This study examined the Production Efficiency of Small Scale Broiler Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to estimate the technical efficiency of small scale broiler farmers and identify factors that influence technical efficiency among broiler farmers. The Study used multistage random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from a randomly selected sample of 120 small scale broiler farmers from Delta State, Nigeria. Descriptive Statistics, stochastic frontier production function and inefficiency effect model were used in analyzing the data. Among the findings were that 40% were aged between 21 and 30 years. 58% were male head households. 68% were married while 97% had formal education either at primary, secondary or tertiary level. The average household size was 6. 52% had farming experience between 6 and 1o years, with a mean experience of 8 years. 68% used the deep litter system. 33% had a stock size of between 41 and 60 broilers while 56% raised their birds for only 12 weeks. 60% of the respondents acquired land by place of residence. 85% bought feeds from the feed millers, 77% used personal savings while 78% used family labour. The stochastic frontier analysis showed that stock of bird and value of feed had positive sign and highly significant at 1% level of probability. The computed mean technical efficiency was 78% while the minimum and maximum efficiencies were 56% and 99% respectively. The technical inefficiency model showed that age and educational level had significant inverse relationship with technical inefficiency while credit access had significant positive relationship with technical inefficiency.

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgment iv

Abstract v

Table of contents vi

1.1 Background information 1

1.2 Statement of Problem 5

1.3 Objectives of the study 6

1.4 Research hypothesis 7

1.5 Justification of the study 7

2.1 Poultry development in Nigeria 9

2.2 Poultry Sub-sectors in Nigeria 10

2.3 Definition of Poultry 11

2.4 Small scale poultry production 11

2.5 Management of poultry Enterprise 12

2.6 Feeds/Nurition 13

2.7 Diseases and health control of poultry production 16

2.8 Productive efficiencies and their determinants: Empirical Evidence 17

2.9 Theoretical framework 20

2.10 Analytical framework 23

3.1 The study Area 28

3.2 Sampling Procedure 29

3.3 Method of Data Collection 29

3.4 Data Analysis 30

3.5 Model Specification 30

3.5.1 The Stochastic Frontier Production Function 30

3.5.2 Inefficiency Model 31

4.1 Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents 32

4.2 Management practices and acquisition of resources of the respondents 36

4.3 Efficiency Results 38

4.4 Determinants of Technical Efficiency in Broiler Production 39

4.5 Technical Efficiency Estimates 41

4.6 Constraints on Broiler Production 42

5.1 Summary of major findings 44

5.2 Conclusion 45

5.3 Recommendations 46

5.4 Contribution to Knowledge 46

5.5 Area of further Research 47