Anak is a commercial broiler strain used in Nigerian poultry production and research. Farmers should judge it by verified chick source, local performance records, feed use, survival, market weight and cost—not by appearance or a universal strain ranking.
Ask the hatchery for the exact product name, vaccination history and current management or performance guide. A generic white broiler photograph is not proof of strain.
What Nigerian research says
A Nigerian Journal of Animal Science study comparing Anak and Lohmann Brown broilers from day-old to 56 days reported stronger growth measurements for Anak within that experiment. The result applies to the birds and conditions studied; it does not prove Anak will outperform every modern strain on every farm.
Read the study: Comparative growth characteristics of two broiler strains.
Other Nigerian studies comparing commercial broilers show that strain, sex, feed type and environment can change growth, feed intake, FCR and mortality. Results from separate trials should not be combined into a universal winner table.
How to evaluate Anak chicks before buying
- Confirm hatchery identity and chick provenance.
- Request vaccination and delivery records.
- Ask nearby farms for same-source performance data.
- Compare day-old chick quality and uniformity.
- Check availability of technical support and replacement policy.
- Match the expected sale weight and age to your buyer.
Feeding Anak broilers
Use a complete broiler starter, optional grower and finisher programme suited to the supplied product. Do not invent an “Anak formula” from appearance or another strain’s table. Follow the hatchery or breeder guidance where available and measure your farm results.
Use the Broiler Feeding Programme and Starter Feed Guide.
Track growth by week
Weigh a representative sample weekly. Record average weight, weight spread, feed consumed, mortality and FCR. Use the Broiler Weight Chart and enter the verified target for the Anak product supplied.
Measure feed efficiency
FCR = feed consumed ÷ adjusted live-weight gain. Compare Anak with another strain only when both groups were raised at the same age, sex, feed, stocking density, health programme and environment.
Use the FCR Calculator, Feed Planner and Profit Calculator.
Anak versus Marshall and other strains
Do not assume one permanent ranking for growth, hardiness, survival or profit. One study may show an early advantage and another a different later result because feed, sex, climate, health and trial length differ. Compare cost per kilogram gained and saleable kilograms, not strain name alone.
Housing and health
Anak broilers require the same core controls as other commercial broilers: correct brooding, clean water, ventilation, dry litter, feeder space, biosecurity and a veterinary vaccination plan. Strain does not replace management.
Questions to ask after each batch
- Did the flock reach the planned sale weight and date?
- What were survival and cumulative mortality?
- How much feed was consumed?
- What were FCR and feed cost per kilogram gained?
- How uniform were the birds?
- What profit remained after all costs?
Final guidance
Anak can be evaluated as a commercial broiler option in Nigeria, but the decision should come from verified source information and comparable farm records. Buy traceable chicks, measure the flock and keep strain claims within the evidence.
