ASSESSING THE PROFITABILITY AND CHOICE OF FEED-TYPE DETERMINANTS IN EGG PRODUCTION: EVIDENCE FROM ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Objective: This study investigates the determinants of profitability and the choice of feed type used for egg production in Ondo State, Nigeria. Methods: Primary data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques, multiple regression, and multinomial logit (MNL) models to evaluate the factors influencing profitability and feed choice among poultry farmers. Results: Findings indicate that 74% of respondents were male, 85.8% were married, and the average household size was four persons. A significant proportion (88.3%) of the farmers had access to loans, and most owned between 200–250 birds. Feed-related challenges were prevalent, with 82.5% citing poor feed quality as a major issue. The Return on Investment (ROI) for egg production was calculated at 3.85. Key factors influencing profitability included education level, age, access to loans, number of birds, feed choice, labour, and output quantity (p<0.05). The MNL model results revealed that marital status, age, number of birds, and profit significantly predicted feed choice (p<0.05). Specifically, being married, older, having a higher number of birds, and achieving higher profits increased the likelihood of using non-self-formulated feeds. These factors also positively influenced the likelihood of using both self-formulated and non-self-formulated feeds. Conclusion: Egg production is profitable in the area. Enhancing access to loans and investing in better feed quality are recommended to improve productivity and reduce unemployment.