Assessment of Poultry Workers Management Competencies in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the perceived management competencies of poultry workers in Kwara state, Nigeria. The respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. The final stage involved a proportionate sampling of 70% of the sample population, and 156  respondents were selected. Results showed that the average age of the respondents was 26 and the majority (51.30percent) held a Senior  School Certificate. The majority (98.1 percent) of respondents received training after being hired, with monthly training being the  most common (49.4 percent). The average number of birds raised per worker was 5401. Despite this, the Borich's need assessment tool  revealed that the workers required training in bird debeaking (MWDS = 0.00981), disease prevention (MWDS = 0.00967), flock record  keeping (MWDS = 0.00919), identifying ecto-parasites (MWDS = 0.00839), identifying signs of disease (MWDS = 0.00788), and day-old chick  care (MWDS = 0.00737). It concludes that workers have competencies in some practices but not in others, and this study recommends  that poultry management trainings cover the identified practices for effective management.