Assessment of the Constraints to Poultry Production among Poultry Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria

The present study assesses the constraints to poultry production among poultry farmers in delta state, Nigeria. The poultry industry as a profitable factor to boosting food security and nutrition, has become the leading supplier of efficient, high-quality animal proteins to the world. Poultry meat and eggs which is high in protein, provides several advantages relative to other sources of animal-based foods. Data were collected using structured questionnaire from 109 poultry farmers selected from the twenty-five (25) Local Government Areas of Delta State using simple sampling technique. Percentage and mean were used in data analysis. The poultry farmers reared predominantly the domestic fowls with greater emphasis on layers managed mainly in deep litter system of intensive production. The findings of this study revealed that the farmers reared mixed poultry species comprising in order the domestic fowls, turkeys, ducks and guinea fowl. The result is an indication that the domestic fowl was the poultry species predominantly reared in the state. The major constraints to poultry production were high cost of feeds and ingredients (M = 4. 66), high interest on loan (M = 4.57), inadequate finance (M = 4.47, unsteady power supply (M = 3.32), scarcity of farm credit (M = 4.19), absence of grandparent stock for quality day-old chicks (M = 4.11), inadequate livestock extension agents contact (M = 4.11). Other constraints were short term loan re-payment period (M = 3. 80), poor quality of commercial feeds (M = 3. 71), absence of requisite training (M = 3. 68), absence of collateral (M = 3.61), absence of processing and storage facilities (M = 3.61), high cost of vaccines and medication (M = 3.53), influence of climate (M = 352), losses due to predators, thieves and management hazards (M = 3,50), mortality due to poor management (M = 3.48), incidence of diseases and parasites (M = 3.46) and poor and inaccessible' public veterinary service delivery system (M = 3.33). It is well known that poultry may be utilized to alleviate poverty, and each endeavor and the choice to increase poultry production has a direct influence on the status of women. Recommendations for sustainable poultry production in Delta State and elsewhere were made. Keywords: Constraints, poultry production, Delta State, Nigeria, Africa.