NAPRI to hatch 20,000 ShikaBrown parent-stock day-old chicks

The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika, Zaria, is 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 in February, this year, is part of NAPRI’s mandate for genetic improvement of animal breeds in Nigeria with a wider […]

The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika, Zaria, is 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 in February, this year, is part of NAPRI’s mandate for genetic improvement of animal breeds in Nigeria with a wider continental coverage.

The Nigerian ShikaBrown is an egg-laying chicken developed and produced by NAPRI, producing an average of 280 to 300 eggs within its production cycle.

 A statement by Awwal Musa, ABU’s Director, Directorate of Public Affairs, said this year’s hatching season began on a good footing as the first batch of ShikaBrown chicks were out from the pre-set eggs with 75 per cent hatchability. 

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According to the statement, NAPRI is targeting more than five other organisations as uptakers of the parent stock chicks of layers for further propagation and distribution of ShikaBrown commercial layers to farmers.

 The institute said it had maintained and upscaling its annual hatching activities despite the prevailing 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.

It further stated that NAPRI has been leveraging on its strengths and opportunities while seeking lasting solutions to present challenges and weaknesses.

“The challenges include the high cost of diesel, the high cost of drugs, limited hatchery capacity, and manual sexing methods,” it said.

 The institute, however, expressed hope that its collaborations with partner organisations will greatly assist in populating Nigeria with the ShikaBrown parent stock, and sustain egg supply toward achieving food security in the country.

“This will be through genetic upgrading of the ShikaBrown from imported grandparent stocks where necessary,” the statement added.