Comparative analysis of battery cage and deep litter poultry housingsystems in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The studywas centered on the comparative analysis of battery cage and deep litterpoultry housing systems in Abia state, Nigeria. The study specifically examinedthe factors influencing the choice of poultry housing system in the study area;estimated the profitability of battery cage and deep litter system in the area;analyzed the determinants of profit in battery cage and deep litter systems respectively;and examined the constraints faced by poultry farmers in the area. Primary datasource was used for the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in theselection of 140 respondents. Descriptive statistics like frequency, tables,charts, etc; profitability index (cost and returns analysis) and multipleregression were the tools of analysis. From the cost and return analysis, itwas observed that both housing systems are profitable. The t test result showedthat housing system adopted for poultry farms have an effect on the profit.However, it was observed that farmers using deep litter system make more profitwhen compared to battery cage housing system. It was observed that battery cagesystem is more capital intensive when compared to deep litter system and this predisposesmost famers to favour deep litter housing system to battery cage system. Sex,marital status, education, mortality rate, cost of production, farm size,experience and access to credit were significant variables having varyingeffects on the profit of battery cage users while sex, household size,education, mortality, cost of production, farm size, experience were thesignificant variables influencing the returns of deep litter users in the studyarea. High cost of feeds, inadequateamenities, high interest rates, quality of stock etc. where the majorconstraints of poultry production in the area. The study recommends thatgovernments should subsidize the cost of feeds to make it affordable forfarmers in the study area.

The study wascentered on the comparative analysis of battery cage and deep litter poultryhousing systems in Abia state, Nigeria. The study specifically examined thefactors influencing the choice of poultry housing system in the study area;estimated the profitability of battery cage and deep litter system in the area;analyzed the determinants of profit in battery cage and deep litter systems respectively;and examined the constraints faced by poultry farmers in the area. Primary datasource was used for the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in theselection of 140 respondents. Descriptive statistics like frequency, tables,charts, etc; profitability index (cost and returns analysis) and multipleregression were the tools of analysis. From the cost and return analysis, itwas observed that both housing systems are profitable. The t test result showedthat housing system adopted for poultry farms have an effect on the profit.However, it was observed that farmers using deep litter system make more profitwhen compared to battery cage housing system. It was observed that battery cagesystem is more capital intensive when compared to deep litter system and this predisposesmost famers to favour deep litter housing system to battery cage system. Sex,marital status, education, mortality rate, cost of production, farm size,experience and access to credit were significant variables having varyingeffects on the profit of battery cage users while sex, household size,education, mortality, cost of production, farm size, experience were thesignificant variables influencing the returns of deep litter users in the studyarea. High cost of feeds, inadequateamenities, high interest rates, quality of stock etc. where the majorconstraints of poultry production in the area. The study recommends that governmentsshould subsidize the cost of feeds to make it affordable for farmers in thestudy area