Farmers express hope as Borno revamps agriculture

said: “Never you cut corners in feeding the chickens. Do your research very well and get the right type of feeds. Don’t mix all sorts of garbage and feed the chickens in the name of saving cost. You will pay for it when they die in large numbers.”

Ude, who said he records about 50% profit on his investment, advised poultry farmers not to take advice from laymen and consult veterinary officials or poultry experts when they notice any sign of poultry diseases in their farms.

Another poultry farmer, Mr. Joshua Dankano, an animal health expert, who agreed with his colleague, summed it thus: “If you want to reduce mortality rate in poultry farms, you must watch your stock, vaccinate accordingly, maintain high level of sanitation, feed your chickens very well with high quality feeds and always consult poultry experts when need arises.”

The farmers agreed that housing arrangement for the chickens should be made in such a way that reptiles and other animals, heat stress, cold and overcrowding will be avoided to provide a good environment for the birds to flourish.

Lending credence to the advice given by the farmers, a poultry farmer and former president of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), who is the current President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Architect Kabir Ibrahim, said: “There are many dos and don’ts in reducing mortality rate in poultry farms. Adequate biosecurity, correct vaccination, good quality feeds, good stock and ventilation, among others, are vital.”