Project summary

In Nigeria, millions of chickens are sold daily through live bird markets, which remain the main source of poultry meat for households. Unfortunately, these markets often expose chickens to severe welfare challenges such as overcrowding, lack of water and shade, rough handling, and inhumane slaughter. These conditions not only cause unnecessary suffering but also compromise food safety, lower meat quality, and harm the livelihoods of small-scale traders and farmers.

This project, Improving Welfare Standards of Chickens in Live Bird Markets in Nigeria, aims to create practical and lasting improvements. We will train market workers, traders, and butchers in humane handling and slaughter methods, provide low-cost infrastructure such as shaded holding areas and water points, and advocate for simple welfare guidelines that markets can adopt. By addressing both human practices and market conditions, the project will reduce animal suffering, promote healthier food for consumers, and strengthen income opportunities for poultry sellers.

Together with donor support, this initiative will demonstrate that better welfare is not only possible but also beneficial for animals, people, and public health across Nigeria’s poultry value chain.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

Project Goals

The primary goal of this project is to improve the welfare standards of chickens in live bird markets in Nigeria by reducing suffering, enhancing food safety, and supporting livelihoods. Specifically, the project will:

1. Reduce stress and suffering of chickens during transport, handling, and slaughter.

2. Promote humane and welfare-friendly practices among traders, market workers, and butchers.

3. Strengthen food safety and meat quality for consumers through better welfare standards.

4. Build awareness and policy support for integrating animal welfare into market regulations.

How We Will Achieve These Goals

• Training & Capacity Building: Conduct workshops for traders, handlers, and butchers on humane handling, transportation, and slaughter practices.

• Infrastructure Support: Provide simple, low-cost welfare improvements such as shaded resting areas, water supply points, and improved holding cages.

• Demonstration Markets: Establish model welfare-friendly live bird markets that can be replicated in other Nigerian states.

• Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement: Work with veterinary authorities, market associations, and policymakers to develop and promote welfare guidelines.

• Awareness Campaigns: Use posters, leaflets, and radio jingles to sensitize traders and consumers about the benefits of improved chicken welfare.

How will this funding be used?

1. Training & Capacity Building – $8,000

   • Workshops for traders, market workers, and butchers in 2–3 live bird markets.

   • Training materials, venue, refreshments, and facilitators.

2. Infrastructure Improvements – $10,000

   • Provision of shaded resting areas, water points, and improved cages.

   • Basic equipment for humane handling and slaughter demonstrations.

3. Awareness & Outreach – $5,000

   • Design and printing of posters, leaflets, and market signs on chicken welfare.

   • Local radio programs to sensitize traders and consumers.

4. Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement – $4,000

   • Meetings with veterinary authorities, market associations, and policymakers.

   • Development of simple welfare guidelines for adoption in markets.

5. Personnel & Coordination – $5,000

   • Modest stipends for project coordinator, trainers, and market liaison.

   • Volunteer and community facilitator support.

6. Monitoring & Evaluation – $3,000

   • Baseline and endline assessments in target markets.

   • Data collection, reporting, and documentation of best practices.

     The total budget for this project is $35,000 USD. With this level of support, we can work in three live bird markets in Nigeria, combining training, infrastructure improvements, advocacy, and monitoring. This will allow us to establish model markets that demonstrate humane and practical welfare practices that can be scaled nationwide.

     If we receive the minimum funding of $15,000 USD, we would launch a smaller pilot project in one market. With this support, we could:

     • Train traders, butchers, and handlers on humane handling and slaughter.

     • Provide simple welfare improvements such as shaded areas and water access.

     • Run a modest awareness campaign with posters and flyers.

     This pilot would make a real difference for chickens and market workers in one location and provide a foundation for expansion.

     However, with the full $35,000 USD, we can:

     • Expand to three markets, reaching more traders and consumers.

     • Provide stronger infrastructure support, including improved holding cages and slaughter equipment.

     • Launch a wider advocacy campaign with veterinary authorities and market associations.

     • Carry out comprehensive monitoring and documentation to share best practices.

     In short, $15,000 creates a proof-of-concept, but $35,000 delivers a transformative program with broader reach, stronger sustainability, and nationwide influence.

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Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

The project will be led by Veterinarians for Animal Welfare (VAW), a nonprofit organization based in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Our team combines veterinary expertise, field experience, and community engagement capacity:

• Project Manager / Principal Investigator (Dr. Sadiq Surajo, DVM, MPH, MBA): Leads overall project implementation, veterinary supervision, and stakeholder engagement.

• Community Liaison Officer (Dr. Abdulrahman Idris Adam): Coordinates mobilization with local councils, religious leaders, and market associations to ensure high participation.

• Data & Monitoring Officer (Jabir Umar) : Responsible for data collection, reporting, and tracking progress against KPIs.

• Trainers (3) Dr. Anas Abdullahi Shittu, Dr. Haddasah Ibrahim, Dr. Ibrahim Isa Lago: Experienced veterinarians and para-veterinary staff who will conduct capacity-building workshops on humane handling and slaughter.

• Field Coordinator (Dr. Christopher Danladi) & Volunteers (5): Handle logistics, safe animal handling, and community outreach.

• Driver/Logistics Assistant (1): Manages clinic transport, equipment, and supplies.

What’s Your Track Record on Similar Projects?

Although VAW is a young organization (established in 2023), our team has already demonstrated impact through successful animal welfare interventions in Bauchi State:

• Rabies Prevention: Vaccinated over 5,000 dogs against rabies, reducing risks to both animals and humans.

• Livestock Welfare: Conducted training for livestock marketers on humane handling and transport.

• Wildlife & Conservation: Delivered workshops for ranchers at Yankari Game Reserve on conservation and animal welfare practices.

• Community Engagement: Worked with schools, local leaders, and market associations to raise awareness of the “Five Freedoms” of animal welfare.

These projects demonstrate our ability to mobilize communities, deliver veterinary services at scale, and integrate welfare education into public health and conservation initiatives. The project builds on this foundation by expanding our scope to underserved farmed animals.

Most Likely Causes of Project Failure

1. Low Participation from Traders and Butchers – Some market workers may resist changing long-standing practices.

2. Limited Market Infrastructure Support – If market authorities or associations do not permit changes (like building shaded areas or water points).

3. Funding or Resource Gaps – Insufficient resources to sustain welfare improvements beyond the project’s duration.

4. Weak Policy/Regulatory Backing – Without government or veterinary authority support, welfare guidelines may not be enforced.

Most Likely Outcomes if the Project Fails

• Continued Suffering of Chickens – Overcrowding, rough handling, and inhumane slaughter practices persist in live bird markets.

• Food Safety Risks Remain High – Poor welfare continues to contribute to contamination and poor meat quality.

• Missed Opportunity for Change – Traders and butchers remain unaware of low-cost welfare improvements that could also improve their income.

• Donor and Stakeholder Trust Affected – Failure to demonstrate progress may reduce future funding opportunities for similar animal welfare initiatives in Nigeria.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

In the past 12 months, Veterinarians for Animal Welfare (VAW) has not received direct financial support from external donors (0 USD raised). However, the organization has successfully implemented impactful animal welfare initiatives in Bauchi State through:

• Volunteer contributions: Veterinary professionals and students have donated their time and expertise.

• In-kind support: Community leaders, livestock marketers, and conservation partners have provided venues, mobilization, and logistical assistance.

• Self-funding by members: Core team members have contributed personal resources to carry out small-scale projects.

This demonstrates our team’s commitment, resourcefulness, and ability to deliver results even without formal funding. With donor support, VAW will be able to expand and scale these efforts to achieve measurable, sustainable impact.