The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has commenced its 2025/2026 annual hatching exercise, aiming to produce approximately 25,000 chicks.
The university’s Director of Public Affairs, Auwalu Umar, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the exercise began on March 31, with over 3,000 grandparent stock (GPS) chicks already hatched.
He said the output includes Shikabrown grandparent stock and broiler foundation stock, mainly to serve as replacement stock for the institute’s existing flock.
Umar added that the 25,000 target represents a significant increase from the 17,000 chicks produced in the previous cycle, underscoring the institute’s drive to scale up production and respond to rising national demand.
According to him, the programme will also support hatcheries nationwide through the supply of high-quality parent stock (PS) layers and Shikabrown pullet commercial layers for both large-scale and smallholder poultry farmers.
During an inspection at the institute’s poultry brooding unit in Shika, Zaria, Acting Executive Director Muhammad-Rabiu Hassan expressed satisfaction with the progress, describing the exercise as on course to meet its target.
He also commended the Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Maiha, and the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Adamu Ahmed, for their support toward the programme’s success.
