Prevalence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Local Chickens (Gallus Gallus Domestica) in Kano, Nigeria

The study was conducted to determine the gastrointestinal parasites of local chickens (Gallus gallus domestica) slaughtered at Chicken Market in Sabon-Titi junction along Panshekara Road, Kano State, Nigeria. A total of 220 (102 male and 118 female) faecal samples from the gastro-intestinal tracts of already slaughtered chicken were examined from March to September, 2015 using direct smear and sodium chloride floatation methods for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites and later examined under light microscope for morphological identification. The result showed that out of 220 samples examined, 181 which accounted for 82.3% found to be infected with one or more parasite. Higher infection rate was found among male (46.8%) than female (35.5%) chicken. The helminths species found were, Ascaridia galli (22.4%), Strongyloides avium (20.6%), Heterakis gallinarum (18.1%), Choanotaenia infundibulum (13.9%) and Raillietina echinobothrida (9.3%), while the gastrointestinal protozoan isolated is Coccidian spp (15.7%). Prevalence rate among male and female chicken is statistically not significant at p<0.05. There is need for a sustainable control strategy with a view to achieving improved control measures on poultry management system towards healthy production of livestock chickens for human consumption.

 Keywords: Gastrointestinal, Helminthes, Chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus, Kano.