The Harvest Money Expo 2025 was attended by over 20,000 people including 220 exhibitors among them, Doris Kairu who resigned from an office job to rear ducks.
She runs Bukonte farm and cottage which sits on 20 acres in Kayunga district.
The expo happened from February 14-16 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Meanwhile, Kairu had two big cages with ducks.
She says these birds are a gold mine and they are easy to rear in terms of feeding and deworming.
Their multiplication (fertility) rate is also high since one female can lay up to 20 eggs and hatch them. In less than four years, Kairu had accumulated over 350 birds with each going for sh35,000 upwards. She sells to homes and hotels.
How to care for ducks
Kairu says ducks are known to be ‘dirty’ birds because they poo anywhere and they never care for their babies (ducklings) hence endangering them.
“A duck can hatch 18 ducklings but only four or less will survive, which is a big loss to the farmer,” she says.
Besides, these birds thrive where there is water and space. They love flying and spreading out their wings. Therefore, confining them in a small space affects them.
To overcome all those challenges, Kairu advises rearing ducks on a free-range system. Allow them to move and fly freely. Also, provide a small pool or pond where they can swim and lay more eggs.
“The droppings can irritate but they also depend on what you feed the birds on. Don’t allow them to eat in dirty places lest they get diarrhoea like droppings which also stink,” she says adding that: “I feed mine on maize bran and food remains. Always deworm them as well.”
You also have to protect the ducklings from harm by enclosing them in a fence, she adds.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Doris Kairu, an exhibitor at Harvest Money Expo standing at her stall.
