Fuel Usage in Poultry Brooding: A Study of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Council of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Brooding plays a vital role in chick survival and growth, requiring precise temperature regulation. However, increasing fuel costs and inefficiencies in conventional brooding systems pose serious challenges to poultry farmers, particularly in developing regions. This study examines fuel usage patterns, farmer characteristics, and key constraints affecting poultry brooding in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. A purposive and multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 60 poultry farmers from 10 communities. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The majority of farms (94%) operated 3–5 units, while 66.7% of farmers maintained stocking rates between 1 and 500 birds. Kerosene brooders were the predominant energy source (66.7%), followed by charcoal (25.0%) and gas brooders (8.3%), with no adoption of radiant tube heaters. Most respondents were male (62%) and aged between 20 and 40 years (72%). Key constraints identified included poor marketing infrastructure (40%), limited access to credit (32%), and low awareness of improved brooding technologies (18%). Poultry farmers largely depend on inefficient and costly fuel sources, underscoring the need for affordable, energy-efficient brooding alternatives to enhance productivity and sustainability.