Economic Growth Kenya Project #73270

Chickens & Rabbits for a Kenyan Children's Home

by Too Little Children

Project Report | Jul 10, 2026
Our Sustainable Livestock Initiative

By Caroline Kouns | Operations Manager

Chief Protection officer

We are pleased to report steady progress in our initiative to enhance food security and provide vocational training at the children's home in Kenya. The project, aimed at establishing a sustainable source of eggs and rabbit meat, is currently transitioning from the planning phase to site preparation and team selection.

Project UpdatesInfrastructure and Security Enhancements

The safety of our livestock is a primary concern, particularly given the frequent predation by hawks. To mitigate this risk, our technical team is currently conducting a thorough site assessment to determine the optimal placement for the new infrastructure.

Coop and Hutch Design: We are finalizing plans for reinforced, predator-proof designs.
Location Strategy: The chosen site will feature a covered, heavy-duty mesh coop and run, specifically designed to provide overhead protection from avian predators while ensuring adequate ventilation and space for the animals.

Capacity Building and Stewardship

We believe that the success of this project lies in empowering the residents of the home. We are currently in the process of selecting a dedicated group of youngsters to oversee the daily operations.

Team Composition: Our youngsters will be overseen by an adult supervisor.
Training Framework: The adult supervisors will lead a mentorship program, ensuring the youngsters learn proper animal husbandry, hygiene, and the importance of consistent care. This hands-on approach aims to foster a sense of responsibility and ownership among the children.

Looking Ahead

Our immediate next steps include finalizing the site selection, procuring locally sourced, high-quality materials for the construction of the enclosures, and beginning the initial training sessions for our youth animal husbandry team.

We remain committed to creating a resilient project that not only provides nutritional support but also serves as an educational foundation for the children in our care. We thank our donors for their continued support in making this vision a reality.

Some New Recruits

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Mar 18, 2026
The First Chicks Have Hatched!

By Caroline Kouns | Operations Manager

We are excited to share the initial progress for our project at Jemo House Children’s Home. This initiative aims to bolster the home's food security and vocational training opportunities by establishing a robust, sustainable poultry and rabbit rearing program. By transitioning from a small-scale hobbyist approach to a professional setup, we aim to provide consistent protein for the children and a source of potential income for the home.

Current Challenges & Strategic Planning

While we currently maintain a very small chicken coop, our efforts have faced significant hurdles that this project is designed to solve:

Predation: Our current chickens free-range during the day. However, heavy hawk activity in the area has resulted in a devastatingly low survival rate for young and adolescent chicks.
Infrastructure Constraints: The existing coop is insufficient for growth and does not provide the protection needed for vulnerable livestock.

Site Development & Solutions

We have identified a new, optimal location on the property for the expanded facility. Our plan includes the construction of a large, secure coop and a substantial enclosed run. This "predator-proof" design will allow the birds to move freely while staying safe from aerial threats.

Addressing Environmental Factors: The selected site offers excellent shade to prevent heat stress, but it presented a drainage challenge. An unofficial channel currently directs greywater from the washroom sinks and showers through this area.

To ensure a hygienic environment for the animals and prevent soil erosion, our immediate next step is the construction of a soak pit. This system will:

Redirect and manage the greywater effectively.
Keep the livestock area dry and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.
Prepare the ground for the foundation of the new enclosures.

Next Steps

With the site layout finalized, our focus for the coming month is the excavation of the soak pit and the procurement of high-quality timber and wire mesh for the main construction phase. Once the environment is stabilized, we will begin the transition of our current flock and the introduction of our new rabbits.

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