The effect of seasonal variation on performance of egg type poultry: a case study of Mitchell farms, Mosogar, Delta state, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study was designed to find out the effect of seasonal variation on poultry in Delta State of Nigeria. The variables considered were mortality rate, feed intake, egg production and egg hatchability in the wet and dry seasons of the year. Secondary data were also collected from records kept in the farm. Sites 4AH1-BLK,SAK1-BLK,9H/BF and 10H/BF were used for the study with each having an average of 2,500-3,500 birds of the same breed and sex aged 1-9 weeks and 21-52 weeks. The records were grouped into dry season (October-March) and wet season (April-September) covering three years, 1991-1994. The analysis of the result showed that seasonal variation does not have any significant effect (P < 0.05) on mortality and reea intake in the two seasons. However, percentage ' egg production and egg hatchability revealed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two seasons, with a mean % egg production and hatchability of 74±.03 and 80.6 in the wet season and 53.67±0.01 and 55.9 respectively in the dry season. Recommendation is therfore made for proper planning which ensures the utilization of wet and dry season management practices to reduce the effect of high humidity and embient temperature on production.

Keywords: Chicken Production, Seasonal Variation, Hatchability