VILLAGE CHICKEN FLOCK OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRAINTS IN KEANA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

A survey on Village chicken flock ownership, management and constraints in Keana local government area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, was carried out using structured questionnaires. One thousand, five hundred (1,500) flock owners were selected using multistage sampling techniques from six villages. Keana town has the highest chicken population (37.02%) followed by Kadarko, Giza, Aloshi, Kwara and Agaza with (24.66, 15.53, 9.06, 8.53 and 5.19% ) respectively. Majority (65.50% )of the flock owners were males while 31.50% are females. A total of 83.87 per cent of the village chicken population is under extensive management system. Breeding was generally uncontrolled. It also showed that the highest population of the village chicken (65.13%) roost on branches of tree at night as compare to 29.20 and 5.67% for those housed at one corner of the main family house and an overhang attached to the roof of the houses respectively. The result of the analysis also showed that major production constraints was diseases (52%) majorly (Newcastle disease, fowl cholera and fowl pox) which is followed by stealing, predators and parasites with 28, 12 and 8% respectively. Local method of treatment ranging from 43.53 to 66.41%, slaughter 4.69 to 28.08% and others sale, gift and no action are methods adopted for controlling diseased flocks. Adequate disease control measures through provision of health facilities and improved housing system are recommended for the communities.