The Prevalence of Endoparasites of Local and Exotic Breeds of Domesticated Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) within Kaduna Metropolis

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of endoparasites among local and exotic breeds of chickens reared and slaughtered in three Local Government Areas within Kaduna metropolis. A total of one hundred and seven (107) intact fresh intestines were randomly sourced and examined. Direct smear technique was employed to isolate endoparasites (helminths and protozoans) from each faecal sample. The result revealed that Gongylonema ingluvicola, a nematode had the highest prevalence rate of 79.62% in the entire male population of both local and exotic breeds sampled and 71.69% in the entire female population sampled. The result revealed the overall prevalence of endoparasites to be 58.90% (63/107) among the chickens sampled within the study area. Local breeds had a higher prevalence rate of 68.78% than the exotic breeds (44.18%), thus there was a significant difference in infection (p<.05). Other species isolated in the males and females respectively include Ascaridia galli (38.88%; 22.64%), Syngamus trachea (7.40%; 3.77%), Strongyloides avium (7.40%; 35.85%), Heterakis sp. (24.1%; 3.77%), Raillietina sp. (14.81%; 49.1%), Gongylonema ingluvicola (79.62%; 71.69%), Hymenolepis sp. (3.70%; 1.89%), Davainea proglottina (3.70%; 3.77%), Capillaria sp. (1.85%; 1.89%) and a protozoan, Eimeria sp. (3.70%; 3.77%). The study area should be expanded and molecular identification of these parasites is necessary for confirmation.