Gastrointestinal parasitism in local and exotic breeds of chickens reared in Gwagwalada Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria

The present study was carried out to establish the gastrointestinal parasites in local and exotic breeds of chickens reared in Gwagwalada, Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria. It was conducted between July and September, 2014. Two hundred and eighty (280) faecal samples from local and exotic breeds of chicken and 50 intact whole intestines were collected randomly from seven (7) major towns (Gwagwalada, Dobi, Gwako, Giri, Anagada, Tungan Maje and Zuba) in Gwagwalada Area council and examined for gastrointestinal parasites using flotation and sedimentation methods. Six (6) different gastrointestinal parasite eggs and oocytes were identified in 42.5% of the birds examined. Of these parasites, Ascaridia species was found to be the most prevalent (36.1%) among the chickens. Other parasites encountered include; Eimeria oocytes (34.5%), Heterakis species (12.6%), Rallietina species 10.1%; Capillaria species (4.2%) and Syngamus species (2.5%). There were mixed infection of 1.4% among the infected birds. Interestingly, none of the birds examined was infected with trematodes There was no significant difference (p 0.05) in prevalence rate of infection between the local and exotic breeds of chickens. Although males had a higher prevalence of infection than the females in both breeds, there was no significant difference (p 0.05) in the prevalence of infection among sexes. However, there was significant difference (P 0.05) between the age groups, with highest infection occuring in growers (46.2%). 20 (40%) of the 50 intact whole intestines screened were positive for gastrointestinal parasites by gross examination of intestinal tract. Out of the 20 positive, 12 were nematodes, 3 cestodes and remaining 5 were mixed infections. Therefore, sustainable ways of controlling these parasites at a particular age and further studies on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in chicken need to be elucidated for improved intensive egg and poultry meat productions.