Exotic bird business new goldmine in Kano

Kano State is witnessing a rapid rise in a new form of poultry enterprise as an increasing number of farmers and young entrepreneurs shift towards rearing and trading exotic and high-value birds. Popularly referred to as the “luxury bird business”, the sector focuses on ornamental and rare species such as ostriches, peacocks, fancy pigeons, parrots, […]

Kano State is witnessing a rapid rise in a new form of poultry enterprise as an increasing number of farmers and young entrepreneurs shift towards rearing and trading exotic and high-value birds.
Popularly referred to as the “luxury bird business”, the sector focuses on ornamental and rare species such as ostriches, peacocks, fancy pigeons, parrots, quails and other non-traditional birds bred for prestige, beauty and commercial value rather than for consumption.
Unlike conventional poultry farming, this emerging business appeals to buyers seeking unique birds for aesthetics, hobby, status, breeding or specialised products such as feathers, leather, exotic meat and eggs.
One of the pioneers of the business in Kano, Sunusi Ali Musa, said the innovation grew out of rising demand for ornamental birds and the need to reduce dependence on imported species.
To address this, Musa fabricates his own incubators, enabling him to hatch rare species locally and minimise the risks and costs associated with importing birds.
He said, “For large birds like ostriches, their benefits are enormous. They are not just luxury birds, but multipurpose livestock. Their feathers, skin, eggs and meat all have high market value. he said. An ostrich egg sells for about N60,000, while a two-week-old chick sells for up to N200,000.
“People love birds that are unique and beautiful. That inspired us to create a branch of aviculture dealing strictly in exotic birds.”
He added that Kano’s long history of keeping ornamental birds, particularly by families associated with traditional institutions, helped the business gain quick acceptance.
Another luxury bird farmer, Ibrahim Kallamu, said the growing acceptance of the business was drawing traditional poultry farmers towards the more profitable exotic bird market.
He attributed the shift to rising cost of maintaining broilers and layers, market saturation and declining profit margins in conventional poultry.
He noted that although exotic bird farming required specialised knowledge, the entry cost was manageable and the returns significantly higher.
He said, “Peacocks, ostriches and quails offer multiple revenue streams from feathers and leather to eggs, and even droppings. It is a business with layered opportunities.”
The trade has extended beyond Kano’s borders, as a Lagos-based dealer, Mr James Ogar, said he joined the industry after discovering its profitability and that although he did not rear birds, he bought and sold exotic species to customers across Africa.
He said, “For many buyers, it is a prestige or hobby market. For me, it is simply a business.”
However, operators say the business is not without challenges. Rising temperatures, sometimes exceeding 41°C, threaten the survival of both standard and exotic birds.
Additionally, feed, veterinary care and transport remain costly. Regulatory issues also pose risks as several exotic bird shipments have been seized by customs for suspected trafficking.
Musa said that aspiring investors must be prepared to provide adequate housing, proper feeding regimes, veterinary services and credible sourcing for eggs or parent birds.
He advised buyers to ensure sellers were legally registered and to demand proper documentation, especially for imported species, to avoid falling victim to illegal wildlife trade.