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Winner Edwin Farms Initiative, Makurdi (2026)

03/12/2025

Poultry Farming: Broiler Production Diet

Broiler farming focuses on raising birds for meat within a short period. Feed is the main driver of growth and profit. Your diet plan determines weight gain, feed conversion, health, and final meat quality.

Key Nutrition Needs • Energy from maize, wheat, sorghum
• Protein from soybean meal, groundnut cake, fish meal
• Amino acids for muscle growth, like lysine and methionine
• Minerals like calcium and phosphorus for bones
• Vitamins A, D, E, K and B complex for metabolism
• Clean water available at every moment

Starter Diet
• Age: Day 1 to Day 14
• Crude protein: 21 to 23 percent
• Energy: about 2900 kcal per kg
• Goal: support rapid organ and muscle growth

Grower Diet
• Age: Day 15 to Day 28
• Crude protein: 19 to 21 percent
• Energy: about 3000 kcal per kg
• Goal: support fast weight gain and strong bones

Finisher Diet
• Age: Day 29 to Market
• Crude protein: 17 to 19 percent
• Energy: about 3200 kcal per kg
• Goal: high weight gain and good meat yield

Feeding Tips • Start feeding within the first 2 hours after chicks arrive
• Use small feeders early to reduce feed waste
• Increase feeder space as birds grow
• Keep feed fresh and dry to prevent mold
• Add grit only when using whole grains
• Follow withdrawal period for any medicated feed

Common Feeding Problems • Low protein causes poor growth and weak legs
• Low energy leads to slow weight gain
• Poor quality feed causes diarrhea and high mortality
• Overfeeding increases fat and production cost

Action Steps For Success • Buy quality feed ingredients from trusted suppliers
• Balance diets based on growth stage
• Monitor body weight weekly
• Reduce stress from heat, overcrowding, and dirty housing

A well planned diet gives you healthy birds, faster turnover, and higher profits.

17/07/2025

Sheep Housing: How to Build an All-Weather Pen

🐏 Don’t Let Your Sheep Suffer in Silence!

Do your sheep have a dry place to sleep when it rains? A lot of farmers overlook proper housing, thinking sheep are tough. But poor housing can cause hoof rot, pneumonia, and low reproduction.

The fix? Keep it simple:

Elevated wooden floors

Sloped zinc roofs

Dry bedding changed weekly

This protects them from moisture, heat, and cold—giving you healthy lambs and better profits.

✅ A small investment in housing can save you thousands in treatment!

14/07/2025

Designing Ventilated Poultry Coops for Better Egg Production

🐔 Why Your Chicken Coop Might Be Hurting Your Business

Have your hens slowed down in egg production recently? Poor air circulation could be the problem.

Your poultry coop should not feel like an oven. Chickens need fresh air and a comfortable environment to lay eggs consistently. Use wire mesh walls instead of full wood, raise the coop off the ground, and don’t overcrowd—give them space!

🌿 You don’t need to break the bank to do this—simple, low-cost materials work well if properly arranged.

💬 What’s one thing you love about your poultry house? Or hate? Let’s hear it below!

11/07/2025

IS PIG FARMING PROFITABILE IN NIGERIA?

Pig farming in Nigeria is generally considered a highly profitable venture with significant potential for entrepreneurs and farmers. The reasons for its immerse profitability are as follows:

● High Demand for Pork: Despite some cultural and religious considerations, there's a substantial and growing demand for pork and its by-products across Nigeria, especially in the southern regions. This consistent market demand encourages the supply of the product.

● Fast Growth Rate and High Prolificacy: Pigs are known for their rapid growth and high reproductive rates. A single sow can produce multiple litters per year, with each litter typically yielding 8-12 piglets. This allows for multiple sales opportunities within a year, accelerating cash flow. Also, piglets can reach market weight within 5-7 months.

● Good Feed Conversion Ratio: Pigs are efficient converters of feed into meat, meaning they can gain weight quickly on relatively less feed compared to some other livestock.

● Diverse Revenue Streams: Beyond selling live pigs or pork meat, farmers can also generate income from by-products like pig manure, which can be processed into organic fertilizer, and in some cases, even biogas for energy.

● Lucrative Returns on Investment: Studies and practical experiences indicate that pig farming can offer a high return on investment. Small-scale ventures can start with relatively modest capital, with potential for significant returns.

● Economic Contribution: Very importantly, pig farming contributes to food security, poverty alleviation, and rural economic development in Nigeria by providing employment and a source of animal protein.

These are a few profits from many more. It is important that we learn more about piggery to properly manage it. What other profits can you think of?

07/07/2025

Our Primary school Outreach in collaboration with Benue One-Health Network and Vet Konect
Spreading the knowledge about Zoonotic Disease.

07/07/2025

Farrowing Hysteria in Pigs: Understanding and Managing a Risky Vice

Farrowing hysteria is an abnormal behavioral condition observed in some sows shortly before, during, or after farrowing (giving birth). It is marked by extreme agitation, aggression, restlessness, and disorientation. In severe cases, sows may trample or savagely attack their own piglets, posing serious welfare and economic concerns.

🧠 Causes of Farrowing Hysteria

The exact cause is not fully understood, but several factors contribute:

Stress and fear during farrowing, especially in first-time gilts

Poor handling by humans or excessive noise

Pain or discomfort, such as from dystocia (difficult birth)

Nutritional deficiencies, especially of calcium or magnesium

Inadequate environment – cramped, hot, or unfamiliar farrowing pens

⚠️ Signs to Watch For

Repeated getting up and lying down

Constant kicking or biting at piglets

Loud squealing or vocalization

Refusal to nurse or settle

🛠️ Management and Prevention

1. Stress Reduction
Provide calm, quiet, and familiar surroundings as farrowing approaches. Avoid loud noises or sudden changes.

2. Proper Handling
Use gentle, low-stress techniques when interacting with pregnant sows. Limit interference during farrowing unless medically necessary.

3. Nutrition Support
Ensure balanced feeding, especially in the final weeks of gestation. Supplement with calcium and magnesium if needed.

4. Pain Relief
Consult a vet about appropriate use of pain relievers or sedatives for anxious or aggressive sows.

5. Culling Chronic Cases
Sows with repeated episodes may need to be removed from the breeding herd to prevent piglet loss.

✅ Conclusion

Farrowing hysteria is a dangerous but manageable condition. By creating a low-stress environment, ensuring proper nutrition, and handling sows with care, farmers can protect piglets and promote sow welfare—leading to healthier litters and better productivity.

05/07/2025

Pig Housing: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Pig housing is a critical aspect of pig farming, impacting animal welfare, health, and productivity. Well-designed pig housing can improve growth rates, reduce disease incidence, and enhance overall farm efficiency.

Types of Pig Housing
1. Indoor housing: Pigs are kept indoors, often in climate-controlled environments.
2. Outdoor housing: Pigs are kept outdoors, often in pens or paddocks.
3. Free-range housing: Pigs have access to outdoor areas and can roam freely.

Design Considerations
1. Space allowance: Adequate space is essential for pig comfort and welfare.
2. Ventilation: Proper ventilation helps maintain air quality and reduce disease risk.
3. Temperature control: Pigs are sensitive to temperature extremes, so housing should provide adequate heating or cooling.
4. Flooring: Flooring should be comfortable, durable, and easy to clean.
5. Feeding and watering systems: Efficient feeding and watering systems are crucial for pig health and productivity.

Benefits of Good Pig Housing
1. Improved animal welfare: Good housing reduces stress and promotes pig comfort.
2. Increased productivity: Well-designed housing can improve growth rates and feed efficiency.
3. Reduced disease incidence: Proper ventilation and sanitation can reduce disease risk.
4. Enhanced farm efficiency: Good housing can streamline farm operations and reduce labor costs.

Challenges and Opportunities
1. Balancing animal welfare and economic viability: Pig housing design must balance animal welfare needs with economic constraints.
2. Environmental sustainability: Pig housing should minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.
3. Technological advancements: Incorporating technology, such as automation and monitoring systems, can improve pig housing efficiency and animal welfare.

In our current settlement and localities, the farm design of pig housing is usually bypassed as far as the pig has a pen to stay in but by prioritizing pig housing design and management, farmers can promote animal welfare, improve productivity, and enhance farm efficiency.

01/07/2025

Deworming in Pig Farming: A Key to Healthy and Profitable Herds

Deworming is a cornerstone of effective pig farming, crucial for maintaining herd health, ensuring optimal growth rates, and maximizing profitability. Internal parasites, such as roundworms, whipworms, and nodular worms, are common threats that compromise feed efficiency, suppress immunity, and increase susceptibility to diseases.

Why Deworming Matters

Parasites like Ascaris suum (large roundworm) can damage internal organs and hinder nutrient absorption, leading to poor weight gain and reduced productivity. Young piglets and pregnant sows are especially vulnerable. Left untreated, worm infestations can lead to significant economic losses due to increased mortality and lower carcass quality.

Effective Deworming Practices

A strategic deworming schedule should begin early in a pig’s life. Piglets are typically dewormed at 2–3 weeks of age, with follow-up treatments every few weeks if needed. Sows should be dewormed two weeks before farrowing to prevent transmission to piglets, while growing pigs and boars benefit from treatments every 6–8 weeks, based on risk and parasite load.

Commonly used anthelmintics include ivermectin, fenbendazole, and levamisole—administered via injection, feed, or water. Rotation of drug classes is advised to avoid resistance.

Prevention Goes Hand-in-Hand

Deworming is most effective when paired with good hygiene and biosecurity. Keeping pens dry and clean, managing manure, and avoiding overcrowding reduces reinfection. Regular f***l exams help monitor parasite levels and fine-tune control strategies.

Conclusion

Consistent, targeted deworming is not just a health measure—it's an investment in productivity. By combining timely treatments with sound management, pig farmers can protect their herds, boost performance, and safeguard their bottom line.

23/06/2025

🐾 TAIL DOCKING: What Every Farmer and Pet Owner Should Know 🐶✂️

Tail docking is the removal of a portion of an animal’s tail, often done in livestock like pigs, sheep, and dogs. But while it’s a common practice, do you really know the WHY, HOW, and ETHICS behind it?

🔍 Why is Tail Docking Done?

✅ Hygiene & Health: In pigs and sheep, tail docking is used to reduce the risk of tail biting and flystrike (a painful maggot infestation caused by dirty tails).

✅ Breed Standards (Dogs): In some dog breeds, tails are docked to meet traditional appearance standards.

✅ Injury Prevention: Working dogs or animals in rugged environments may have their tails docked to prevent injury.

🚨 But here’s the catch...

Tail docking is painful, especially when done without anesthesia. It can affect the animal’s balance, communication, and overall welfare.

❗ **What Science and Animal Welfare Experts

Winner Edwin Farms Initiative

03/12/2025

17/07/2025

14/07/2025

11/07/2025

07/07/2025

07/07/2025

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01/07/2025

23/06/2025

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