Assessment of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in local and exotic breeds of chickens at slaughter point in Kuje area council, Abuja.

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in local and exotic breeds of chicken slaughtered at Kuje Area Council slaughter slab, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria. From August to November, 2021, a total of 150 faecal samples obtained from 75 exotic breeds and 75 local breeds of slaughtered chickens were examined for gastrointestinal parasites using concentration flotation technique. Results revealed that 6 different gastrointestinal parasites eggs and oocysts were identified with a prevalence of 76.7%. These include 5 nematodes namely: Ascaridia spp (15.4%), Capillaria spp (10.0%), Heterakis spp (6.7%), Strongyloides spp (4.6%) and Syngamus spp (4.0%), and a protozoan – Eimeria spp (36.0%). Prevalence of GI parasitic infestation was significantly higher (p<0.05) in local (42.0%) than exotic breed (34.7%) of chickens. Also, females (51.3%) had a higher prevalence of infestation than males (25.4%) in both breeds of chickens. Eimeria spp and Ascaridia spp are major gastrointestinal parasites of both local and exotic chickens slaughtered in Kuje. Proper management practices such as biosecurity measures, hygienic feeding, cleaning drinking water and regular deworming, especially of local breed of chickens, are recommended for adequate reduction of infestation