Poultry Farmers Seek More Day-Old Chick Hatcheries as Prices Rise

Poultry farmers in Nigeria are calling for increased production of day-old chicks to improve supply and reduce prices, which have risen sharply in recent months.

The Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma Africa, Adeoluwa Adeshola, made the call during an interview in Abuja, blaming limited parent stock production capacity for the shortage and rising costs.

Adeshola urged federal and state governments, alongside private investors, to establish more production facilities and increase competition in the market. He said the dominance of a few companies in parent stock production had contributed to the supply gap.

Day-old chicks now sell for between 1,800 and 2,100 naira per bird, up from 1,300 to 1,500 naira recorded two to three months ago.

A poultry farmer, Rose Ibe, attributed part of the increase to higher demand ahead of the festive season, when chicken sales typically rise.

Another farmer, Andrew Tersor, said the rising cost had forced him to reduce his usual stock of 150 to 200 birds by half.

Tersor called for hatcheries to be established across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, saying local production would improve access to chicks, reduce transportation challenges and help lower prices.