cost of starting a poultry farm in nigeria

Table of Contents

Cost of Starting a Poultry Farm in Nigeria: What You Should Know

Poultry farming is one of the most profitable agribusinesses in Nigeria today. With a growing population and rising demand for affordable protein, poultry products like eggs and meat are in constant demand across the country. But before diving into this business, one important question every aspiring poultry farmer must ask is: “How much does it cost to start a poultry farm in Nigeria?”

This blog post will walk you through all the key expenses, from land acquisition to feeding and vaccination, to give you a realistic picture of the capital required to start and run a successful poultry farm in Nigeria.

1. Factors That Affect the Cost of Starting a Poultry Farm

Before we go into actual figures, it's important to understand that the total cost of starting a poultry farm depends on several factors:

Scale of Operation (Small, Medium, or Large)

Type of Bird (Broilers, Layers, or Cockerels)

Housing System (Battery Cage or Deep Litter)

Location of the Farm

Level of Automation (Manual or Automated processes)

So whether you’re starting small with 100 birds or going large with 5,000 birds, your budget must be planned accordingly.

2. Land and Poultry Housing – ₦300,000 to ₦5,000,000

a. Land Cost

Land price varies widely depending on your location. In rural areas or small towns, you may get a plot of land (50x100ft) for as low as ₦100,000 to ₦500,000. In urban or semi-urban areas, the same plot may cost up to ₦1 million or more.

It’s advisable to situate your poultry farm in a less-populated area to reduce land costs and minimize issues with noise and odor complaints.

b. Poultry House Construction

Poultry houses must be well-ventilated and protected from predators and harsh weather. A deep litter house for 500 birds may cost about ₦300,000 to ₦500,000, while battery cage systems are more expensive, costing up to ₦1 million for cages alone.

If you're building for 1,000 birds or more, you might spend ₦1 million to ₦5 million depending on the size, materials, and cage system.

3. Cost of Day-Old Chicks (DOC) – ₦250 to ₦650 per chick

The price of day-old chicks depends on the breed and supplier. On average:

• Broilers: ₦300 to ₦500 each
• 
  
• Layers: ₦400 to ₦650 each
• 
  
• Cockerels: ₦250 to ₦400 each

So, for 500 broilers, expect to spend around ₦150,000 to ₦250,000 on chicks alone.

4. Feeding – ₦100,000 to ₦1,000,000+ Monthly

Feeding is the most expensive part of poultry farming, taking up about 60–70% of your entire budget. One broiler consumes about 4–5 kg of feed before maturity (6–8 weeks), while layers eat continuously for egg production.

Here’s an estimate:

• Cost of feed per 50kg bag: ₦10,000 to ₦14,000
• 
  
• Number of bags for 500 broilers: 40 to 50 bags
• 
  
• Total feed cost: ₦400,000 to ₦700,000 for a 6–8 week cycle

If you have layers, be prepared for continuous monthly feeding until they stop laying (usually after 18–24 months).

5. Vaccination and Medication – ₦20,000 to ₦100,000

Poultry birds are vulnerable to diseases like Newcastle, Gumboro, and Fowl Pox. Regular vaccination and preventive treatments are crucial to avoid mass losses.

Budget around:

₦20 to ₦50 per bird for vaccines

₦10,000 to ₦100,000 for antibiotics, vitamins, and vet services depending on flock size

6. Labour and Staff Wages – ₦30,000 to ₦150,000/month

Unless you plan to manage everything yourself, you’ll need workers. For a small-scale farm, one or two farmhands may be enough. Expect to pay:

₦30,000 to ₦50,000/month per worker

Large farms may need supervisors, cleaners, and guards – costing up to ₦150,000 or more monthly

7. Utilities and Miscellaneous – ₦20,000 to ₦100,000

This includes:

Water supply (drilling a borehole may cost ₦300,000+)

Electricity or solar (powering lighting and heaters)

Feeding/drinking equipment (feeders, drinkers, heaters)

Transportation

Packaging materials for eggs or live birds

Keep at least ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 as a contingency fund.

8. Total Estimated Cost Breakdown for 500 Birds (Broilers)

Expense Item    |     Estimated Cost (₦)

Land & Construction |  500,000 – 1,500,000

Day-Old Chicks (500)  |  150,000 – 250,000

Feed (for 6–8 weeks)  |   400,000 – 700,000

Vaccination/Medication  |  25,000 – 50,000

Labour (1 month)       |      30,000 – 50,000

Equipment & Utilities    |   100,000 – 200,000

Miscellaneous/Backup.  |    50,000 – 100,000

     Total        |    ₦1.2 million – ₦2.8 million

> Note: This estimate is for broilers. Layers will cost more due to their longer rearing time and ongoing feeding.

9. Profit Potential

Let’s say you rear 500 broilers and sell each at ₦5,000 after 8 weeks:

• Revenue = 500 birds × ₦5,000 = ₦2.5 million
• 
  
• Cost = Approx. ₦1.5 – ₦2.0 million
• 
  
• Profit = ₦500,000 – ₦1 million per cycle

This is a rough estimate. Your actual profit depends on survival rate, market price, and management efficiency.

10. Tips for Reducing Costs

Buy feed ingredients in bulk and mix your own if possible.

Build your poultry house using local materials.

Reuse equipment from previous batches.

Buy day-old chicks from reliable hatcheries to reduce mortality.

Start small, learn the process, and scale gradually.

Conclusion

Starting a poultry farm in Nigeria is not only achievable but also highly rewarding if done right. With as little as ₦500,000, you can start a small-scale operation and grow it into a thriving agribusiness. Careful planning, good record-keeping, and proper management are key to success.

Whether you’re doing it for meat (broilers) or eggs (layers), the poultry business remains one of the most promising opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

If you found this blog helpful, don’t forget to share and leave a comment below. For more agribusiness tips and cost guides, stay tuned to this blog!