Imagine a society where the health and welfare of farmed animals are given top priority, devoid of suffering and allowing them to exhibit their natural behaviours. This isn’t just a dream, it’s the future we are working towards.
On 8 January 2025, the One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) successfully hosted a Hen Welfare and Cage-Free Advocacy Workshop at the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Secretariat in Kwara State. The event stands as yet another milestone in our mission to improve hen welfare and promote compassionate farming practices across Nigeria.
The workshop was a resounding success, drawing more than 120 farmers, and some relevant government stakeholders. The participants engaged in vital discussions on pressing topics, including animal welfare, the current state of hen welfare practices in Nigeria, compassion in farming practices, and actionable steps to transition to cage-free farming systems. By the end of the session, 25 farmers expressed interest in transitioning to cage-free farming systems, showcasing the significant impact of the workshop. OHDI will be providing these farmers with the guidance and technical support required to make this transition happen seamlessly.
Why is there a need for improved hen welfare in Nigeria?
Hen welfare remains a significant challenge in Nigeria and across Africa. Our preliminary studies had revealed low awareness, knowledge, and perception regarding best animal welfare practices, including cage-free farming. Despite our tireless efforts in creating awareness in many parts of Nigeria, a lot of farmers are still unaware of the many welfare components of poultry operations and the benefits of cage-free housing systems. This underscores the high need for stakeholder engagement and capacity-building workshops like this one.
To drive home the point, the workshop provided an overview of the current challenges and opportunities in hen welfare, highlighting the best global hen welfare practices focusing on the five freedoms of animal welfare. The workshop also emphasized the importance of ethical farming practices and the long-term benefits of transitioning to cage-free systems, especially as the demand for ethical farm products is growing increasingly. Stakeholders were then encouraged to adopt sustainable farming practices that prioritize the health and well-being of animals.
Scaling impact across Nigeria
The Kwara State workshop is part of an extensive series of engagements planned by OHDI to drive awareness and advocacy for cage-free farming systems in Nigeria. The next steps include hosting similar workshops in other states to reach more farmers and inspire the shift toward compassionate farming practices, just like we did in the previous year.
The success and participation recorded in this workshop underscores the growing interest and potential in our advocacy. With 25 farmers registering interest to transition, we are committed to providing ongoing support and resources to help farmers make this change.
As we continue to promote better standards for hen welfare, we call on all stakeholders, farmers, policymakers, and consumers to join us in building a more humane and sustainable poultry farming system in Nigeria. With each workshop, conversation, and farm that transitions to cage-free systems, we are building a compassionate and sustainable future.
