Boosting Productivity: How Access to Extension Services is Transforming Small-Scale Poultry Farming in Nigeria

In Nigeria, most agricultural extension services have focused on helping crop farmers, giving them training, advice, and useful information to grow more and farm better. However, for small poultry farmers, this kind of support has been missing for a long time. Many have had to figure things out on their own, often making costly mistakes. That’s now starting to change. More poultry farmers are getting access to extension services that give them the knowledge and support they need. For these farmers, success is no longer just about raising chickens, it is about having the right information, getting help when needed, and learning how to reduce losses and grow their businesses. Extension services are quickly becoming one of the most important tools for building a stronger poultry sector in Nigeria.

What Are Extension Services?

Extension services are technical support designed to help farmers enhance their agricultural practices. In poultry farming, they provide expert guidance on areas such as feeding, disease prevention, housing, and marketing. These services are typically delivered through agricultural programs run by government agencies, Development organizations, NGO’s,  private sector initiatives, or digital platforms, giving farmers access to the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.

Why it matters for poultry farmers:

In poultry farming, the margin between profit and loss is thin. A small mistake like using poor-quality feed or failing to vaccinate one’s birds can wipe out a whole flock. Extension services provide farmers with the right knowledge at the right time, helping them avoid costly errors.

Here’s how access to extension services is boosting productivity among Nigerian poultry farmers:

1. Better Farm Management Practices

With extension support, farmers learn to:

• Set up a proper pen (well-ventilated and clean)
• Maintain hygiene through regular cleaning and disinfection
• Optimize feeding routines and avoid feed waste
• Monitor birds behavior for early signs of diseases

These small changes add up to healthier chickens and higher survival rates.

2. Improved Disease Control and Vaccination

Many smallholder farmers used to lose their birds to diseases that could have been easily prevented, like Newcastle disease, coccidiosis, and fowl pox. Extension services offer:

• Vaccination schedules
• Early detection of symptoms
• Affordable treatment plans
• Guidance on biosecurity measures

3. Access to Market Information

Knowing where and when to sell your chickens or eggs can make a big difference. Extension support often:

• Share current market prices
• Connect farmers to bulk buyers, processors, and local markets
• Offer tips on packaging, branding, and adding value (like smoked chicken)

4. Support for Record Keeping and Business Growth

Many farmers don’t keep detailed records, making it hard to track progress or get loans. Extension services teach simple record-keeping methods:

• How much was spent on feed, vaccines, and other costs
• Number of birds bought vs. sold
• Profit made per cycle

5. Tech-Enabled Learning and Support

Today, even farmers in rural areas can access extension services through mobile phones. WhatsApp groups, voice messages in local languages, and apps like the Pullus App helps farmers get better support in this area.

Bitrus, a poultry farmer in Kaduna, used to lose half of his birds during the hot season. After attending a training organized by Pullus Africa, with support from our extension officer,  he learned certain tricks and styles to navigate this challenge, like ventilation for his birds. His survival rate went from 50% to over 90%, and now he’s expanding the quantity of birds he keeps and mentoring other farmers as a cluster leader with Pullus Africa

Farming doesn’t have to be guesswork. With the correct extension support,  which is one of the services that we render at PULLUS AFRICA,  knowledge becomes power, and small-scale poultry farming moves from being a hustle to becoming a profitable and enjoyable business.

If you are a poultry farmer in Nigeria, don’t wait until problems hit. Reach out, ask questions, become a Pullus farmer and join the network of productive and profitable farmers. The support is there, and it is transforming farmers just like you.