Study on Prevalence of Helminthes of Local Backyardand Exotic Chickens in and Around Ambowest Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted on local and exotic chickens in and around Ambo district of west show a zone Oromia regional state, Ethiopia, to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes infections and identify the involved parasitic species. A total of 265 local and 125 exotic chickens were purchased, scarified and their gastro intestinal tracts were examined for adult helminthes. The overall helminthes prevalence was 68.5% and mixed helminthes infections were found in 33% of birds. The study also found that 191 (49%) and 176 (45.1%) of chickens was infected by diverse species of nematodes and cestodes species, respectively. Four nematodes species were identified in the prevalence rate of Ascaridia galli (72.25%), Heterakis gallinarum (44.5%), Capillaria obsignata (5.23%) and Syngamus trachea (1.04%). The major cestodes species encountered were Rialletina tetragona (50%), Davenia proglotina (31.8%), Choanotaenia infundibulum (0.57%), Rialletina echinobothrida (11.93%), Amoebotaenia cuneata (1.13%) and Rialletina cesticillus (0.57%). There was statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the prevalence between breeds of chickens in which higher infection was observed in local breed (78.11%) than exotic breed (48%). There was also a statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in prevalence rate between the different management systems where there was higherinfection was observed in extensive management system (78.54%) compared to semi intensive management system (33.35%). The study also tried to see the prevalence of these parasites in relation with age and sex however, there is no significant differences (p>0.05) with this risk factors. This study strongly suggested that helminthes parasites are a very serious problem of local chickens in the study area and appropriate control and prevention strategies need to be applied.