The Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA), has jumpstarted a 3,000-chick breeder’s pen to boost the university’s capacity for research and education and meet the growing daily need for day-old chicks (DOCs) in Ondo, Edo and other neighboring states.
At the project’s foundation-laying ceremony, FUTA Vice Chancellor Joseph Fuwape, said the major aim of the breeders’ farm is to enhance the university’s research capacity and improve the production and health of both chickens and eggs.
He called on the university’s Business Development Company (BDC) to effectively run and manage the pen upon its completion so as to encourage investors, and sustain business relationships with them, adding that the university’s School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) will use the pen for learning and research purposes to the benefit of stakeholders and students.
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The level of quality in (DOCs) matters immensely to poultry businesses because healthy chicks are the starting point for good poultry performance.
Buying DOC from a reputable farm with proper hatchery operations is an essential prerequisite to acquiring quality chicks that have the potential to become broiler chickens, layers or breeders.
Philip Oguntunde, deputy vice chancellor, over development, indicated that the project is to be executed through direct labor to minimize cost and called on the BDC to properly manage the space which he described as a “purely business and research venture.”
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Meanwhile BDC Director Jonathan Onyekwelu has made assurances that the pen will be appropriately managed, noting that the BDC had previously indicated its interest in partnering with the SAAT on the project.
Taiwo Amos, dean of the SAAT, said the project will occur in phases, with phase one targeted to produce about 2,000 eggs per day for as many as 10,000 per week. He reaffirmed the timely completion of the project now that it has gotten financial approval from management.
