Production constraints and mortality rate in poultry farms in Esan West LGA of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the production limitations and mortality rate among poultry farms in Esan west LGA, Edo state. Data obtained from 33 poultry farms randomly sampled from 5 villages in the study area were analyzed using frequency tables and correlation statistic. Results show that farmers faced severe production limitations particularly disease infestation with a mean value of 4.64, high feed cost (x = 3.98), prevalence of ineffective drugs (x = 3.74) and seasonal glut (x = 3.70). Mortality rate in the poultry farms was high with a percentage of 47%, largely caused by disease infection (x = 4.89), poor feeding (x = 3.86) and accidental death (x = 3.57). Disease infection (r = -0.572), high feed cost (r = - 98) and ineffectiveness of drugs administered (r = -0.386) exert significant effect on the production scale of respondents, while disease infection (r = 0.633) and poor feeding (0.399) were significantly (p<0.05) related to mortality level among poultry birds. Farmers should be linked to genuine drugs sources and encouraged to promptly report disease outbreak to veterinary doctors.

Keywords: poulty, production constraints, mortality

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 6 2005: 136-141