A REVIEW ON THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON POULTRY PRODUCTION: IMPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION IN NIGERIA

The objective of the paper was to review the effects of climate change on poultry production. The overview of the impact of climate change on agricultural production was highlighted, and explored the effects of climate change on poultry production. The paper revealed that, high temperature and rainfall & relative humidity had profound effects on poultry production, especially with regards to meat and egg production, outbreak of diseases, feed intake as well as on immune response system. The paper also, described the climate change adaptation practices used by poultry farmers to include dietary shifts, breeds suited to the local environment, appropriate housing and sanitation practices. Also, the birds must properly be confined so as to protect them from physical hazards, rain and extremes of heat and cold in order to enhance productivity and farmers should select poultry breeds that are adaptable to the kind of climate operating in their area. It was concluded that the climate change had negative effects on poultry production and despite the adaptation practices used, there were constraints to climate change adaptation by poultry farmers which include limited finance and poor management resulting in low productivity, high mortality rate and low income.