule and provides nutritional supplements to the newborn chicks.
He guarantees that by the age of a month, they are strong enough to withstand common infections such as Newcastle and fowl pox.
