EFFECT OF CLIMATE VARIABLES ON POULTRY PRODUCTION EFFICACY IN NIGERIA.

The paper examined the effect of climate variables on poultry production efficacy in Nigeria with emphasis on broilers and layers. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 401 poultry farmers who provided useful information with the aid of a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and logit regression model. Result shows that free range accounted for 22.7%, battery cage 11.2%, deep litter 54.6%, and semi-free range 11.5% were notable systems of poultry rearing in the state. Heat stress 75.1%, reduced egg 99.8% and meat production 88.5%, and reduction in quality of eggs 51.9% were some of the climate change effects on poultry production. Adaptation strategies of poultry farmers include; proper housing system 100%, proper feed formulation 99.8%, right stocking density 96.8% and adequate water and feed supply 82.8%. Age, education, off-farm activities, size of poultry pen and poultry farming experience were important adaptation determinants of poultry farmers to climate change. High price of feed 100%, lack of access to credit services 77.1%, disease outbreak and parasites 100% and high cost of poultry inputs 99.5% constrained poultry farming. The study concludes that climate variables affect poultry farming. Farmers were recommended to practice climate smart poultry production to mitigate adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]