ARTICLES

Most Profitable Poultry Breeds for Nigerian Farmers

Choosing the right poultry breed determines how profitable your farm becomes. Some breeds produce more eggs, others grow faster for meat, and a few perform well in both. In Nigeria’s climate, the best poultry breeds are those that adapt easily, grow quickly, and have high feed conversion rates. This article highlights the most profitable poultry breeds you should consider for maximum income.

Poultry Breed Selection

The breed you select affects how much you earn from eggs or meat. Some farmers struggle with poor performance because they pick birds that are not suited for local conditions. When you choose breeds that handle heat, resist disease, and perform well on standard feed, you spend less and earn more. Breed choice also affects:

Feed efficiency and growth rate
Egg size and laying frequency
Mortality rate and cost of care
Return on investment and market value

1. Isa Brown – The Egg-Laying Champion

Isa Brown is the most popular layer breed in Nigeria. Known for its high productivity, this hybrid layer can produce up to 300 eggs per year per bird.

Advantages:

Early maturity — starts laying between 18 and 20 weeks
Excellent feed-to-egg conversion rate
Large brown eggs with strong shells
Adapts well to hot weather

Profit Potential:

From 500 Isa Brown layers, you can produce up to 12–14 crates daily, translating to monthly sales worth over ₦1.5 million depending on egg prices.

2. Lohmann Brown – Strong Layers with Long Lifespan

Lohmann Brown is another hybrid layer that performs exceptionally well in Nigeria. Farmers love it for its consistent production and calm temperament.

Advantages:

Produces about 310 eggs yearly
Lays steadily for over 80 weeks
Consumes less feed compared to other breeds
High immunity against tropical diseases

This breed is ideal for farmers who want long-term, stable egg production with reduced maintenance costs.

3. Black Australorp – Dual Purpose Performer

Black Australorp is both a layer and a meat bird. It produces up to 250 large eggs yearly while maintaining excellent body weight for meat.

Advantages:

Performs well in both cold and hot regions
Tolerant to stress and disease
Attractive market size when matured
Friendly nature and easy to manage

Profit Insight:

Dual-purpose breeds like Australorp help farmers diversify income — earning from both eggs and meat sales when the birds stop laying.

4. Noiler Chicken – Nigeria’s Home-Grown Hybrid

Noiler is one of the best breeds developed for Nigeria’s local environment. It grows fast, has tasty meat, and still produces a fair number of eggs.

Advantages:

Matures within 12–14 weeks for meat
Can produce 160–180 eggs yearly
Excellent feed conversion efficiency
Survives on locally mixed feed

Why It’s Profitable:

Noilers attract both local and urban buyers because of their meat texture and taste similar to local breeds. They are great for small farmers targeting both local markets and households.

5. Broilers – Fast-Growing Meat Birds

If your goal is to make money from meat production, broilers are the best option. These birds reach market weight within six to eight weeks.

Popular Broiler Breeds in Nigeria:

Cobb 500
Ross 308
Arbor Acres

Advantages:

Rapid growth and high feed efficiency
Market-ready within 45–60 days
High demand from restaurants, hotels, and frozen food shops

Profit Example: With 1,000 broilers, you can generate ₦2 million to ₦3 million every two months, depending on feed cost and market price.

6. Kuroiler – The Rural Farmers’ Favorite

Kuroiler is another hybrid bird suitable for backyard and semi-intensive farming. It grows faster than native chickens and produces both meat and eggs.

Advantages:

200–250 eggs yearly
Tolerates rough conditions and local feeds
Heavier and more productive than local breeds
Can be raised in free-range systems

This breed is ideal for smallholders and rural farmers who want minimal costs and consistent profit.

7. Sasso Chicken – Excellent Meat and Egg Producer

Sasso is a popular French hybrid that performs well in Nigeria’s tropical weather. It is known for strong immunity and high meat quality.

Advantages:

Gains up to 2.5 kg in 12 weeks
Produces 180–200 eggs yearly
Requires less feed than broilerHigh survival rate even under stress

Sasso chickens are suitable for farmers targeting both local consumption and export-grade meat markets.

8. Naked Neck (Fulani Fowl)

This breed is mostly raised in Northern Nigeria. It is naturally hardy and can survive extreme heat and low feed quality.

Advantages:

Resistant to heat and most poultry diseases
Consumes less feed
Provides both eggs and meat
Popular among local buyers who prefer native taste

Naked Neck chickens may not grow as fast as hybrids, but they have consistent demand and low running costs — making them a good choice for small farmers.

9. White Leghorn – Commercial Egg Breed

White Leghorns are light-bodied layers with exceptional laying records. They produce white-shelled eggs and are mostly used in large-scale commercial farms.