The Farming Diaries

Rabbits may look soft and cuddly, but beyond their cute appearance lies an incredible opportunity for profit, sustainability, and self-sufficiency. Whether you’re a backyard farmer, a homesteader, or someone looking to start a small agribusiness, raising rabbits is one of the best livestock projects you can begin with minimal space, low cost, and manageable effort. In this comprehensive beginner’s guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know to start and succeed in rabbit farming, from setting up your rabbitry to feeding, breeding, health care, marketing, and turning your efforts into profit. 🐰 Why Raise Rabbits? Before diving into how to raise rabbits, let’s take a look at why rabbit farming is such an attractive project: ✅ Low Maintenance Rabbits require minimal daily care compared to chickens, goats, or cows. They don’t need grazing land, are quiet, and don’t demand constant attention. ✅ High Reproductive Rate A single female rabbit (doe) can produce 6 to 8 kits (babies) ev...

Raising kienyeji chicks —our hardy, traditional indigenous chicken—is one of the most rewarding experiences for any poultry farmer. These chickens are known for their resilience, rich taste, and ability to thrive in free-range or semi-intensive systems. However, their success starts in the earliest stages of life: from the moment they hatch to 3 months of age . This article will guide you step by step on how to care for your kienyeji chicks, whether you're using a mother hen for brooding or artificial methods. Proper early care reduces chick mortality and ensures healthy, strong birds ready for laying or meat production. 🐥 The First 72 Hours (Day 1 to Day 3) The first three days of a chick’s life are critical. This is when the chick adjusts from the protected egg environment to the outside world. A. If Using a Mother Hen The mother hen naturally provides warmth, protection, and guidance. ✅ What to Do: Place hen and chicks in a clean brooding area —away from cold, wind, and pred...

Keeping chickens is not just about collecting eggs or raising meat—it’s also about ensuring the well-being of your birds . A happy, stress-free chicken is a healthy, productive chicken. When chickens are content, they lay more eggs, grow faster, and are less prone to disease. On the other hand, stressed chickens can become sick, aggressive, and even stop laying altogether. In this article, we’ll explore practical, easy-to-follow tips to help you keep your flock calm, happy, and thriving, whether you're keeping layers, broilers, or kienyeji chickens. 🧠 Why Chicken Happiness Matters Chickens, like all animals, respond to their environment. When they’re stressed by overcrowding, hunger, heat, noise, or predators, their bodies release stress hormones that negatively affect their health and productivity. Effects of Stress in Chickens: Drop in egg production Poor growth rate in broilers Feather pecking and cannibalism Increased disease outbreaks Weak immunity and slow re...