Rainbow rooster is an improved kienyeji chicken breed that is catching up fast in Kenyan farm, this breed was also also developed in India. Originally bred by INDBRO research PVT in India. Rainbow roosters have been distributed to Uganda, SSD & TZ through partnerships
Originally bred by INDBRO research PVT in India.The bird has demonstrated utmost performance and adaptability in East Africa.In Kenya,it is bred by Kukuchic LTD and chicks are available from agents.
Indbro research was registered in 1956. In 2000, the company started research into pure line chicken breeds that could tolerate hot and humid temperatures that have low-density diets and could tolerate low-level infections.
Where to buy rainbow roosters in Kenya
You can buy rainbow roosters from Adweek chicks. Adweek chicks are distributors they offer free country wide delivery.
Rainbow roosters in Kenya are bred in Eldoret. They have about 20,000 rainbow roosters parent stock, with the ability to produce 240,000 chicks every month. They have 3 breeder farms and one hatchery. Rainbow roosters are also available from kukuchic agents’.
Kukuchic agents contacts 0742214220 Has partnered with farmers groups in various Counties in Kenya like Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Siaya, Murang’a, Meru and Turkana amonst others to supply day old chicks to women and youth groups.
Rainbow rooster chicken Breed Profile at a glance
Breed Name: Rainbow Rooster.
Scientific Name: Gallus domesticus.
Rainbow roosters are multi-coloured.
Rainbow rooster are dual purpose, suitable for both eggs and meat.
Rainbow rooster are adapted for free range.
Rainbow rooster have high disease resistance.
Rainbow rooster Fast maturity-Mature males 3.5-4 Kgs, Females 2.5-3 Kgs.
Rainbow rooster egg production: 20-25 eggs per month.
Rainbow rooster economical laying period;1.5 years.
Rainbow rooster feed consumption; Heavy feeder.
Rainbow rooster sitting characteristics; Does not sit on eggs (does not get broody).
Advantages of Rainbow Roosters
Rainbow roosters have a high resistance to diseases.
Rainbow roosters are suitable for free-range system, hence consumes less feed.
Due to high resistance to poultry diseases and the free-range nature of rainbow roosters, rainbow rooster farming can be carried out with a low investment.
Rainbow Rooster Feeding Program.
Rainbow rooster farming can be done with low investment. It requires simple housing and a farmer can improvise drinkers and feeders using available materials e.g. plastic jericans.
1 to 4 weeks old chicks should be fed on chick mash at the rate of between 13 to 50 grams per day. 5 to 8 weeks old can be fed on growers mash or kienyeji mash at the rate of 50 to 70 grams per day in addition to free range roaming. Over 20 weeks old chicken can be fed on layers mash at the rate of 130 g per day.
The rainbow rooster is a dual-purpose chicken and the feeding program depends on your objectives.
You may want to raise the rainbow rooster as a broiler, where it gains weight as fast as possible and is sold for meat.
Another objective is to raise the rainbow rooster as a layer, for long term laying of eggs. The demand for organic meat and eggs is growing and you may also want to raise the rainbow rooster organically where you let it forage for its feed.
Feeding Guide for Rainbow Roosters (Raised as Broilers)
When raising the rainbow rooster as a broiler, exclusively for meat, you will need to feed it with broiler feed. According to Indbros’ rainbow rooster performance chart, the rainbow rooster cocks will weight 1.4 kgs and the rainbow rooster hens will weigh 1.1 kgs at 6 weeks when raised of broiler feed. At 8 weeks, the hens will weigh 1.9 kgs and the cocks 2.2 kgs.
Feeding Guide for Rainbow Roosters (Raised as Layers)
When raised as layers, on layer feed, the rainbow roosters will weigh 1.6kgs for males and 1.2 kgs for females at 8 weeks. The birds will start laying at around 5 months.
Feeding Guide for Rainbow Roosters (Raised as Free Range)
When left to forage for its own feed, the rainbow rooster will weigh 1.5 kgs for makes and 1.5kgs for females at 8 weeks.
Tips on management of rainbow rooster day old chicks
Clean and disinfect the chicken house 2 weeks before arrival of the chicks.
The brooder should be ready 1 day before chicks arrive.
Warm the brooder 6 hours before arrival of chicks.
Ensure adequate drinkers and feeders are in place before arrival of chicks.
Remove the chicks from the boxes immediately they arrive.
Closely monitor the behavior of the chicks
Clean and disinfect the chicken house 2 weeks before arrival of the chicks.
The brooder should be ready 1 day before chicks arrive.
Warm the brooder 6 hours before arrival of chicks.
Rainbow roooster farming in Kenya, Why farmers are choosing this breed.
Picture of rainbow rooster at 4 months
Characteristics of Rainbow Rooster and benefits of rearing rainbow rooster.
Fast growth
The birds mature between 3-4 months and attain an average of 2 Kgs live weight. This enables a farmer to sell the birds for meat or sell the roosters and keep the hens for egg production. The hens will start laying at 5 months of age when it is 2.5 Kgs. The farmer therefore can keep 3-4 batches in a year enabling one to have predictable income.
Multicolored
The birds come in all colors i.e. black, white, and barred, crele, Red and black tailed red. Apart from beauty this will help in camouflage to avoid predators. When they are ready for market they can be sold as kienyeji hence more market for the finished product.
Benefits Camouflage from predators Aesthetics – beautiful like a rainbow Resembles kienyeji hence enjoy the same market
High Disease Resistance.
The breed is selected for diseases resistance and the parent stock at the farm undergoes a comprehensive vaccination programme that ensures that the resistance is passed on to the offspring as well as ensuring that the offspring is diseases free.
All birds are vaccinated against Marek’s on day one and we provide a vaccination programme to be followed attached on every box delivered. Our technical team is always available 24/7 to guide our farmers on biosecurity and vaccination.
Benefits
Very low mortality Low production (medication and veterinary fees) and marketing costs Attains expected growth on time High meat and egg production. Peace of mind to the farmer. Higher profit margins
Suitable for free range.
The bird has the ability to scavenge and look for food such as insects, worms and vegetation. This makes it suitable for backyard farming and the farmer can feed a reduced amount of commercial feeds and allow it to free range and only provide night shelter. This will reduce the cost of feeding and give the birds the yellow skin and yellow yolk which makes the meat and eggs tastier.
Benefits
Reduce costs of feeds Produce tastier meat and eggs Makes farming easy.
Low inputs
Due to its hardy nature the birds can be brooded with local simple equipment, the hosing can be made of locally available materials and its ability to thrive with low cost rations combined with free ranging means that input cost is reduced hence the profit margin is increased.
Benefits: Low feeding costs Low startup capital Minimal management
Suitable for high production of meat and eggs.
The bird is dual purpose meaning that the sex ratio is 1:1 .Depending on the farmers’ preference the Jogoo can be sold for meat and the hens kept for egg production. Or both sexes sold for meat at 4 months.
The hen 1st production cycle takes 8 months then 3-4 weeks of molting before another cycle
The female produces 160 – 180 eggs in the 1st cycle, thus able to produce 220 eggs in one year.
The hen does not get broody hence lays more eggs, thus no time lost on brooding hence optimized production.
Benefits. The farmer can tap in either meat market or egg market. At the end of lay the hens are sold for meat. The Jogoo is sold at 4 months and one is able to get money to either bring a new batch or sustain the hens to point of lay.
Low fat so healthy and tasty!
Due to 3-4 month growth period the meat is of medium texture and sweet to taste especially when dry fried and cooks faster than the kienyeji.
Generally chicken meat is categorized as white meat and considered healthier compared to others. It also has lower fat levels. The demand for poultry is constantly increasing hence ready market for poultry products.
Benefits High demand for poultry products Good health for the farmer and his or her clients and family
Rainbow rooster maturity
Rainbow roosters mature between 4 to 6 months. The rainbow roosters mortality rate is low (Less than 2%).
When managed as meat birds, the rainbow rooster will attain the average weight of 2kgs in 8 weeks under commercial feeds. At 8 weeks, rainbow roosters meat birds will have consumed 4.9 kgs of feed. Under scavenging conditions, the rainbow roosters growth rate is a bit slower, with the bird attaining the weight of 1.3kgs in 9 weeks. The average meat production for rainbow roosters is 3kgs for cocks and 1.9 to 2.2 kgs for hens,
Rainbow rooster egg production
When managed as a layer, with commercial feeds, rainbow roosters will lay 160-180 eggs in 72 weeks (16 months). The layers start laying at 160 days (5 months). At the end of lay the birds weight about 3kgs. The average egg weight is 60 grams. Rainbow roosters will start laying at 5 months and lay continuously for 10 months.
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