Nigeria Approves MoorBeta Chicken to Boost Poultry Production

News in brief:

-Nigeria has approved the MoorBeta chicken, a new indigenous meat-type breed developed after over a decade of research.

-The breed grows to about 2.8kg in 10 weeks and offers strong profitability potential for smallholder and commercial poultry farmers.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has welcomed the approval and release of MoorBeta, a newly developed indigenous meat-type chicken designed to strengthen poultry production and improve food security in Nigeria.

The breed was approved for release and registration on March 26, 2026, by the National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds Registration and Release Committee during a meeting held at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Decade-Long Research Produced the Breed

MoorBeta was developed by the poultry research team of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, affiliated with Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

The research involved more than a decade of breeding using a combination of indigenous and exotic meat-type chickens to produce a resilient, high-performing variety.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development collaborated with the institute on the project and is represented on the release committee.

Strong Performance for Smallholder Farmers

According to researchers, the MoorBeta breed is particularly suited to smallholder farmers and can adapt to varying environmental conditions across Nigeria. The bird reaches an average live weight of about 2.8 kilogrammes within 10 weeks, while demonstrating improved feed efficiency and survival rates exceeding 95 per cent.

These characteristics are expected to enhance productivity and profitability for poultry farmers across the country.

Beyond its growth performance, MoorBeta possesses qualities attractive to both producers and consumers. The meat is described as tender and juicy, retaining quality with minimal cooking loss.

In appearance, the bird is predominantly white with speckles of brown, black or red, features a large single comb and has a well-developed body structure that supports higher meat yield.

Researchers also noted that the breed demonstrates strong tolerance to heat stress, making it suitable for poultry production in tropical climates.

Strong Economic Potential for Farmers

A 2025 cost analysis indicates that raising 100 MoorBeta birds can generate a net profit of more than ₦278,000 within a 10-week production cycle.

This profitability potential highlights the breed’s strong economic viability for both smallholder farmers and commercial poultry operators.

The introduction of MoorBeta forms part of broader efforts to improve local livestock genetics, boost productivity and strengthen food and nutrition security in Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development said it would continue to collaborate with research institutions and development partners to enhance livestock productivity and increase farmers’ incomes nationwide.