How to start up a successful poultry farm in Nigeria

With the current unemployment rate in Nigeria, it is however advised that individuals venture into building and creating opportunities for others and themselves.

Each passing year, you meet a lot of graduates on the street who are probably tired of carrying their credentials from one organization to another in search for a job. Most of these people looking for jobs are graduates with first class results but after graduation they are left to struggle on their own which supposed not to be so. 

6 types of Poultry productions and it’s managements

The truth is not everyone will get that dream job, it’s not a bad wish or anything. It’s just a clear obvious fact. There are million others with better qualities for the same position, so you see, the chances are slim. The best thing you can do for yourself is to build a business for you that will thrive over time which in return will create wealth for you and also contribute to the economy growth of Nigeria.

This article is targeted at exposing you on how you can start up a successful poultry farm in Nigeria. Mind you, there are many successful start up business out there but this article is solely on poultry farm.

First off, we need to know what poultry farming is all about. How to start up a successful poultry farm in Nigeria

What is poultry farming?

According to Wikipedia. Poultry farming is the form of animal husbandry which raises domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese to produce meats or eggs for foods.

Starting up a poultry farm in Nigeria is not cost intensive, it requires a little amount of capital which will span into a multi-million business if it’s been managed properly. You will agree with me that everyday people cannot do without the proceeds from poultry farms.

So as a newbie wanting to get on to this line of business, here are some few things you should know when you want to start up a poultry farm. Here are five things to consider;

Draw the Business Plan

You know that a business plan is a written document describing a company’s core business activities, objectives and how they plan to achieve the goal of the business. So you will need to make one. Write out your business goals, what you plan on achieving in a few years’ time and how you are going to achieve them. As time goes by you will get to modify the business plan as you progress and expand in the business. How to start up a successful poultry farm in Nigeria

Look for a Suitable Location for the Birds  

The location of the farm is another important thing to consider when starting up a poultry farm. You should consider getting a large piece of land preferably away from town where there is noise and disturbances. The birds should be placed in a quiet environment and away also from pollution.

You should also ensure that in the preferred site there should be provision of some basic amenities like water. And also not too close to the forest where you have predators that can threaten and even kill the birds. Predators like snakes can cause harm to the birds. You should also consider a site that is road accessible so your products are not affected and that they can be transported easily.

Build Up a Good Shelter for the Birds

This is another thing to consider after you have a space to raise the birds, you will need to build a comfortable house for the birds. A place where the birds can mate easily and where eggs they lay are not affected or damaged. You should also note that the shelter is to be built based on the type of birds you are breeding. So when building the shelter take these things to note. A space where the birds can move freely and where direct contact of sunlight doesn’t go through. How to start up a successful poultry farm in Nigeria

Choose the Kind of Bird You Want To Raise

You now need to think of the bird you want to raise. There are two major breeds you can find in poultry farms in Nigeria based on popular demand and consumption. We have the broiler and the layers. And according to Wikipedia, the broiler is any chicken that is bred and raised specifically for meat production. This type of bird is matured for meat when they are four to seven weeks old. Whereas the layers are bred specifically for eggs production they can start laying eggs when they are 18-19 weeks old.

Raise Money for Feeding

You already know that you are raising your birds for commercial purpose, so you are going to be feeding them with healthy food products that are rich with protein, energy, vitamins, and other nutrients. For chicks you feed them with a starter diet and then when they are grown you start feeding them with a finisher diet. You should also provide antibiotics to add to their food when feeding them. You will need to schedule feeding with regular dosage of the antibiotics. Your birds need to be fed well and properly taken care of to avoid disease outbreak amongst them. How to start up a successful poultry farm in Nigeria

Develop a Market Strategy

After setting up everything, what you need next to do is to develop a marketing strategy as to how you will get your products to the market and make some real profits. Like you know the sole aim of a business is to make profits so you must prepare yourself. At first you may need to do the word of mouth advertisement. Speak to everyone you know, from there you can get some few recommendations and if you satisfy your customers well you will expand.

Benefits of Starting up a Poultry Farm in Nigeria

1. It is not cost intensive. In other words, much capital is not required to start up.
2. Even though it is good to start up in big space, you start up in your available area.
3. Your success can spring up within a short period of time if you effectively and properly manage the business well.
4. Market is large and it is easy to sell your products.
5. It has a quick return on investment.
6. You are raising products that is on demand every day.

Poultry farming in Nigeria has been ever thriving over the years, According to reports, the production of eggs in Nigeria happens to be the largest in the whole of Africa. So it is one business that is creating wealth for entrepreneurs and can also provide jobs for unemployed people. So I advise that you do not waste time but swiftly dive into this ever green and thriving business and become financially free and stable.