Egg and Chicken Farming at Athi River Campus
A few years ago, Athi River campus began egg and chicken production. Today there are about 3000 laying chickens. This small farming operation produces about 1200 eggs per day in peak season! In addition to laying hens, the farm raises broilers. These are usually ready for slaughter in 5-6 weeks from hatching. This cycle produces about 500-600 chickens for consumption weekly. Both the eggs and the chickens are sold back to the cafeterias on both Daystar campuses. The Daystar cafeterias enjoy a reduced price over regular market value. Any extra product is sold to the community. If sold in bulk, 150 eggs or more at a time, a similar discount is passed on to the buyer.
Charles heads up the chicken farming. He worked in this industry for 10 years before coming to Daystar to start the initiative in 2022. Each day we cares for the hens making sure their water dispensers are filled and working properly. He checks on hens and gathers the eggs from the trough. The eggs roll gently down into the collection trough. Each hen also gets a yearly vaccine against possible bird infections.
“I like the warmer weather here in Athi River,” noted Charles, “it’s better for the hens.” It’s obvious that Charles loves his work. Before starting this project at Daystar, Charles worked at a chicken production company after learning the principles from his family farm. With his vast experience managing chickens Charles knows what works best for food, climate and circumstances. He’s settled in a small house near the chicken shelter and feels very welcomed into the Daystar family and surrounding community. He has three children that he hopes will be able to attend Daystar one day.
Charles told us there are plans to expand the farming component at Daystar. Charles explained, “We have a vision to rear pigs for Farmer’s Choice – to get sausages for the cafeterias in both campuses.” Farmer’s Choice is a Kenyan company producing meat products. Using Farmer’s Choice allows Daystar to get the meat processed easily. Chickens and pigs are a good farming combination due to how they eat. Part of the farm vision is to help out with funding for scholarships. “I’m encouraged that I can help raise funds for scholarship students. It’s good to be able to complete their studies,” Charles comments.
Sometimes the stories at Daystar are hidden at the back of the campus in humble circumstances. But Daystar is a family with everyone contributing to the servant leaders of tomorrow. If you visit Daystar and have an interest in sustainability, seeing the egg production is a memorable experience.