Table 2. Management practices among farmers of indigenous poultry in North Central Nigeria.
| Management practice | Frequency (N = 419) | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Types of Poultry reared | ||
| Chickens | 217 | 51.8 |
| Turkeys | 37 | 8.8 |
| Ducks | 24 | 5.7 |
| Guinea fowls | 9 | 2.2 |
| Mixed | 132 | 33.5 |
| Flock size | ||
| 1–10 | 60 | 14.3 |
| 11–20 | 174 | 41.5 |
| 21–30 | 107 | 25.5 |
| over 30 | 78 | 18.6 |
| Purpose of rearing birds | ||
| Asset | 71 | 16.9 |
| Consumption | 113 | 27.1 |
| Income | 231 | 55.1 |
| Others | 4 | 0.9 |
| Age of birds in the flock | ||
| Less than 1month | 177 | 42.2 |
| 1–6 months | 209 | 49.9 |
| 7 months and above | 33 | 7.9 |
| Source of birds | ||
| Purchased from a neighbour | 241 | 57.5 |
| Gift | 50 | 11.9 |
| Inheritance | 99 | 23.6 |
| Others | 29 | 6.9 |
| Housing of birds | ||
| Yes | 174 | 41.5 |
| No | 245 | 58.5 |
| Poultry feed source | ||
| Commercial | 92 | 22.0 |
| Scavenge | 133 | 31.7 |
| Grains | 181 | 43.2 |
| Others | 13 | 3.1 |
| Feeding pattern | ||
| Once daily | 192 | 45.8 |
| Twice daily | 159 | 37.9 |
| Thrice daily | 19 | 4.5 |
| Others (Specify) | 49 | 11.7 |
| Source of drinking water for poultry | ||
| Boreholes | 63 | 15.0 |
| Streams, lakes, rivers etc. | 21 | 5.0 |
| Pipe borne water | 46 | 11.0 |
| Wells | 289 | 69.0 |
| Separate drinking point for poultry | ||
| Yes | 333 | 79.5 |
| No | 86 | 20.5 |
| Other Animals kept by farmers | ||
| None | 132 | 31.5 |
| Pets (dogs/cats) | 47 | 11.2 |
| Ruminants | 165 | 39.4 |
| Swine | 20 | 4.8 |
| Mixed | 55 | 13.1 |