A student carries a cock to feel its weight during the 2016 Kisii ASK Show.

While other people were sharing Merry Christmas and happy New Year messages on Whatsapp, Eunuke Omambia used the opportunity to make money by sending photos of her ready to slaughter chickens to friends and workmates.

Ms Ombamia, who heads the Kisii County Early Childhood section in the Education Department, shared the images of the chickens with colleagues through Whatsapp accounts as well as office groups.

Unlike previos years when she relied on people to visit her home or taking the chicken to the Daraja Mbili for sale, she received orders online and made deliveries after negotiations.

The county office group has 70 members. Other external contact on Whatsapp amounted to 45.

At the start of December 2016, the farmer had 400 improved kienyeji and 330 local chickens.  Although she sold a few early in the month, she reached the apex after December 15.

By January 7, 2017, she had sold 330 chickens, making a gross income of Sh230,000.

 “The cost varied abased on the weight. But the range was from Sh600 to Sh800. Much of the selling took place online. If one could not buy, they referred someone else to me. After negotiations, I could make arrangements for deliveries,” she said.

Ms Omambia said the group made his work easier than previous years when she used to hawk the chicken through the streets o Kisii town and Daranja Mbili Open Air Market.

The farmer started rearing chicken after secondary school, back in 1997. She started off with 13 local breeds.

She is rearing the chicken on free-range, whre she has fenced off part of her farm with a wire mesh. Besides controlling them from straying or being attacked by predators, Ms Ombambia has managed to control interaction with neighbour’s chickens, which at at times increase chances of diseases.

“I am pleased that I use Sh500 monthly to buy drugs for my chickens for vaccination. Vaccination is key in preventing diseases in case of outbreaks. But again, the breeds are tolerant to harsh climate and diseases,” she said.

Besides meat, the kuroiler and kenbro breeds also lay eggs. She chose on the two because they are dual-type, they are kept for meat and eggs. They can survive in hash climate and also reared organically.

She collects about 220 eggs per week because of the varied ages of the chicken.