The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has announced the approval and release of MoorBeta, a newly developed indigenous meat-type chicken breed aimed at enhancing poultry production and strengthening food security in the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said the breed was officially approved by the National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds Registration and Release Committee on March 26, 2026, at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to the ministry, MoorBeta is the outcome of over a decade of research by the poultry team at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, under Obafemi Awolowo University. The project involved crossbreeding indigenous and exotic meat-type chickens to achieve improved productivity.
The ministry noted that the new breed is particularly suitable for smallholder farmers, with the ability to adapt to diverse environmental conditions across Nigeria.
It explained that MoorBeta attains an average weight of about 2.8 kilogrammes within 10 weeks, while demonstrating efficient feed conversion and a survival rate exceeding 95 per cent.
Beyond growth performance, the ministry highlighted the breed’s consumer appeal, describing its meat as tender and juicy with minimal cooking loss. The chicken is predominantly white with patches of brown, black or red, and features a large comb and well-developed body, contributing to higher meat yield.
It also noted that the breed shows tolerance to heat stress, making it suitable for poultry production in tropical climates.
On its economic potential, the ministry disclosed that a 2025 cost analysis indicated that raising 100 MoorBeta birds could yield a net profit of over N278,000 within a 10-week production cycle, underscoring its viability for both small-scale and commercial farmers.
The ministry added that the introduction of MoorBeta aligns with ongoing efforts to improve local livestock breeds, boost productivity and enhance food and nutrition security nationwide.
Across Nigeria, farmers currently rear a mix of indigenous and exotic poultry, including Fulani and Yoruba chickens, as well as frizzle-feathered and naked-neck varieties, which are valued for their resilience.
Experts believe the MoorBeta breed could help bridge the gap between productivity and adaptability by combining the strengths of both local and exotic strains, especially as demand for poultry products continues to rise.
