Poultry refers to domesticated avian species (birds) that are raised for their eggs and /or meat. It includes turkey, duck, geese, pheasant, quail, guinea fowl, pigeons and chickens. Chickens are the most abundant and commonly raised poultry. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommended that 35g out of the required minimum of 65-72g of reference protein should be obtained from animal products. However, the average animal protein intake per capita per day in Nigeria and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa fluctuate between 7.6 and 13.26g and this is widely acknowledged to be inadequate. Poultry, because of its enormous potentials, can be explored to bridge the animal protein shortage gap.
