How to Start a Profitable Poultry Farm in Nigeria| 6 Easy Steps

You need the right knowledge to start a profitable poultry farm in Nigeria. Yes, the poultry farm business is very profitable in Nigeria as the demand for poultry products is constantly on the rise. The population growth in Nigeria has contributed to this rise.

Many individuals and households have gone into poultry farming in Nigeria. This is because It requires a little capital to start especially when you want to start small. However, not many remain in business after a year and knowledge gap is mostly responsible for this failure.

This comprehensive blog article will explore all you need to start a profitable poultry farm business in Nigeria.

Key Takeaways

• Thorough planning is essential before starting a poultry farm in Nigeria, 
• Quality infrastructure, feeding, and medication make for healthy birds and greater returns. These will help you effectively start a profitable poultry farm business in Nigeria.
• Collaborate with other businesses and organizations to enhance your operations and access new opportunities.

How Much Money Do I Need to Start A Profitable Poultry Farm in Nigeria?

The answer to this question largely depends on the size of the poultry farm you wish to start. Other factors that directly and significantly affect your startup capital are the breed of poultry you choose, and the location of your farm.

Another factor that would determine the amount you spend when you want to start a profitable poultry farm in Nigeria is the availability of land. Having the space you need will save you some cost.

A small-scale poultry farm will cost you anywhere between ₦1.5 million naira to ₦3 million naira. It could cost more when you factor in all the feed your birds will need from start to maturity.

Here is a breakdown of some of the costs you will need to consider when you want to start a profitable poultry farm:

1. Land

If you have this available, your startup capital will be significantly reduced. Given the current economic trend which has adversely affected the price of land, you’ll be looking to spend between ₦500,000 to ₦3 million naira on land alone. This largely depends on the location and size of the land and on whether you want to buy, rent, or lease.

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2. Poultry House

The cost of building a poultry house will depend on the size and materials used. You can expect to pay anywhere from ₦500,000 to ₦2 million naira for a poultry house. This cost could be more if you’re looking to build a larger poultry house.

The number of birds you wish to start with would determine the size of the poultry house you’ll build and the cost you’ll incur.

3. Birds

The cost of poultry will depend on the breed and age of the birds.  The cost of chicks may vary depending on species and number. However, as of September 2024, you can get chicks within the range of ₦150 to ₦200 per one. 

4. Feed

The feed cost will depend on the type of feed you use and the number of birds you have. As you prepare to start a profitable poultry farm, one thing you should note is that feed costs are not stable. This means that you may not be able to exactly say how much you’ll be spending on feed for a particular duration.

However, for your small-scale poultry farm, you can expect to spend anywhere from ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 per month for feed.

5. Equipment

To start a profitable poultry farm, you must invest in the right equipment. Just like other factors mentioned above, the cost of equipment will depend on the size of your farm and the type of equipment you need. 

Feeders and drinkers are essential for providing food and water to the birds. Lighting systems are important for regulating the birds’ sleep-wake cycles and encouraging egg production. These costs can range from ₦100,000 to ₦500,000.

6. Labor

The cost of labor will depend on the size of your farm and the wages you pay your workers. The number of workers you have is also a determining factor. You may spend up to ₦200,000 per month for labor if you have 5 or more workers.

In addition, you may also need to invest in marketing and advertising to promote your poultry farm.

Which Poultry Farming System is the Best?

There are essentially three poultry farming systems, the intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive systems. You can choose any one of them for your poultry farm. Let’s have a look at the three of them:

1. Intensive (Cage) System

This system is the most expensive of the three. It requires birds to stay in carefully constructed cages usually in tiers with feeding troughs and drinkers fitted on the outside of the cage. Each bird has a spacing of about 0.2 square meters.

The intensive cage system encourages high yield (about the highest of the three systems), reduces incidences of theft or predator attacks, and controls disease spread.

2. Semi-Intensive System

This system is otherwise referred to as the floor system. In this system of poultry farming, birds are allowed shelter as well as an outdoor grazing area.

The semi-intensive system of poultry farming is less expensive than the intensive system. Birds in this system roam freely during the day and are kept in a shelter as the day winds up.

3. Extensive System

This is often referred to as the grazing system. It is the least expensive of the three systems of poultry farming.

In this system, birds are allowed to roam about naturally in an environment free of harmful objects. They graze within this environment and interact just like in the natural setting.

This doesn’t give as much yield as the previous two but it is the closest to naturally bred birds.

The best poultry farming system to adopt is dependent on your choice and preferences. If you have the resources, you can adopt the intensive system to start a profitable poultry farm. This will give you a higher yield and reduce health concerns.

How to Start A Profitable Poultry Farm in Nigeria

If you want to start a profitable poultry farm in Nigeria, you should consider all aspects involved. From choosing your birds to marketing your business, every step must be wisely considered.

Here are steps to follow when you want to start a profitable poultry business in Nigeria;

1. Choose The Type Of Poultry Bird To Rear

Have a clear picture of the kind of birds you want in your poultry farm. This is where knowledge comes in. You must be aware of the different kinds of poultry birds that exist and their different functions. If you want birds that lay a lot of eggs, you go for them. If you’re rearing for meat, broilers would be best for you. 

Here are the major breeds that are common in Nigeria today;

1. Broilers

These are young males and females raised for meat. If you want to start a profitable poultry farm in Nigeria based on meat production, broilers are your best bet. 

They grow from a weight of 40g to approximately 1.5 to 2 kg within 6 weeks only with the right quality and quantity of feed.

2. Layers

If you want to run your poultry for commercial egg production, consider getting layers. These are hens used for commercial egg production and then killed for meat. Consider a two-in-one package. 

Layers are raised from one day old. They start laying eggs at 18-19 weeks and continue until they are 72-78 weeks of age. During this time, they are referred to as old layers. When their egg production cycle ends, they can be sold for meat.

3. Cockerels

Cockerels are bred for meat just like the broilers. There’s a special market demand for cockerels because of the quality of meat they produce. However, they grow slower than broilers and so take a longer time to mature. A good quality of cockerels is that they can survive in many environments.

2. Choose the Right Location

Ensure that the location you’re choosing is suitable for the kind of birds you want to rear. this is key when you want to start a profitable poultry farm in Nigeria. Your location should have the following characteristics:

• Adequate water supply: 

Poultry requires a constant supply of fresh water for drinking and cleaning. Poor water supply may lead to low yield and unhealthy birds.

• Good drainage: 

Your poultry house should be located on dry land with a good drainage system. This will help prevent diseases.

• Proximity to markets

Since you’re starting your poultry far with the purpose of making a profit, consider proximity to the market. Your farm should be located near markets where you can sell your poultry products.

• Accessibility

This is very important when citing your farm. Your farm should be easily accessible to customers and suppliers.

3. Build Your Poultry House

Housing is the next important factor after getting a farm site. A properly built poultry house is necessary for the protection of your birds. 

Ensure that your poultry house is built to allow space for free movement. The Housing system you choose will depend on the poultry breeds and farming system you employ.  The house should also be well-ventilated and have a good source of light

See also: !0 Ways to Start A Poultry Business in Nigeria

4. Obtain the Necessary Permits

If you’re looking to start a profitable poultry farm in Nigeria on a large scale, you should ensure you get the necessary licenses and permits. These permits may include a business license, an environmental impact assessment, and a poultry farm registration certificate.

5. Feed and Treat Your Birds

When you start a profitable poultry farm targeted at commercial poultry production, highly nutritious food is a must. Ensure you get only the best quality feeds for your birds.

Make their health your priority. Diseases spread fast in poultry farms, this is why you must give proper medication to your birds. Quality and neat feeds keep the bird healthy always and very productive. 

Consider hiring the services of a veterinary doctor for proper vaccination and treatment. Also, learn to use some routine medications and vaccinations to keep your birds healthy. 

6. Market Your Poultry Products

Once you have started your poultry farm, you will need to develop a marketing plan to sell your products. You can sell your poultry products to local markets, restaurants, and grocery stores. You can also sell your products online or directly to consumers.

Conclusion

Poultry farming is a lucrative business in Nigeria and the world over. It is one of the most important production systems in the world. To start a profitable poultry farm in Nigeria, digest the knowledge shared in this article. You’ll never go wrong with the right information.

FAQs

References

• Types of Poultry Farming Sytems
• 10 ways to start a poultry farm in Nigeria
• Poultry birds that lay the most eggs
• The best birds for your poultry farm