The recent increase in the cost of poultry feed in the country has been forcing farmers to ration food for their birds.
Findings have shown that the cost of ingredients for the composition of poultry feeds, particularly maize, has increased by 100 per cent.
For instance, a 100kg bag of maize, which used to cost about N6, 000 in April 2016, is now being sold for about N12, 000.
Also, the cost of fish meal, another important ingredient in poultry feeds, has increased by 60 per cent. A kilogramme of fish meal that used to sell for N500 now costs about N800.
However, the price of egg in the market has not enjoyed similar increase.
Before the hike in the cost of poultry feed ingredients, a crate of eggs used to sell for N600. It is now being sold for between N650 and N700, depending on the egg size.
This development has led farmers to be rationing food for their birds or mixing their feeds with lesser nutritious ingredients.
This has consequently led to a drop in egg production as malnourished birds do not produce eggs maximally.
Findings also showed that the high cost of maize was due to low cultivation as a result of the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the north, recurring attacks by Fulani herdsmen and flooding.
This situation was confirmed in the 2016 Maize Outlook by a consulting firm, Novus Agro Nigeria Limited.