NAPRI to roll out 20,000 day-old chicks of parent stocks for improved poultry production this year
The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) says it aims to roll out 17,000 to 20,000 day-old chicks of ShikaBrown parent stock of layers during this year’s hatching activity.
The 2024/2025 hatching activity, which commenced on Thursday, 27th February, 2025, is part of NAPRI mandate for genetic improvement of animal breeds in Nigeria with a wider continental coverage.
This year’s hatching season began on a good note as the first batch of ShikaBrown chicks were out from the pre-set eggs with 75 percent hatchability.
In addition, NAPRI is targeting more than five other organisations as uptake for parent stock chicks of layers for further propagation and distribution of ShikaBrown commercial layers to farmers.
The institute said it had maintained and upscaled its annual hatching activities despite the obvious financial and economic challenges.
It also pointed out that the development is a boost to the country’s poultry industry and, by extension, the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
NAPRI has been leveraging on its strengths and opportunities while seeking lasting solutions to prevailing challenges and weaknesses, including high cost of diesel, high cost of drugs, limited hatchery capacity, and manual sexing methods.
The animal research institute expressed hope that its collaborations with partner organisations will greatly assist in populating Nigeria with Shika Brown Parent Stocks, sustain egg supply and achieve food security in Nigeria.
This will be through genetic upgrading of the ShikaBrown from imported grand parent stocks where necessary.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NAM)
Monday, 3rd March, 2025
