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Effect of Extension Services on Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Poultry Housing Systems

Abstract

Improved poultry housing systems are essential for creating suitable conditions for poultry health, welfare, productivity, and efficient farm management. Proper housing protects birds from adverse weather conditions, predators, diseases, and other environmental hazards while providing adequate space, ventilation, lighting, sanitation, and feeding facilities. However, some poultry farmers may have limited knowledge of appropriate housing systems and management requirements. Agricultural extension services can provide farmers with relevant information, technical advice, training, and demonstrations to encourage the adoption of improved poultry housing systems. This study will examine the effect of extension services on farmers’ adoption of improved poultry housing systems. The study will assess the extent to which extension services influence farmers’ decisions to adopt recommended poultry housing practices. It will also examine the relationship between farmers’ access to extension information and their adoption of appropriate housing structures and management techniques. The study will focus on extension visits, poultry management training, farm demonstrations, advisory services, farmer meetings, and dissemination of technical information. Improved poultry housing practices to be assessed will include adequate floor space, proper ventilation, appropriate lighting, suitable roofing and flooring, effective drainage, appropriate stocking density, provision of feeding and watering facilities, waste disposal, sanitation, temperature management, predator protection, and biosecurity measures. The study will assess the extent to which farmers apply these practices in their poultry enterprises. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from poultry farmers using structured questionnaires designed to obtain information on extension contact, advisory services received, and adoption of improved poultry housing systems. The collected data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to determine the relationship between extension services and farmers’ adoption of improved poultry housing practices. The study is expected to reveal that regular access to extension services is associated with increased adoption of improved poultry housing systems. Farmers who receive relevant technical advice, practical training, and demonstrations may demonstrate greater adoption of appropriate ventilation, stocking density, sanitation, lighting, drainage, waste management, and biosecurity practices. The study may also identify challenges such as inadequate extension contact, limited financial resources, high construction costs, and limited access to suitable housing materials. The study will be useful to poultry farmers, agricultural extension agents, veterinary professionals, livestock development agencies, government institutions, non-governmental organisations, policymakers, and researchers. The findings may assist extension providers in designing practical training and advisory programmes that address farmers’ poultry housing needs. It may also support efforts to promote affordable housing systems that improve poultry health, productivity, and farm management. The study concludes that extension services can play an important role in promoting farmers’ adoption of improved poultry housing systems. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies strengthen farm visits, practical demonstrations, technical training, and advisory services on poultry housing. Extension programmes should provide farmers with practical information on affordable housing designs, ventilation, space requirements, sanitation, drainage, temperature control, waste management, and biosecurity to support improved poultry production.

Keywords: Extension services, poultry farmers, poultry housing, improved housing systems, farmers’ adoption, agricultural extension, poultry management, ventilation, stocking density, poultry sanitation, biosecurity, waste management, poultry welfare, poultry production, extension training.