As the Eid al-Fitr celebrations approach, the prices of chicken have surged in Bauchi State, with the cost of an average chicken rising to between N15,000 and N25,000.

The sharp increase has left many residents frustrated, with some opting for alternative meats such as beef or smaller livestock.

A resident, Ibrahim Sani, expressed disappointment over the situation, saying that the high cost of poultry forced him to reconsider his options.

He said, “With the way chicken prices have gone up, I have decided to buy beef or smaller animals for the Sallah celebration.’’

Similarly, a lecturer with the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi, Girema Sanda, noted that as poultry products become increasingly expensive, households and businesses struggle to afford them.

He said, ”The situation also raises concerns about the future of the industry in the state, with residents hopeful that government intervention or market adjustments will help stabilise prices in the near future.’’
Meanwhile, a poultry farmer, Zainab Hassan, attributed the price hike to the rising costs of poultry feed and production, citing the competition between humans and birds for food as a major factor.

According to her, a day-old chick now sells for N1,250, a drastic increase from the previous N300 price tag.

Additionally, the cost of a 25-kg bag of quality poultry feed has risen from N11, 000 to a staggering N26,000.

She added that many poultry farmers in the state had been forced to shut down their farms due to the unprofitability of the business, and turning to other ventures to sustain their livelihoods.

Another poultry owner, Ali Gashaka, lamented that the rising costs had made it difficult to break even, leading to a drastic drop in patronage.

(NAN)