Factors Affecting the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Scale Chicken Farming Enterprises in Eldoret South Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The paper was to examine the factors affecting financial performance of small and medium scale chicken farming enterprises in Eldoret South Sub-County, Kenya. Descriptive research was used to answer the research questions on the current status of the subject of the study and in reference to the objectives of the study. The target population under the study was small scale chicken farming enterprise in Eldoret South Sub-County, Kenya while the accessible population was the list of 154 small scale chicken farming enterprises in Eldoret South Sub-County, Kenya. The study based its sample on 45 test units. Questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the respondents. The data was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed and presented as frequency and percentages tables. The study findings were able to show that marketing was ranked as number one challenge facing chicken farmers in the area. The major factor affecting marketing is the low buying prices being offered by traders in the local markets. Opportunities identified in this research from the respondent were; exploring and promoting strategies for increasing the growth rate and mature size of the poultry, crossbreeding with exotic breed and upgrading the local chickens by using selected indigenous types. There was need to evaluate and modify both the local traditional knowledge and foreign mechanism with the aim of developing appropriate strategies for improving chicken production in Eldoret South sub county Kenya. The way forward is to mobilize all stakeholders involved in promoting chicken production consumption and marketing in the county to plan the way forward.