Some poultry farmers in Calabar are worried over the low patronage of local poultry products in recent times.

The farmers expressed their concern in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday.

Mr. Eteng Ubi, whose poultry farm is located at No.42 Iso Ekpo St. Calabar, said the demand for chicken had drastically reduced as residents complained of lack of fund and hardship.

Ubi who had 420 chickens in his farm, also complained that the return on investment was not commensurate with the resources put in.

“Most families can no longer afford to include chicken in their meals.

“I used to sell 120 to 150 chickens per day to fast eateries and hotels, but the demand has reduced as I now sell only 40 to 50 chickens per day.

“I have not recorded high sales in the last two months, and my business is not moving forward.

“The process of breeding the chicken to consumption stage is not easy. The money spent on drugs and feeds are enormous and the profit now is minimal,” he said.

According to him, a broiler that goes for N1,200, takes seven weeks to mature for consumption, while the one bred for three months is sold for N3,000.

Another farmer, Mrs. Maria Ogban, who breeds chicken at No.19 Okon Etuk St. Calabar, said that the business was no longer profitable.

Ogban said that the price of a bag of Vital feeds had increased from N3, 400 to N4, 000.

She, however, noted: “My chicken business booms during the Christmas period because tourists all over the world come to Calabar to witness the annual Calabar Carnival.”

A customer, Ms. Eka Edim, said that she only needed chicken when she has guests in her hotel.

Edim said that she only places high demand for chicken during festivities such as Christmas and New Year as well as marriage celebrations and birthday parties. (NAN)

•Photo shows Poultry Farm