An Assessment of Some Production and Management Profile of Indigenous Chickens of Bekwarra Cross River State Nigeria

A study was conducted in Bekwarra, Cross River State-Nigeria, to assess the production and management profile of indigenous chickens. A total of 208 households were painstakingly sampled across seven administrative council wards of the local government. Data obtained were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) analysis. Results showed that majority of indigenous Nigerian chickens are reared and survive under traditional scavenging system (64.40%), semi-intensive (29.80%) and (5.80%) intensive management system. They depend on weed seeds, crop residue and insects for growth, maintenance and production. Insects account for 3% of local chicken diet in extensive production model without compromising performance. Local birds under extensive system lay up to 3 clutches of 15 eggs per clutch and 45 eggs per hen per year. The predominant poultry diseases of local fowl were; Newcastle (47.70%) Infectious bursa disease 25.50%, Chronic respiratory disease (13.00%) and Fowl pox (8.70%).Mean mortality rate was 34.8±07%. Women owned 50.50%, men 30.30% and 19.20% of the chickens were owned by children respectively. Shelter construction for birds under intensive and semi-intensive system were carried out by men (75.50%), 17.80%, children and 6.70%, women. Water and feed supplement were provided by women 83.20%, children 11.50%and men 5.30%. Sanitation was carried out by women 53.80%, children 37.70% and men 8.20%. Live birds and poultry product were sold by women 47.10%, children 37.00% and men 15.50%. Bird sorting, brooding, and treatment were performed by women 74.60%, men 38.90% and experienced children 13.50%.The mean population of hen, cock, growers and chick owned per house hold were 5.1 ± 0.09, 3.4 ± 0.02, 4.1 ± 0.04 and 3.8 ± 0.03 respectively. Average live weight value of matured birds were 1.5±0.05kg hens and 2.0 ±𝟎. 𝟎𝟏kg cocks. The community survive mostly on livestock and crop production. 45.20% of the population were engage in crop and livestock production, 25.00 agribusiness, 15.30 civil servants, 5.80 self-employed, 5.30, and 3.40 fishing and 3.40% were students. They grow groundnut (36.10), 25.50 cassava, 16.80 yam, 8.70 maize, 6.70 rice and (2.40, 1.90, and 1.80%) grows cowpea, sorghum, and millet respectively. Low productivity in local fowl is due to poor management, nutritional deficiency, disease, parasitic attacks and low genetic potential. Uncontrolled contact between different flocks and scavenging in extensive and semi intensive production models increases disease prevalence leading to reduced egg production, body weight, and increased mortality and morbidity. No housing in extensive system expose birds to (harsh environment, disease factors, predators, theft and accident).Semi intensive system afford birds of moderately balance housing, health care and nutritional needs for better performance. Locally adapted chickens are not use to confinement. Majority of birds in total scavenging system come down with vitamin deficiency, and lack required nutrients for growth, maintenance and production. Therefore, providing shade at scavenging areas, health care, water and supplementary feed under extensive and semi intensive conditions could improve bird comfort and productivity.