Poultry farming and egg production is a lucrative business that can be both rewarding and challenging. It involves the raising of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other birds for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and feathers. Poultry farming and egg production requires careful management and planning to ensure the health and safety of the birds, as well as the quality of the eggs and meat produced.
The first step in poultry farming and egg production is to select the right breed of birds for the desired purpose. Different breeds of birds have different characteristics, such as egg production, meat production, and feather production. It is important to select the right breed for the desired purpose, as this will determine the success of the poultry farm.
Once the breed of birds has been selected, the next step is to create a suitable environment for the birds. This includes providing adequate housing, food, water, and ventilation. The housing should be designed to provide the birds with enough space to move around and to protect them from predators. The food should be of high quality and provide the birds with the necessary nutrients for growth and egg production. Water should be provided in a clean and safe manner, and the ventilation should be adequate to prevent the spread of disease.
The next step is to ensure the health and safety of the birds. This includes providing regular veterinary care, as well as monitoring the birds for signs of disease or injury. It is also important to provide the birds with a clean and safe environment, free from predators and other hazards.
Finally, it is important to manage the egg production and marketing of the eggs. This includes setting up a system for collecting, grading, and packaging the eggs, as well as marketing the eggs to customers. It is also important to keep accurate records of the egg production and sales, as this will help to ensure the success of the poultry farm.
Poultry farming and egg production can be a rewarding and profitable business, but it requires careful management and planning to ensure the health and safety of the birds, as well as the quality of the eggs and meat produced. With the right management and planning, a poultry farm can be a successful and profitable business.
World Egg Day will be celebrated across the globe on Friday 14 October 2022.
The annual event honours the highly nutritious and brilliantly versatile egg, highlighting the vast range of unique benefits it brings to human and planetary health, contributing to a better life for all.
To mark World Egg Day 2022, Poultry Association of Nigeria Ogun Sate will be celebrating World Egg with various activities and events
On Friday 14 October, egg fans worldwide will celebrate the power of the egg and all its nutritional, environmental and societal benefits.
The global event, celebrated on the second Friday of October every year, welcomes everyone to honour the unique contribution eggs make to supporting people around the world.
Among the most nutritious foods on the planet, one large egg provides 13 essential vitamins and minerals and 6g of protein, making this perfect package a healthy and affordable addition to the diets of people of all ages.
Many of the nutrients found in eggs are commonly under-consumed yet are required as part of a healthy diet to help you perform at your best and avoid serious health issues.
Key nutrients include choline, supporting brain development and function; vitamin A for eye health, healthy skin and immune function; and vitamin D, which plays an essential role in bone health. Eggs are also packed with high-quality protein, essential for the strength and repair of muscle and tissue.
Along with their nutritional value, eggs are the most environmentally sustainable and affordable animal-source protein available, helping support families around the world as well as the planet itself.
To mark this year’s celebration Poultry Association of Nigeria Ogun State will be celebrating World Egg with various activities and events.
Join in the celebrations wherever you are by sharing your favourite egg dish using #WorldEggDay on social media.
Nigerian poultry farmers are angry. Their problems are growing in a vicious circle which has plunged the industry into deepening crisis.
Since 2019, the farmers have been wailing and kicking over sudden unpredicted rise in the cost of inputs such as maize and soybeans, which constitute about 70 per cent of the feed components.
This forced a bag of feed to rise from N2,700 to N5,600 within 12 months and has remained so in the last 36 months.
In addition to the cost of maize which swelled from N140,000 to N223,000 per metric tonne, the inability of the farmers to access vaccines for their birds against Avian Influenza (bird flu) has further worsened their situation.
Mr Idowu Asenuga who has been a poultry farmer for over 25 years is bitter with what the poultry industry is going through in the country. For him, the government is not even listening to them and the industry is shrinking by the day.
Asenuga, who is the Ogun State chairperson of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, does not foresee a better future for the industry unless government change its policy on vaccines, compensation, maize and soybeans.
In an interview with our reporter, he said despite the fact that egg is the cheapest source of protein in Nigeria, unfortunately, the federal government has not been supporting the poultry industry.
Mr Idowu Asenuga who has been a poultry farmer for over 25 years is bitter with what the poultry industry is going through in the country. For him, the government is not even listening to them and the industry is shrinking by the day.
Asenuga, who is the Ogun State chairperson of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, does not foresee a better future for the industry unless government change its policy on vaccines, compensation, maize and soybeans.
In an interview with our reporter, he said despite the fact that egg is the cheapest source of protein in Nigeria, unfortunately, the federal government has not been supporting the poultry industry.
“Farms that have been affected by avian influenza, government is not protecting them and they are not allowing them to protect their farms by vaccination. So, we found it counter-productive and very worrisome and this is affecting the industry, the poultry industry is shrinking and people are losing their jobs, coupled with the fact that our members are not even secured; they are being kidnapped and killed on daily basis,” he said.
Secondly, the PANOG chair said because of the current state of the poultry industry, farmers find it difficult to get funding from commercial banks.
“As a commercial farmer and chairman of the PANOG, I tried to seek succor from one of the commercial banks and I was turned back. So, you can’t even get support from commercial banks; they will tell you the poultry industry is not vibrant and they won’t lend you money. It’s hell for us right now as we speak and unfortunately governments at all levels are not coming to our aid,” he stated.
Thirdly, on the issue of maize and soybean, he said “We find it very worrisome that at the peak of COVID, banditry, kidnapping, that was when government chose to ban forex for the importation of maize. The logical thing is that if any country cannot produce sufficient food, the rational thing for you to do is to import pending when you are able to produce enough. This has spelt a lot of doom for the poultry industry. Most of our members have closed shop because the price of maize and soy have gone beyond their reach. Last year, the price of maize was N90,000 before the ban but today before the new harvest, it was selling for N250,000 per tonne and a bag of layer feed for instance that was N2800 now sells for about N5,600 that is 100 per cent increase and feed constitutes about 80 per cent cost of production. If anything happens to the maize and soy, the cost of production goes up. That same period last year, a crate of egg was selling for 800 and 900. And it is impossible for us to double the price of egg while the price of maize of soy have double, that is the challenge we are having,” he said.
The poultry sector consumes about 50 per cent of maize produce in Nigeria and a collapsed poultry industry will also drastically affect the maize and soybeans farmers.
The farmers said the first thing government needs to do is to put a waiver on the importation of maize and make forex available for farmers who are willing to import to feed their birds, adding that if there is no import, the price of maize will not be checked.
Secondly, some farmers’ positon on vaccines is that government needs to allow them import avian influenza vaccines to vaccinate their birds and protect their investments.
Above all, they want government to look at targeted funding towards the poultry sector specifically at single digit interest rate so that farmers can easily pay back. They argued that borrowing at 28 and 30 per cent interest rates is not sustainable.
A source at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said FG’s policy on Avian Influenza is eradication and not vaccination, stressing that vaccination allows the disease to remain and continue to mutate.
The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of daily intake of eggs to boost immune system and ensure better vision.
The PAN Chairman, Alimosho Zone, Lagos State, Mr Oluwole Fayefunmi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a roadshow to commemorate the World Egg Day on Friday.
The World Egg Day is celebrated globally on every second Friday in October.
Fayefunmi said the association embarked on a roadshow to sensitise Nigerians to the benefits of eating eggs daily.
“We are creating awareness on the importance of having eggs constantly in our diets.
“We are also going to contribute crates of eggs to orphanages around Alimosho to celebrate the day.
“The health benefits of eggs are enormous, if you do not eat eggs frequently, you are missing a lot. Eggs help build immune system and aid better vision.
“Our message is that eggs are suitable for children, adults and the elderly. There is no limit to the number you can eat daily.
“I want to urge Nigerians that instead of getting a bottle of soft drinks at N150 per bottle, they should go for a nutritious egg at just N50,” Fayefunmi said.
On his part, Mr Stephen Olufemi, the former Secretary-General of the association, Lagos chapter, reiterated the need to correct misconceptions that eggs are not suitable for adults.
“The major reason we are celebrating this World Egg Day is to educate Nigerians on the nutritional value of eggs to their health. We want them to know that it is good to eat eggs.
“We also want to correct misconceptions about eggs not being healthy for adult consumption. Eggs have immense nutritional benefits for adults, as well as children.
“The lutein in eggs is very beneficial to adults, as it helps aid clearer vision in the elderly.
“The roadside show is to let Nigerians know that egg is good for everyone.
“This awareness will help promote and encourage the business of poultry farmers as it will ensure more patronage of eggs,” Olufemi said.
Also speaking, the association’s patron, Mr Adewale Balogun, noted that it was pertinent for Nigerians to understand the benefits of egg consumption.
“We are here to make Nigerians understand the benefits of eggs. Eggs are so vital to human diet and health.
“Even the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said it is important to eat eggs regularly, to stay healthy, as it contains virtually all vitamins and minerals.
“If you consume at least one egg a day, you are safe and will be free from regular visits to the doctor,” Balogun said.
In a new discussion paper released on 9 June, UN Nutrition emphasise the crucial role eggs play in sustainable balanced human diets. ‘Livestock-derived foods and sustainable healthy diets’ explores how the consumption of livestock-derived foods impacts human health, the environment and animal welfare.
As a widely consumed animal-sourced food, the egg is praised for its significant nutritional benefits, particularly in terms of human development and growth. The paper highlights the value the egg brings to infants, young people and pregnant women, particularly those in low-resource settings.
Leading experts explain that the nutrients eggs, meat and milk provide are more efficiently absorbed by the body than plant-based alternatives, helping address undernourishment which causes stunting in approximately 22% of young children worldwide.
Key findings
Eggs provide critical nutrients and protect the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations (Iannotti, 2018).
The digestible indispensable amino acid score for protein quality exceeds 100% for eggs, compared with rice at 37% and wheat at 45% (FAO, 2011).
Eggs have a high concentration of choline, a micronutrient vital to cell division, growth and membrane signalling (Zeisel and da Costa, 2009).
Eggs are an important source of vitamins A, B12, D, E and folate, as well as bioavailable minerals, especially selenium, but also iron and zinc (Iannotti et al., 2014).
As part of the discussion, the implications of COVID-19 on global nutrition are explored: “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2020 estimates that healthy diets will be further out of reach for more than 3 billion people as a result of COVID-19 (FAO et al., 2020).” The paper uses this point to explain the added need for livestock-derived foods during this time of crisis.
Lora Iannotti, lead author of the report and director of the E3 Nutrition Lab at Washington University in St. Louis, said: “If we want to provide healthy diets for vulnerable children and pregnant or lactating mothers, which is where you see the worst impacts of malnutrition, the scientific evidence is clear: food from livestock provides benefits that are very hard and sometimes impossible to replicate solely with plant-based foods.”
She added that a child would need to consume at least 12 times as much of a plant-based alternative, such as carrots, to gain the amount of vitamin A available in a small serving of eggs.
Contributors to the discussion include the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The paper concludes by exploring better ways to manage environmental, animal and human health risks, while still reaping the many benefits of the egg and other animal-sourced foods.
The EXPO is to be hosted at the international conference center, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, West Africa. The EXPO features over 250 companies from over 25 countries and over 10,000 participants from Nigeria, West Africa countries and the globe.
The Aviana-Aviv West Africa international expo is an international B2B exhibition for Poultry, Diary, Aquaculture, Equipment and stakeholders in Nigeria and the globe.
The Aviana-Aviv West Africa international expo which has now come to Nigeria has been existing in Kenya, Uganda, India and South Africa. The Aviana-Aviv West Africa international expo is a B2B exhibition that will feature over 250 companies from over 25 countries and over 10,000 participants from Nigeria, West African countries and the globe.
The EXPO is to be hosted from 2nd to 3rd September 2021 at the international conference center, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, West Africa.
The Expo consists of:
a. Aviana Nigeria Expo which is an International B2B Exhibition for Livestock, Poultry, Diary, Aquaculture, livestock companies and Farmers, Animal health and nutrition, Feeds and feed milling, Hatchery/breeder farms, Disinfectants, Veterinary pharmaceuticals, Pet food and accessories, Equipment’s, Machinery and Agro allied,
b. Aviana AGROTECH EXPO which is an international B2B exhibition for Seeds, Agrochemicals, fertilizer and Agric inputs, Disinfectants, Equipment’s, Machineries and tractors, Agro-allied and trawler owners.
c.viana Agro-FOOD EXPO which is an international B2B exhibition for Foods, Nutrition, Beverages, Confectionaries, Cereals, Noodles, Soy foods, Seafood, Drinks etc.
d. Aviana Agro finance Expo which is an International B2B Exhibition for Banks/financial institutions, Insurance, Agencies, NGOs, CBOs, Research Institutions, Embassies, Professionals, Associations across Africa and other countries of the world for business, knowledge, training/capacity building, contacts, networking’s, Investment, trade, and commerce.
Vitamin D is a nutrient essential for bone development, skeletal health, healthy muscles and regulating the immune system, yet it is estimated that 1 in 8 people worldwide have a vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency [1]. There are lots of reasons to ensure you reach the recommended daily intake of this vital nutrient, and as one of the few natural food sources of Vitamin D, eggs can help you do it.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient with several important functions. Also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, vitamin D is produced in your skin in response to sunlight and is also naturally produced in a small number of foods, including eggs.
Good Sources of Vitamin D
The best source of vitamin D is sunlight. However, enjoying foods like eggs, which naturally contain vitamin D, as part of a healthy balanced diet can support you to meet your daily vitamin D requirements.
Vitamin D is only found in a small number of foods including:
Egg yolks
Oily fish
Red meat
Liver
Mushrooms
Research has found that an average serving of 2 eggs contains 8.2mcg of vitamin D, a substantial portion of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin D [2], making them a great addition to the diet to support the intake of adequate levels of this vital vitamin.
Why is Vitamin D important?
One of the most important functions of vitamin D is the regulation of the amount of calcium and phosphate absorbed by the body, contributing to normal growth and development in children and maintaining our bone, teeth and muscle health as we age. Vitamin D also supports the normal function of the immune system, which is the body’s first line of defence against infection and disease.
In addition to these primary benefits, research suggests that vitamin D may also play a role in fighting disease reducing depression and protecting against some cancers . Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that vitamin D may play a role in helping to reduce the chance of developing flu [6]. While further research suggests vitamin D may play an important role in regulating mood, with one study finding that people with depression who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in their symptoms .
Although vitamin D is commonly called the ‘sunshine vitamin’, in recent years studies have found that even those in sunny climates can have insufficient levels of vitamin D. Changing lifestyle factors, including spending more time indoors, sun avoidance and protection to reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancers, and pollution levels can all impact the level of vitamin D the body is able to synthesise [14]. Therefore, the consumption of foods which naturally contain vitamin D, such as eggs can support the intake of adequate vitamin levels.
Acute shortage of maize and soybean has been identified as the main factor crippling the poultry sector in Nigeria.
The Registrar/CEO, Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Professor Eustace Iyayi, who disclosed this while addressing stakeholders during a collaborative meeting held with Premier Agribusiness Academy (PAA) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State, said, the unavailability of quality and affordable livestock feed to farmers can be attributed to the shortfall in local production of maize and soybean in the country.
According to him, it became imperative for NIAS to pay attention to livestock feed production in order to avoid livestock starvation, unprofitability, and indebtedness of farmers, especially those still struggling to remain in business.
He pointed out that the solution to this lingering scarcity and the high price of maize and soybean is to increase local production through farmers’ participation.
Iyayi explained that, if farmers can be properly trained on global best practices in feed production, individual farmers will be able to independently make quality feeds needed for their livestock consumption.
The DG, PAA, Francis Toromade said the academy is ready to help train farmers on global impactful practices (MIP) in maize and soybean production with the assistance of IITA.
According to him, IITA is renowned for quality research, which has helped transform and develop agriculture practices all over the world.
Speaking on behalf of IITA, the Head, Capacity Development Office, Sougrynoma Zainatou Soré expressed readiness to work with PAA and NIAS by supplying research documents used by IITA in improving its yield per hectare for soybean production and maize.
The rainy season is usually synonymous with an increase in relative humidity and a reduction in temperature; rainfall affects both the quality and quantity of feeding, while wind speed has an impact on the outbreak of diseases.
With the arrival of the rainy season, farmer needs to give a little bit more care and attention towards his crops along with the livestock. As we know, poultry farming is continuously growing as the most profitable agribusiness across the globe including India. However, monsoon comes as a challenging season for poultry farmers which could be very tormenting. As the rainy and cold season brings changes in temperature and weather conditions, it leaves a deep impact to the poultry farm. You need to know that weather conditions play a vital role in poultry farming as well. Hence, as a poultry farmer, it is very important to learn how to operate a poultry farm during rainy seasons.
Poultry birds and poultry production are generally affected by seasonal climatic or weather changes. For instance, in the wet or cold season, chickens eat more feed, drink less water and huddle together to generate heat and keep themselves warm. On the other hand, chickens and other livestock birds consume less feed and drink more water in the hot season or weather in order to cool their body. These changes affect the production of birds, most especially laying birds, as egg production is reduced in extremely cold or hot weather. This reduction in egg production occurs because when there are extreme cold or hot conditions, these birds are stressed, and their ability to withstand diseases or immune system is seriously affected.
It is always better to repair the house before the arrival of the rainy season and to clear the drainage ditch around the chicken house. When it rains, close the doors and windows or let the curtains open to prevent rain from entering the house and prevent the chickens from getting cold or other problems
One should reserve enough dry padding. The thick padding should be turned over and keep the padding dry. The wet agglomerated padding should be cleaned out of the house and reduce the ammonia concentration in the house.
Prevent the feed ingredients from getting wet, and the amount of feed should not be too much. The compound feed in the house should be placed on the platform above the ground to prevent the feed from regaining moisture and mildew in your battery cage for sale.
Under the influence of the rainy season of battery cage for layers, the humidity in the chicken house is increased, the litter is moist, the feed is mildewed, some production units cannot obtain clean drinking water, etc., which may lead to coccidiosis, E. coli outbreak, and elevated ammonia concentration. The risk of mycotoxin poisoning and respiratory disease infection increases.
Birds usually increase their level of feed intake to generate heat and stay warm during the rainy season/winter. However, for a farmer, increasing the level of feed provision raises the cost of production besides wastage of nutrients that are not needed for heat generation. To reduce costs and avoid wastage, energy-rich sources like oil/fat should be added to the diet or the level of other nutrients may be reduced keeping the energy at the same level.
In a free-range system, provide supplementary feeding to the birds to meet their nutrient deficit. Consider providing your birds with warm water periodically during this rainy season to encourage consumption and help them keep warm without using up energy reserved in the process.
With the rain, birds may encounter standing water (mostly in free-range) and end up drinking from the ground leading to parasitic infestation from intestinal worms.
De-wormers administered after every three months help in the management of worms but you should remember the product withdrawal period as specified by the manufacturer.
Poultry house should be designed in such a way that it provides all the comfort required by birds during cold season while considering ventilation as well. In regions where it rains heavily, the floor should be raised with a generous roof overhang, particularly over the entrance.
The raised floor can be a solid platform of the earth to prevent floods. Orientation of a building with respect to wind and sun consequently influence temperature and light on different external surfaces. With better management, your flock will remain healthy and productive throughout the cold season.
Wet litter condition may arise due to overcrowding, diarrhoea and excessive salt in the diet besides seepage from the roof. Wet litter condition should be prevented as it may lead to burnt hock condition, E.coli infection, coccidiosis etc.
Hence proper housing space or stocking density along with proper ventilation should be ensured. Excessive caking of the litter should be prevented as it may lead to abrasions in the extremities and hock joint. Wet litter can be prevented by the frequent stirring of the litter.
