ASSESSMENT OF TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM (HOUSING, FEEDING, AND MARKETING) OF DOMESTIC CHICKEN WITHIN ZARIA METROPLIS

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the traditional production system of domestic chicken within Zaria metropolis in Kaduna State. The survey involved random distribution of questionnaires to fifteen (15) different households in seven areas which include Shika, Bomo, Sabongari, Samaru, Gaskiya, Tudun- jukun and Gelleysu. The households were chosen on the basis that they practice traditional method of domestic chicken production. One hundred and nine (109) questionnaires distributed and seventy one (71) were retrieved. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. The result shows that majority of the respondents (69.01%) involved were female, while 64.8% respondents were civil servants. Also 40.8% of the respondents had five years experience in domestic chicken production. Most of the respondents (69.0%) practiced the semi-intensive system of production. Majority of the farmers sell their bird at adult stage (29.6%). Furthermore most of the farmers (32.4%) sold their birds during festivities, while 32.4% do not have specific period for sales of their birds. In conclusion, the productivity of the chickens was sub-optimal and under small scale production meaning that people are leaving the domestic chicken production to the females who only prefer to sell at adult stage with some kept for family consumption.