THE PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN LOCAL CHICKENS SOLD AT GARKAWA TOWN IN MIKANG LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to detect and isolate gastro- intestinal parasites of local chickens (Gallus gallus domestica), sold at Garkawa market in Mikang Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. 112 chicken organs (such as gizzard, proventriculus, intestines etc.) were collected from 16 local Chickens and subjected to coprology tests Comprised 7 males (43.75%) and 9 females (56.25% )all from normal feathered, naked neck, frizzled feather and dwarf chickens. The result revealed 100% prevalence of Eimeria species, 68.75% prevalence of nematode species such as Ascari ahamulo (6.25%), Ascari diagalli (6.25%), Capillaria species (6.25%), Cyclopora species (18.75%), Gongylonemmaingluvicola(18.75%), Heterakis gallinarum (12.5) while cestode species had 25% which include Choanatamia infundibulum (6.25%), Echinostama species (6.25%), Hymenolepsis species (6.25%) and Strongyloids avium (6.25%). 9 of which 3 (18.75%) were males and 6(37.5%) were females. Prevalence rates among male and females chickens were 43.75% and 56.25% chickens between breeds were 31.25%, 25%, 25% and 18.75%prevalences of gastro intestinal parasites in the study area. Further studies to assess the prevalence and impact of gastrointestinal parasites on the health and productivity of chickens in the study area with larger sample size are recommended.