Analysis of Small Scale Broiler Poultry Production in South East Nigeria, West Africa

The study analyzed the small scale broiler poultry production in South East Nigeria, West Africa. Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, the cost and returns of the enterprise, influence of socio-economic characteristics on Net income and challenges to production in the study area. Primary data used for the study was collected using well-structured questionnaire which was administered to 405 sampled broiler poultry farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistical tools (frequencies, percentages and means), enterprise budgeting techniques (Gross margin, Net return on investment, Gross Ratio) and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to analyze the data. Profitability Index (PI) was N0.26 which means that for every naira earned as revenue, 0.26kobo was returned to the farmer as net income. An R2 of .7770 explains 77.7% of the variability of the dependent variable. Four out of the ten parameters included in the model exerted statistic and significant influences on the amount of income realized. Major constraints to Broiler poultry production in the study area were high cost of feed, high cost of vaccines and high cost of day old chicks. Based on the study, the following recommendations are made; since broiler production is profitable, attention should be paid to the broiler farmers to ensure that best practices are adopted for sustainability in the agribusiness.