Nicholas Ochiko has a hen which was hatched in March 2015 alongside five others.
“The other five were normal with full feathers. But this one had little feathers around its neck, head and wings. Those on the neck and part of the wings have withered off,” said Ochiko
It started laying eggs in September 2015. We keenly observed to see the type of chicks it would hatch. They came out normal chicks with feathers despite their mother remaining without feathers” he added
The hen has hatched twice and is in the third phase of laying eggs. Lilian Andeso, wife to Nicholas revealed that the hen normally lays eight eggs.
However, Mumias sub-county livestock development officer Antony Mwangi said it was normal to have such a hen.
“The gene coding for feathers was suppressed genetically leading to hormonal deficiency. It is acceptable and should not be associated with witchcraft or any other abnormality,” said Mwangi.