Are you thinking about starting your own village chicken farm? Here are some common questions first-timers ask:

1. Can my hens lay eggs without a cock?
Yes, hens can lay unfertilized eggs. The key to egg laying is their diet, not the presence of a cock. However, if you want fertilized eggs for hatching, you'll need a cock. The recommended ratio is 1 cock for every 10 hens.

2. Can I feed my chickens maize bran (gaga) only?
Feeding chickens maize bran alone is like eating plain nshima without relish. Chickens need a balanced diet, not just carbohydrates and fiber. They require proteins and other nutrients to grow healthy, just like humans do.

3. So, what can I feed my chickens?
You can make your own simple feed. The main component is maize meal (meal size 3) or maize bran (gaga), supplemented with one or more of the following: broiler concentrate, sunflower or sunflower cake, soya beans, or fish meal.

4. Where can I get the components mentioned in answer number 3?
- Broiler concentrate: Available in feed stores.
- Sunflower cake: Can be bought from local cooking oil producers.
- Soya beans: Obtainable from nearby farmers.
- Fish meal: Found in markets where dry fish is sold.

Note: If you're starting with a small number of chickens, around 20, consider buying fish meal, soya beans, or sunflower. Broiler concentrate may be too expensive.