Skills Needed in Rabbit Production by Retired University Lecturers for Sustainable Income Generation in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

1Ndem, Joseph. U., 2Imobighe Mabel. U., 3Okpara Catherine M. & 4Nwovu Charles.

Authors

1Ndem, Joseph. U., 2Imobighe Mabel. U., 3Okpara Catherine M. & 4Nwovu Charles. Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki. Department of Vocational Education, Delta State University, Abraka Vocational and Technical Education Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Abakaliki Department of Agricultural Education, Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo. Author

Abstract

The study evolved skills needed by retired university lecturers in rabbit production for income in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Specifically, it determined skills needed by university lecturers in housing, feeding and disease control in rabbit production. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study was 78 rabbit farmers and Animal science lecturers. Survey research method was adopted in this study. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level significance. Results show that 13 rabbit housing skills need by the retired university lecturers. These include, among others, understand environmental conditions of areas/sites for housing ( = 3.46), install noisy alarms such as bell, chimes and gongs for security ( = 3.42), select conducive site ( = 3.63). Other findings are 13 skills on feeding of rabbits. These include, supply water to the rabbit ( = 3.77), feed rabbits at the right time ( = 3.65), was and clean of feeder and drinker ( = 3.60). Further findings are 10 diseases control skills, including administer drugs ( = 3.45), spray insecticide without affecting the birds identify the causative agent of diseases, (pathogens: fungi, bacteria, nematode, protozoa and environmental factors) ( = 3.44), carry out routine cleaning exercise ( = 3.41). Based on the findings, three recommendations were made.