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† Corresponding author 
© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 

CONSTRAINTS TO BROOD AND SELL POULTRY PRODUCTION AMONG 

FARMERS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA 

 

Onwubuya, E.A1 --- Ajani, E.N.2† --- Nenna M.G3 

1Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria 

2Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria 

3Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Anambra state University Igbariam Campus, Nigeria 

 

ABSTRACT 

The paper examined constraints to brood and sell poultry production among farmers in Enugu State, 

Nigeria. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of fourty (40) respondents. 

Data was analyzed using frequency, percentage and mean scores. Results of the study showed that the 

respondents were young, educated and have acquired some experience over the years and were able to finance 

the poultry enterprise through self-help efforts. The study further revealed a gap in the information service 

delivery of extension systems and the prospects observed were still below standard for extension expectations 

of the recent times in some rural areas of Nigeria. The respondents were highly constrained by high cost of 

feeds and raw materials (85.0%), poor extension agents’ contact (65.0%), inadequate drugs and veterinary 

services (65.0%), high infestation of diseases (60.0%) and difficulty in procurement of quality stocks 

(62.5%). It was concluded that Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) should integrate the 

activities of brood and sell poultry farmers into its programmes by providing the techniques involved to 

contact farmers. Efforts of government of Enugu State are highly needed in subsidizing farm inputs to 

farmers in order to ensure optimum productivity. 

Keywords: Prospects, Extension, Poultry production, Farmers, Enugu state, Nigeria. 

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Poultry keeping makes an important contribution to livelihoods of most vulnerable rural 

households in developing countries, Nigeria in particular. Poultry has become a popular industry 

for the small holders that have great contribution to the economy of Nigeria.  Low capital and 

short period of time is involved to make quick returns within weeks in brood and sell poultry 

production. The poultry profession has assumed greater importance in improving employment 

opportunity and animal food production [1]. 

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 
2015 Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 73-80 
ISSN(e): 2312-6418 
ISSN(p): 2313-3716 
DOI: 10.18488/journal.68/2015.2.2/68.2.73.80 
© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
 
 
 
 
 

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Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2015, 2(2): 73-80 

 

 
74 

© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

Animal protein is very essential for the growth, development and maintenance of human life. 

This suggests why in Nigeria, the problems confronting the livestock industry is how to increase 

the production of animal protein to feed the ever growing population. The protein intake in 

Nigeria according to Obioha [2] is grossly below the minimum standards of 20g and less than 

the minimum requirement by the National Research Council of the United States of America. 

In order to ensure adequate supply of protein to the rapidly growing population of Nigeria, 

the output of animal products has to be increased especially by short cycle animals such as rabbits, 

poultry, pigs, etc [3]. The development of poultry industry appears to be the fastest means of 

solving the problems of animal protein deficiency in the country. This is based on the special 

attributes of which includes short generation interval and rapid fecundity, rapid turnover of 

invested capital, small space requirement and low initial capital investment requirement [4]. 

A number of constraints to livestock development have been observed.  Among these are 

vectors and animal diseases, feed and feeding research and development, manpower training and 

utilization, lack of data and information, finance and small flock size Ibe [5]. Oladiro, et al. [6] 

reiterated that there is downward trend of poultry production, especially brood and sell enterprise 

which is attributed to a lot of factors such as high cost of feed and poor knowledge or experience 

in management of the enterprise. 

One of the ways to address these problems is through effective and efficient management of 

extension systems. This will ensure adoption and spread of innovation among farmers in rural 

areas. Also, with the increasing modern information technologies, farmers stand a better chance 

to access various and latest research information needed to enhance productivity. Ojo [7] 

stressed the need for improved poultry production technologies to be made available to brood and 

sell poultry farmers in order to raise their income as well as improve standard of living of 

members of their households. World Bank [8] observed that extension should forge new link to 

create a network for sharing knowledge and experience. In spite of several policy initiatives of the 

Federal Government of Nigeria manifested through different extension systems, the livestock 

sub-sector especially poultry has not recorded any significant growth due to the relative linkages 

and supports which characterized extension activities in this sector [9]. 

Brood and sell is a new poultry business which gives a day old chick a start in life until they 

are sold to other poultry farmers to rear up to market point. William [10] identified three major 

roles that livestock extension agents must play in the improvement of livestock production and 

management namely; 

1. dissemination of relevant research results to farmers; 

2. assisting farmers to make wise decision in livestock management; and 

3. getting the farmers into a frame of mind and attitude conducive to the acceptance of 

technological change. Also, farm and home visits (individual contact) method if properly 

harnessed appears to be one of the most popular extension teaching methods. 

The purpose of this study was therefore to examine constraints to brood and sell poultry 

production among farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. 



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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

Specifically, the objectives were to: 

a. identify socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; 

b. ascertain sources of information on poultry management among the respondents; 

c. identify extension services in brood and sell poultry production available to the 

respondents; and 

d. ascertain problems limiting the activities of brood and sell poultry farmers. 

 

2. METHODOLOGY 

The study was conducted in Nsukka Agricultural zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. The zone 

was selected purposively as a result of having greater number of poultry farmers involved in 

brood and sell. The population of the study comprises all the poultry farmers involved in brood 

and sell in five communities of Isi Uzo local government area in Nsukka Agricultural zone of 

Enugu State, Nigeria. The communities include; Eha-Amufu, Ikem, Mbu, Neke and Umualor. Isi-

Uzo Local Government Area is bounded in the North-West by Udenu L.G.A, in the South by 

Enugu-East L.G.A, North-East by Isi-Elu L.G.A of Ebonyi State. These communities were 

selected using simple random sampling technique. Eight (8) respondents in brood and sell poultry 

production were randomly selected in each of the five communities from a list of brood and sell 

poultry farmers obtained from the veterinary unit of Agriculture Department of Isi-Uzo L.G.A 

Headquarters at Ikem, giving a total of forty (40) respondents used for the study. 

Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from the respondents. 

Frequency, percentage and mean score were used for data analysis. 

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION  

3.1. Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Respondents 

 Distribution of respondents by sex in Table 1 showed that majority (70.0%) of the 

respondents was females while 30.0% were males. This is not far from expected as women in most 

traditional culture are known for keeping small livestock like poultry while the men folk keep 

larger livestock like goats, sheep and cattle. The Table also indicates that majority (65.0%) were 

within the ages of 31-40 years, 20.0% where aged between 41-50 years while 15.0% were in the 

age bracket of 21-30 years. The mean age of the respondents was 36 years. This indicates that the 

brood and sell poultry respondents were relatively young and middle aged. This is an added 

advantage for adoption and spreading of innovative practices since young people are likely to 

accept and serve better as agents of innovation transfer. The finding is supported by Onu, et al. 

[11] who noted that people in young ages were within a stage in life when their productivity 

would be at its peak given the enabling environment.  

Entries in Table 1 also revealed that 60.0% of the respondents had secondary education; 

25.0%  attended primary school, 10.0% had no formal education while 5.0% had ordinary National 

Diploma and above. The findings imply that the respondents were literate. This stresses the role 

of education in increasing the adoption of improved agricultural technologies as indicated by Ozor 



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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

and Madukwe [12]. Majority (75.0%) of the respondents had between 1-10 years experience of 

brood and sell poultry business while 10.0% had 1-5 years with a mean experience of about 7 

years. The finding is in agreement with Ozor and Madukwe [12] who observed that years of 

farming experience was positively correlated with adoption of innovation. The Table further 

showed that majority (65.0%) of the respondents obtain funds for their poultry production 

through personal savings, 27.5% source for funds from friends and relations, 5.0% from banks and 

2.5% obtain loan from government. This indicates that the respondents obtained funds through 

self-help efforts. Another implication is that they cannot meet up with the collateral required by 

banks to obtain loans. Data in Table 1 also indicate that majority (95.0%) of the respondents got 

their poultry from distributors of day old chicks while only very few (5.0%) got theirs from 

hatcheries.  

 

Table-1. Distribution of respondents according to socio-economic characteristics (n = 40) 

Socio-economic characteristics Frequency Percentage MeanScore 

Sex    

Male 12 30.0  
Female 28 70.0  
Age (years)    
12-30 6 15.0  
31-40 26 65.0  

41-50 8 20.0 36 
Educational qualification (years)    
No formal education 4 10.0  
Primary school 10 25.0  
Secondary school 24 60.0  

OND, NCE, HND/BSc 2 5.0  
Years of experience (years)    
1-5 10 25.0  
6-10 30 75.0  
11-15 - - 6.8 
Sources of fund    

Personal savings 26 65.0  
Loan from banks 2 5.0  
Loan from friends & relations 11 27.5  
Loan from government  1 2.5  
Sources of stock    

Distributors of day old Chicks 38 95.0  
Hatcheries  2 5.0  
Stocking rates    
0 – 500 28 70.0  
501 – 1000 10 25.0  
1001 – 2000 2 5.0 438 

Annual income (₦)    

20,000 – 25,000 2 5.0  
25,001 – 30,000 6 15.0  
30,001 – 35,000 10 25.0  
35,001 – 40,000 22 55.0 34,000.5 



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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

This implies that the respondents got day old chicks mostly from distributors who serve as 

middlemen; this may cause some problems for them in terms of hiking the prices. Also, 70.0% of 

the respondents kept a stock size of 0 - 500 birds; 25.0% kept between 501-1000 birds and only 

5.0% kept up to 1001-2000 birds. Majority (55.0%) earned an annual income of N35001 - N40,000 

while the remaining earned between N20,000-N35,000, annually. The mean annual income of the 

respondents was N34, 000.5. This finding indicates high economic returns, which would attract 

more people into the business, considering the initial capital investment involved and inducing 

diffusion of innovation. 

 

3.2. Sources of Information on Poultry Management 

Table 2 revealed that 32.5% obtained information from extension agents on poultry 

management while the rest 67.5% had from other sources. About 25% of the respondents got 

information from fellow poultry farmers, 15.0% got from day old chicks dealers, 10.0% got from 

veterinary doctors, among others. This indicates a gap which could be filled through 

intensification of extension service delivery. This finding gave credence to Davidson, et al. [13] 

who reported that three out of four Asian farmers had no contact with agricultural extension 

services. This necessitated the use of contact farmers to help disseminate information to other 

farmers in countries that practice T & V extension system. It was observed that mass media such 

as radio and television recorded low score. This confirms Agwu [14] who reported that mass 

media such as radio and television did not play a leading role in informing farmers about 

improved production technologies. 

 

Table-2. Distribution of respondents according to sources of information on poultry management (n = 40) 

Source of information           Frequency Percentage 

ADP extension agents 13 32.5 

Day old chicks dealers 6 15.0 
Fellow poultry farmers  10 25.0 
Radio and television  3 7.5 
Veterinary doctors 4 10.0 
Journals 2 5.0 

Livestock magazines 1 2.5 
Newspapers 1 2.5 

 

3.3. Extension Services Available to the Respondents on Brood and Sell Poultry 

Production 

Data in Table 3 revealed the available extension services to the respondents. It showed that 

the respondents received 30.0% information of research results from extension agents. This 

finding corroborates that of Santucci [15] who found that most Nigerian farmers depend on 

public agricultural extension agents for information from research centers. Others as perceived by 

the respondents include dissemination of innovation (22.5%), management decision (17.5%) and 

source of market (10.0%). The findings on supply of inputs and credit supports that of Santucci 



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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

[15] who reported that agricultural extension service agencies in Syria participate in farm input 

delivery and credit provision. This implies that prospects of extension services in improving 

brood and sell poultry production in the area needs to be addressed and intensified in order to live 

up to its expectations and also enable the poultry farmers reap the dividend embodied in 

extension service delivery systems of the recent times. 

 

Table-3. Distribution of respondents according to available extension services on brood and sell poultry enterprise (n= 

40) 

Extension services Frequency Percentage 

Dissemination of research results 12 30 

Management decision 7 17.5 
Dissemination of innovation 9 22.5 
Supply of inputs and credits 2 5.0 
Provision of veterinary services 5 12.5 
Source of market  4 10.0 

 

3.4. Problems Limiting the Activities of Poultry Farmers 

Data in Table 4 showed constraint variables limiting the activities of brood and sell poultry 

enterprise. The major constraints include high cost of feeds and raw materials (85.0%), poor 

extension agents contact (65.0%), difficulty in procurement of quality stock (62.5%), high 

infestation of diseases (60.0%), while illiteracy, inadequate housing, lack of labour and 

inappropriate record keeping were regarded as minor constraints. The finding is in consonance 

with a study carried out by Soyoola [16] which revealed that high cost of feeds and raw materials 

have constrained poultry industry in Nigeria. Anyanwu, et al. [17] reiterated that low level of 

extension agents as a result of low extension agent/farmer ratio pose a serious problem to 

poultry farmers in Nigeria. 

 

Table-4. Distribution of respondents according to problems limiting the activities of poultry farmers (n= 40) 

Problems 
Major 
problem 

Moderate 
problem 

Minor 
Problem 

Illiteracy 5.0 15.0 80.0 
High cost of feeds and raw materials  85.0 10.0 10.0 
Inadequate drugs and veterinary services  65.0 20.0 15.0 

High infestation of diseases 60.0 30.0 10.0 
Difficulty in procurement of quality stock 62.5 25.0 12.5 
Inadequate housing 5.0 30.0 65.0 
Lack of labour 2.5 17.5 80.0 
Poor extension agents contact 65.0 25.0 10.0 
Inappropriate record keeping 10.0 10.0 80.0 

 

4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

The study found that the poultry enterprise was dominated by young, educated people who 

have acquired some experience which serves as an added advantage for acceptance of innovation 



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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

and adoption of modern technologies involved in brood and sell poultry production. Also, most of 

the farmers were able to finance the business through self-help efforts and got stocks mainly from 

distributors of day old chicks. The respondents were highly constrained by high cost of feeds and 

raw materials, poor extension agents’ contact, difficulty in procurement of quality stock, high 

infestation of diseases, among others. The study further showed that the prospects of extension 

service delivery systems in the area are beyond expectation when compared to the extension 

service delivery systems of the recent times. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended 

that Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) of Enugu State, Nigeria should develop a 

programme for brood and sell poultry farmers using contact farmers, which would ensure 

multiplier effects. Government should address the problems of the brood and sell poultry farmers 

by subsidizing farm inputs and encouraging them through provision of loans in order to increase 

productivity as well as enhancing household income. 

 

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[12] N. Ozor and M. C. Madukwe, "Obstacles to the adoption of improved rabbit technologies by small-

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