Assessment of Poultry Production Systems Among Smallholder Farmers in Kaduna State

This study assesses the poultry production systems operated by smallholder farmers in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. Poultry farming is one of the most accessible livestock enterprises for resource-limited households, providing affordable animal protein and income generation opportunities. In Kaduna State, smallholder poultry production spans traditional extensive, semi-intensive, and improved intensive systems, but the distribution, productivity, and constraints of these systems have not been comprehensively documented. This study uses a descriptive survey design, collecting data from 200 smallholder poultry farmers in Zaria, Kachia, and Kaura local government areas through structured questionnaires. Variables assessed include flock size, breed type, housing system, feeding management, veterinary care access, mortality rate, egg production, and market participation. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis are applied. Findings reveal that 68 percent of sampled farmers operate traditional extensive systems using indigenous ecotype birds, with average flock sizes of 18 birds and mortality rates of 34 percent from Newcastle disease as the dominant health challenge. Improved exotic breeds are confined to 22 percent of farmers, who show significantly higher egg production and lower feed conversion ratios. Access to veterinary services is limited, with 74 percent of farmers relying on traditional herbal remedies. The study concludes that traditional extensive poultry farming in Kaduna State is economically important but constrained by disease management, nutrition, and market access challenges. It recommends village poultry health programmes and improved breed introduction through cooperative extension networks.

Keywords: poultry production, smallholder farmers, Kaduna State, Newcastle disease, breed improvement.