Poultry Nutrition for Nigerian Farmers

Feed is the single largest expense in poultry farming, typically accounting for 60–70% of total production costs. Getting nutrition right is not just about growth — it directly impacts your profitability.

Types of Poultry Feed

Starter Feed (Day 1–2 weeks)

High protein (22–24%) feed for chicks. Comes in crumble form for easy consumption. Critical for early immune system development and fast growth.

Grower Feed (Week 3–5 for broilers)

Protein drops to 19–20%. Supports muscle development and frame growth.

Finisher Feed (Week 6 to market)

Lower protein (17–18%), higher energy. Encourages fat deposition and fast weight gain before sale.

Layer Mash/Pellets

Formulated for egg-laying hens. Contains high calcium (3.5–4%) for strong eggshells and balanced amino acids for yolk quality.

Feeding Schedule

Broilers should have access to feed 24 hours a day — restricted feeding slows growth significantly. Layers benefit from scheduled feeding twice daily plus a late-evening feed boost.

Cost-Saving Tips

• Buy feed in bulk directly from manufacturers — not from retail shops
• Mix your own feed if you have expertise and access to maize, soybean, and premix
• Reduce feed wastage with proper feeders — feeder design alone can cut waste by 10–15%
• Monitor feed conversion ratio (FCR) — the lower the better

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

FCR tells you how much feed it takes to produce 1kg of meat or a certain number of eggs. A good broiler FCR is 1.8–2.0. Anything above 2.2 suggests a problem with health, genetics, or management.