An overview of poultry and livestock waste management practices in Ogun State, Nigeria

A structured, pre-tested and peer-reviewed questionnaire was used for collecting data pertaining to location, stock type and density, husbandry methods, feed sources, water sources for farm use and waste disposal methods, from 19 farms situated in 4 local government areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Of the farms 58% practiced mixed animal husbandry consisting of poultry birds, large and small ruminants, swine, rabbits and fish, while the remainder (42%) raised only chickens. The results also showed that 26% of the farms sun-dried and burned animal manure, 21% converted animal wastes into slurry that was flushed into nearby streams and rivers, 37% used the wastes as manure on farmlands or dumped them in bushes, garbage sites or open wastelands, while 16% of the farms practiced a combination of all these methods. It is concluded that animal waste management by poultry farmers in the state is inefficient, implying inadequate awareness of the potential negative impact of poor handling of animal wastes in the environment. There is a need for further studies to assess the magnitude of the risk posed to the environment, livestock and human health by poor animal waste management practices in the area.