COVID-19 pandemic and effect on large scale poultry production: A case study of Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to examine the effect of COVID-19 on large scale poultry production in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state. Cross sectional data were obtained using a well structured questionnaire from one hundred large scale poultry farmers selected through a multi-stage random sampling technique. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis. The result obtained shows that majority of the farmers had 5000-6000 birds, used 1-5 labours and deep litter system to rear chicken in the study area. Increased production cost, transportation challenges and sales reduction were some of the qualitative effects of this pandemic on the farmer. The estimated gross margin value before the onset of COVID-19 was # 4,156,920 and after the onset was #2,543,975 signifying the adverse quantitative economic effect of COVID-19 on poultry production. It is therefore recommended that government should provide palliatives to relief these farmers.