Poultry Expert, Dr. OREOLUWA OBASA
Oreoluwa Obasa, PhD, is a distinguished Animal Scientist specializing in monogastric animal nutrition and management. He is the Managing Director of Toyen Agro, a company he founded with the goal of producing healthy organic meats for human consumption.
Dr. Ore, as he is affectionately called, is a successful poultry farmer based in Ikenne, Ogun State. He began his poultry business seven years ago.Today, he has established himself as one of the prominent players in the industry.
Additionally, he has published several articles in reputable journals, contributing to the field with his research.
Recently, City People’s ISAAC ABIMBADE (08155106955) spoke with him and shared some of his success stories in poultry farming. He also provided valuable advice on what steps to take before entering the poultry business. Below are some key excerpts from that conversation.
What does it take to be a poultry farmer?
To become a poultry farmer, the first requirement is genuine interest and passion. Poultry farming can be very challenging, especially if you lack the necessary technical knowledge and understand the economic factors involved. Without a deep interest and passion for the field, you may struggle and eventually leave it. Passion is often what keeps people committed to poultry farming, rather than just the potential for monetary gain.
If someone like me, as a novice, wants to enter the poultry business, what steps should I take first?
The initial step is to acquire knowledge. You need to learn about livestock management since you will be dealing with animals. Birds are like humans, they can be affected by diseases and various external factors. Knowledge about proper feeding, medication, and housing is essential. Simply having a significant amount of money, like 10 million naira, doesn’t guarantee success—you need to educate yourself first.
Assuming I have about 1 or 2 million Naira and I have a genuine interest in poultry, what steps should I take beyond acquiring technical know-how? Should I get broilers first or construct housing for them?
First, you need to obtain land. It is advisable to locate your poultry farm away from residential areas to minimize odor issues. While there are newer technologies and additives that can help control smells, it’s best to keep your farm at a distance from homes, especially when starting out.
Next, you should construct housing. The type of housing you build will depend on the bird species you plan to raise. For instance, broilers and layers require different types of housing.
Deep Litter System: Typically used for broilers, this system allows birds to exercise and helps reduce leg paralysis issues. Battery Cage System: Commonly used for layers, but it can lead to paralysis due to restricted movement.
High-Rise Pen: Another housing option for layers.
Each housing system has its own advantages and challenges, so it’s crucial to identify the species you want to raise and select the appropriate housing for them.
Beyond housing, you must seek the best quality Day-Old Chicks (DOC). Don’t just buy chicks from any source; research and ensure that you’re purchasing from a reputable hatchery. Poor-quality DOC can lead to significant setbacks since they may not grow adequately.
There’s also an important phase called brooding. This is when you provide heat to the chicks for about a week, depending on weather conditions. While they may have suggested two weeks in school, experience shows that a week—maximum nine days—is sufficient for brood management under our climate.
What is Brooding?
Brooding refers to the care of the chicks when they are still very young. They need warmth during this phase, similar to how you would wrap a baby in warm clothes to keep them comfortable. During brooding, you are responsible for providing heat since the chicks cannot generate their own.
After the brooding phase, you’ll move broilers to a finishing pen until they reach maturity for slaughter. In poultry farming, we refer to this process as “slaughter.”
You’ve mentioned broilers and layers. For an average investor or someone new to the poultry sector, what are the advantages of these two types? Should a beginner start with broilers or layers? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
The advantages and disadvantages can vary from community to community and region to region. In Nigeria, for instance, one major factor affecting poultry farming is government policy. Currently, raising broilers can be profitable depending on these policies.
So, what is the difference between broilers and layers? Broilers, often referred to in Yoruba as “abopa,” are white birds raised solely for consumption. They are typically ready for slaughter in about six to seven weeks. On the other hand, layers are hens bred for egg production.
When considering their advantages and disadvantages, one notable aspect of broilers is that their housing requirements are generally lower than those for layers. For broilers, you can simply construct a shelter with wood, cover it with nets, and add bedding, and they will thrive. In contrast, layers require a more specific housing system. You need to invest in battery cages, which can be quite costly, often ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 naira given the current economic conditions.
Many people find it easier to start with broilers due to the lower housing costs. Although you could invest in a more sophisticated setup for broilers, they can still do well in simple housing. Moreover, broilers grow quickly; in six to seven weeks, they are ready for market. Conversely, layers must be raised for around 18 weeks before they begin to lay eggs. During this time, while you would have already raised multiple batches of broilers, layers will not produce any eggs.
When it comes to strength and adaptability, layers are generally more suited to our local environment. Broilers are more fragile and have low heat tolerance, making them more susceptible to heat-related issues, while layers are more heat tolerant.
In terms of marketability, the sale of eggs tends to be more stable compared to chicken sales. Chicken faces stiff competition from beef, pork, and goat meat, resulting in a crowded market. However, eggs have a consistent demand; they can be used in various dishes, such as with yam, rice, or noodles, making them more versatile.
Once chicken is processed, it needs to be refrigerated to prevent spoilage, which occurs within hours if left unrefrigerated. In contrast, eggs can last up to two weeks if stored properly, even without immediate sales, as long as they are kept in the right conditions away from direct sunlight.
Is 1.5 million naira enough for someone wanting to venture into the business?
It all depends on the scale of your plans. In the past, before things changed in Nigeria, 1.5 million naira could help you achieve something significant. However, now, that amount is relatively small, especially for a poultry business, which is a capital-intensive project.
If you don’t have enough funds and still want to enter the poultry industry, consider starting at a lower scale. With 1.5 million naira, for instance, you could manage to raise around 300 to 500 birds. For first-time farmers, it’s advisable to start small, perhaps with about 50 chicks.
Let’s break down the costs:
First, consider your housing needs for the birds. You might spend around 300,000 to 400,000 naira on housing and related expenses. This still leaves you some budget for feeding your 50 birds.
For broilers, depending on their age and the weight you’re aiming for, your feeding budget might range from 3,500 to 4,000 naira per bird. So, if you have 50 birds, that totals to 200,000 naira for feed (50 birds x 4,000 naira).
If we estimate around 500,000 naira for housing, your total cost would be approximately 700,000 naira for 50 birds. It’s worth noting that the price for chicks can vary significantly, typically ranging from 500 to 1,000 naira each but can spike to 1,500 naira during festival seasons such as Christmas or Sallah. So, budgeting about 50,000 naira for 50 chicks brings your overall to 750,000 naira.
Next, factor in the costs for medication and vaccination, which I recommend estimating at about 0.5% of your production costs. For 50 chicks, this could be between 10,000 to 15,000 naira.
In total, you can start a poultry business with less than one million naira, even with a smaller amount depending on your scale. If you’re aiming for 1,000 birds and need to build housing from scratch, you might need 8 to 10 million naira to start. However, if your housing is already in place, you could manage with around 5 million naira.
Please tell us more about yourself.
My name is Dr Oreoluwa Obasa. I am a graduate of Animal Science and I hold a PhD in the same field. I have been involved in the poultry industry for nearly seven years, during which I’ve experienced both the successes and challenges of the business. Most of my expertise comes not only from my academic background but also from practical experience in the poultry industry.
