Implication of Climatic Change on Poultry Production Among Small Scale Poultry Farmers in the Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of climate change on poultry production among small-scale poultry farmers in the Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The specific objectives were the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents and the implications of climatic change on poultry production in the study area. Community survey research was conducted using questionnaires administered to 100 respondents, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools. The results showed that most of the respondents were married and were female in the study area. The majority of the respondents agreed that the high mortality rate in poultry, decreased feed consumption, decreased productivity, and heat stress are the major implications of climatic change on poultry production in the study area. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made. Proper housing systems should be put in place by poultry farmers to avoid overcrowding. Prompt veterinary services should be made available to poultry farmers to help them have access for proper treatment of their poultry birds. Extension service delivery systems should be promptly carried out by Subject Matter Specialists (SMS), and poultry farmers should always make water available to their birds when due.