HOW TO START UP A BROILER BIRDS BUSINESS IN NIGERIA (DETAILED GUIDE)

HOW TO START UP A BROILER BIRDS BUSINESS IN NIGERIA (DETAILED GUIDE) – ZIGIHOW.COM.NG

Broiler birds farming is a very serious and lucrative business in Nigeria and all over the world. Broiler chicken is massively consumed everyday in Nigeria, this has made it a very demanding commodity which has made lots of entrepreneurs to venture into broiler birds business in Nigeria.

Broiler birds are mostly reared for meat production. Infact in Nigeria the main reason why farmers rear broiler birds is mainly because of it’s fast growth and weight gain for the main purpose of meat production for sales and consumption.

Broiler birds business in Nigeria has really became successful over the years, especially it’s ability to grow fast and gain weight, makes it one of it’s advantage why many farmers venture into broiler birds business.

Starting a broiler birds business in Nigeria is very lucrative because of it’s high demand in the market. The annual consumption of chickens in Nigeria is conservatively estimated by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) to be 1.5 million tonnes.

You can imagine how lucrative broiler birds business in Nigeria is. Especially during the festive season period (Xmas, New Year, Easter Sunday). Millions of Nigerians also consumes tonnes of broiler chicken on Sundays.

What Are The Best Breeds Of Broiler Birds To Rear?

While you think of starting broiler birds business, you need to know the best breeds, to ensure a successful business and make a good income at the same time.

6 Best Breed of Broiler Birds in Nigeria

Cornish Cross Broilers.

It is a fast-growing kind of chicken. You may also recognize it by the name “Cornish Rock.” To grow such a broiler bird it will take you from six to eight weeks.

Grinphield Marshall.

It usually takes approximately 6-8 weeks for a broiler chick to grow up to the “table size.” These birds are big and tall.

Moyer’s K-22 (also called Red Broilers)

Consumers appreciate these broiler birds for the features of their meat. It is less fatty, has a special fragrant, and excellent texture. However, to grow such a bird will take the farmer a bit longer – approximately eight weeks.

Red Broilers.

The Broiler Birds of this kind also grows up a bit slower. However, the primary advantage of these birds is their strong resistance to diseases, what makes them more appropriate for outdoor production.

Roaster Chicks (also called Moyer’s Broiler or Cornish Giants).

These type of broiler birds can reach the weight of over 4 lbs by 6 weeks of age. Their skin texture is good, while breast meat is tender.

Rosambro Broilers. 

These broiler birds belong to a medium-growth kind. However, they grow a bit faster than the red broilers. The unique taste also characterizes their meat.

Why Is Broiler Birds Business In Nigeria So Lucrative And Profitable?

• The choice of white meat over red meat makes the demand for broiler birds and other poultry products a choice of business for many people.

• Who doesn’t eat broiler chickens and other poultry products? One of the major reason why broiler birds business booms in Nigeria is due to it’s high demand, because even the young, old, rich and poor eats broiler chicken and other poultry products.

• Broiler birds business has massive Quick return on investment, Investing in a day old chick, in forty five days has the potential to bring in high profit.

• The initial capital is low compared with some other investments. With as little as ₦50,000, you can start with about 100 day old chicks and in less than two months, you are selling fully grown chickens.

What Are The Downsides Of Broiler Birds Business In Nigeria?

• However the downside of poultry farming you must be aware of include:

• The poultry farm may experience disease outbreak. If the disease is not controlled quickly it may be disastrous. Ensure to vaccinate your birds and always keep poultry farm clean.

• The feeds may be of low quality which may lead to malnutrition of the birds

Things You Should Know Before Starting Up A Broiler Birds Business In Nigeria.

Before starting up your broiler birds business in Nigeria, there are some things you need to know to ensure a successful business.

1. Security.

Before Starting up your broiler birds business ensure that your chosen location is well secured. Location really matters alot.

Ensure your chosen location isn’t Obscure. Try as much as you can to chose an open location, or you can as well set up a location for your broiler birds around your vicinity. Maybe at your backyard.

The reason for this is because, if your farm is sited in a closed and remote place, and people feel that no one is watching, they may attempt to steal your birds, which will be a very terrible loss to you business.

2. Protect Your Farm From Predators.

This is very important. Predators like Snakes and monitor lizards, could feast on your birds or cause harm or injuries to them ensure to secure your farm house.

In an article I wrote on how to keep snakes off from your homes. I explained how to keep off snakes from poultry farm and yard in general.

Protect your birds farm by wrapping the entire cage in hardware cloth (including the floor). Make sure no large space or spot is left out.

Always keep the poultry door closed at all times, to prevent easy entry of snakes into the farm house.

Also ensure to repair or replace any damages such as hardware cloth, boards or roofing materials to prevent any easy entries of creepy reptiles such as snakes and monitor lizards.

You can also grow snake repellent plants and flowers around your poultry farm to keep snakes away.

3. Land mass.

Ensure your poultry farm has enough space for the birds. Broiler birds loves space and loves to move around freely.

Ensure the farm house isn’t stuffy for the brids. Because a stuffy environment can cause dehydration for your birds and possibly lead to death due to lack of fresh air or ventilation.

4. Good knowledge Of Running A Poultry Farm.

Its very important you acquire trainings before starting up your broiler birds business. Broiler birds are fragile and needs adequate time and care.

Seek training from professionals, ask them questions, pay to attend tutorial classes and watch YouTube videos on broiler farm business.

5. Ensure Proper Storage System.

A proper storage system should be constructed even before starting up your broiler birds business. Broiler birds business needs a storage house or warehouse where broiler feeds will be stored in a cool dry place.

6. Steady Supply Of Water.

Do you know that broiler birds drinks water alot? Infact they can’t do without water for an hour. Typically though, a mature chicken will drink approximately 5 liters of water each day in temperate weather, even as much as a 1 full liter in warmer weather

The absence of water can cause massive deaths due to dehydration. My mum runs a broiler poultry business, I could remember a day when she forgot to refill their drinkers, she nearly lost all her birds.

Absence of water for your broiler birds can cost you alot. Always ensure water is always available in their drinkers.

7. Feed Your Birds Well

Feeds play a vital role in poultry farming and its the major cost of poultry production which affects the production output of the birds. Improper feeding causes several deficiency diseases which result in poor production performance.

Also make sure the feed have all the required nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, protein, minerals and vitamins) in the right proportion for better growth of the birds.

What Type Of Poultry Feeds Should I Use For My Broiler Birds?

A well fed broiler bird determines a good sale. Feeds are administered to poultry birds according to their ages. Below is a guide on feeds to use for your broiler birds

Age of Chicks Feed type

0-10 days – Pre-starter feed

11-21 days – Starter feed

22 days – Finisher feed.

What Do I Need To Start Up A Broiler Birds Business In Nigeria?

1. A Poultry Farm House.

So many Nigeria poultry farmers has their farm located at their backyard. Raising broilers can be done commercially in a backyard space of about half a plot of land.

Note: Day old broilers chicks are raised in an enclosed place called brooding house for about two weeks, ensure to keep the temperature warm by using either electric bulbs, gas or charcoal burners. Day old broiler chicks needs warmth at that stage, therefore you need to install heaters to keep the temperature warm.

You can use the deep litter system style of raising broiler birds (most farmers uses this method). By building a house for your broiler birds. A half plot of land will do just fine.
Fill in the poultry farm with sawdust and the chicks can move around freely within the enclosure.

In a deep litter system, which most broiler farmers use at the growing stage, the birds are raised on a concrete floor laid with wood savings and saw dust.

The deep litter system can be done at the backyard, for this system reduces the offensive odour associated with the cage system.

Space requirement per broiler bird is one square foot per bird. For example, a floor measuring 50 feet x 50 feet would accommodate 2,500 birds at maturity (six to eight weeks old).

Note: The sawdust must be changed frequently in order to keep the chicks safe from disease. It’s important to regularly keep your poultry farm clean, by frequently changing the sawdust to avoid the birds picking up dirts which can get them infected, causing infection and diseases.

You can also use the battery caging system, whereby the birds are kept or housed in different cages sizes. In this battery caging system, there is always provisions for the feeding of the birds, laying of eggs and dropping by the birds.

group of birds are housed in a separate cage that it gives the birds freedom of association but it could be more expensive.

Whatever poultry farm structure style you choose be it the battery caging system or the deep litter system, ensure that large and enough space is provided to give the birds freedom and good ventilation.

Some farmers prefer the free roaming system. Here the chicks are given the freedom to roam about and fend for themselves. It is highly not recommended since you do not have control of the birds.

The most recommended style of raising broiler birds are deep litter system and battery caging system.

2. Provide Feeding and Drinking Equipments.

In running a broiler birds business in Nigeria, you need to purchase feeding and drinking equipment for your broiler birds.

Equipments Such As:

Drinkers

This is an equipment that is used to store water for the birds. It supplies the birds with water.

Broilers can’t survive without water for too long, it’s important you ensure water is always available in their drinkers. Check their water level on regular basis.

Ensure to provide enough drinkers for the birds to avoid them over crowding the drinkers in struggle to sip water.

Feeders

An Equipment used to administer feeds to the birds. This equipment is normally used if you run a deep litter system. Because battery cage system already has a provision for that.

Ensure to provide enough feeders to avoid the birds struggling for food.

3. Feeds.

Feeds are food for the birds, which take the highest percentage of the cost of production,

Feeds play a vital role in poultry farming and is the major cost of poultry production which affects the production output of the birds. Improper feeding causes several deficiency diseases which result in poor production performance.

Broilers feeds are categorized into three stages. They are pre-starter, starter and finisher feeds, with different nutritional formulations.

Day-old chicks to age 10 days are given pre-starter feeds; chicks are given starter feeds from day 11 to 21 and from 21 days old to table size, chicks are fed with finisher feeds.

What Should Be My Budget For Starting A Broiler Birds Business In Nigeria?

No business will survive if there was no proper planning. You have to see how many investments your poultry farm will need: purchasing chicks, feeds, equipments, money paid as a salary for workers on your farm (if you have any) and medical care.

I know how difficult coming up with a business budget is. Therefore I’m going to do my very best to give an estimate budget to start up a broiler birds business In Nigeria.

How Much Does A Carton Of Broiler Chicks Cost?

A carton of broiler contains 50 chicks, sometimes 51 depending.

The price of a carton of broiler birds fluctuates, which means it doesn’t really have a fixed price. The price usually rises close to festive season or during season.

A carton of broiler costs, ₦8,500 – ₦10,000 during non festive period. But can rise to ₦15,000 – ₦18,000 during festive period.

How Much Does The Poultry Feeding & Drinking Equipments Cost?.

A bag of pre-starter feed costs: ₦8,000 – ₦9,000
A bag of starter feed costs: ₦3,500 – ₦4,000
A bag of finisher feed costs: ₦3,500 – ₦4,000

Drinkers cost: ₦500 – ₦700

Feeder cost: ₦700 – ₦800

Your total budget all depends on the number of Broiler chicks and equipments you would like to purchase. If your budget is not bouyant enough. You can start on a low scale with time you’ll surely grow your way up.

Broiler birds business in Nigeria is very lucrative and you’ll start earning your profit as soon as 3 months.

READ: HOW TO START UP A SUCCESSFUL GOAT FARMING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

What’s The Best Broiler Feeds In Nigeria?

In Nigeria the best feed for broiler birds are

• Livestock feed
• Vital feed
• Hybrid feed

Why are they the best?

They are the best because of:

• The nutrients they offer, (rich in nutrients).
• Their lack of toxic or anti-nutritional factor
• Their affordability.

Some farmer prefer making their own feed, because they believe it allows them give their birds the best at cheaper price. But you have to ensure you know the right formula before formulating broiler feeds yourself. You want to make your own feed for your birds? We gat you covered. You can read how to manufacture high quality poultry feeds at home for both broilers & layers.

How Do I Sell My Broiler Birds When Matured?

This is the last stage if this business, when your broiler birds must have matured after 4-6 months, they are due for sale.

You can take them to a busy open market nearest to you. Or you can also supply chickens to eateries, hotels, school hostels, and offices.

You’ll sell massively if it’s festive season, (Xmas, New year, Easter Sunday).
Nigerians also buys broilers chicken mostly on Sundays for Sunday rice.

If you want to take your business to the next level, you can sell your matured broiler birds online. The best place to search for buyers is online market square. There are some online platforms in Nigeria that connects both buyers and sellers together to exchange their agro animals for money a nd vice-versa. Some of them include.

• nigeria.tradeford.com
• www.agromarket.ng
• importer.tradekey.com
• www.go4worldbusiness.com

How Much Can I Sell My Broiler Birds?

There are three ways you can sell your broiler birds.

• Sell at 4 week old
• Sell when matured
• Slaughter and sell

1. Sell at 4 week old

There are some people who do not want to go through the stress of brooding broilers from a day old till maturity. However they are ready to raise them after they must have grown feathers. As a broiler farmer, you can target this group of people and sell to them. All you need to do is to raise your broiler chicks from a day old to 3 weeks old, depending on what your market wants. Broilers in this categories are sold at the rate of ₦600 – ₦700 (2$) in Nigeria.

2. Sell when matured

This is the most common practice in Nigeria. Many poultry farmers prefers to raise their broilers till 6 weeks or more and start selling to the consumers. Here, they get higher profit selling at matured age than selling at 3-4 weeks old.

The period when there are higher sales is the festive periods such as Christmas (Xmas), Easter Sunday, New year celebration period. Normally a well matured big Broiler (6 months old) costs around ₦4,000 – ₦5,000. 3 months old broilers may cost around ₦2,500 – ₦3,000.

It all depends on how big your broilers are, and the location of the market. If you are selling at a reasonable price and your broilers are attractive enough, then consumers will patronize you.

3. Slaughter and sell

Apart from selling your broilers when they are young or mature, you can slaughter, dress and package them for the consumers. There are a lot of people who are afraid to slaughter live animals like chickens, and some do not have the time to dress chickens. You just do this for them and sell the dressed meat to the final consumers.

This is where frozen broiler chicken comes in. Doing this requires experience, hygienic practices, and government approval. That is to say, it is a venture that is quite expensive. However, if you have the money, you can go ahead with it.

Medical Care

Vaccination

Vaccination is an effective means to prevent and/or reduce the adverse effects of specific diseases that can cause problems in a poultry flock.

Ensure your day old broiler chicks are vaccinated after hatch, to immunize them against diseases like; Newcastle disease, marek’s disease, lnfectious bronchitis, lnfectious laryngotracheitis, fowl pox, and fowl cholera,

Tips breeders of poultry should know when vaccinating:

• Always follow the instructions on the label, including storage conditions

• Use disposable syringes and needles

• Discard all unused vaccines, syringes and needles in a proper manner

• Be clean, but never use detergents or disinfectants near vaccination equipment. Do not disinfect skin before vaccinating with fowl pox or Marek’s HVT vaccine, as this will kill the vaccine virus

• Do not vaccinate sick birds (except in outbreaks of laryngotracheitis or fowl pox).

• Protect vaccines from heat and direct sunlight.

• Most vaccines are living, disease-producing agents. Handle them with care.

Parasite control

Birds that are housed on the floor and have access to pastures and outdoor areas will have greater exposure to internal and external parasites. For birds housed in these conditions, it is important to have a prevention program in place and treat as required. This helps to minimise physical stress and keep birds in good condition so they can resist disease. Control parasites by:

• Regularly inspecting birds for external parasites

• Spraying or dusting birds thoroughly with an approved insecticide if you can see lice or mites – spray the shed, perches and nests thoroughly, making sure the insecticide gets into crevices

• Cleaning sheds and rotating ranges to prevent worms

• Regularly checking faecal material for any sign of worms

• Always checking the label on worming treatments for withholding periods as some are not suitable for production birds

• Consulting a veterinarian.

Remove sick birds

Regularly observe your birds for any signs of ill health or problems within the flock such as feather pecking.

Ensure to remove sick birds from the main flock and obtain a diagnosis from a qualified person. Sick birds usually appear different to healthy birds. You can give the correct treatment once you identify the disease or problem. Keep ill birds quarantined from the flock until completely recovered. If medication is given, it is important to adhere to any withholding periods.

In Conclusion.

Broilers bird business is very profitable and yeild returns are soon as 3-6 months. Ensure to Feed them well, ensure water is always in their drinkers (they drink water alot). And also ensure to vaccinate them to keep them immune and resistant to infectious diseases. And lastly you need to have patience. I believe this article has all the answers you have on how to start up broiler birds business in Nigeria. But, if there is some items you can’t find in the article, feel free to ask questions in the comment section. We’ll reply you as soon as possible.

READ: HOW TO START A FISH FARMING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA (DETAILED GUIDE)