Qualitative Identification and Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Associated With Exotic Chickens (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) Slaughtered In Abakpa-Nike Market, Enugu South-East Nigeria

The focus of the study was a qualitative identification and prevalence of intestinal parasites associated with exotic chicken breeds slaughtered in Abakpa-Nike market, Enugu, South-East Nigeria. The population of the study comprised of all the exotic chickens slaughtered in Abakpa-Nike market, Enugu, South-East Nigeria. The area of the study was Abakpa-Nike, Enugu, South-East Nigeria. A total of two hundred intestinal contents (samples) of exotic chickens slaughtered in the Abakpa-Nike market were used for the study. It comprised 100 intestinal contents (samples) from broilers and old layers respectively. Five assistants (slaughter table owners) were involved in collecting the samples. Direct smear, simple flotation and sedimentation methods were used to prepare the intestinal contents (samples) for microscopic examination for parasite eggs and oocysts. Direct microscopy was used to observe the samples for eggs and oocysts at 40-100× magnification. Intestinal parasites identified were nematodes and protozoa. Specifically, the nematodes identified were Ascardia galli and Heterakis gallinarum. The protozoon identified as Eimeria spp. The researchers concluded that exotic chickens slaughtered in Abakpa-Nike market, Enugu, South-East Nigeria were associated with intestinal parasites. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in the slaughtered exotic chickens was 60(30%). The prevalence of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and Eimeria spp were found to be 32(16%), 20(10%), and 8(4%), respectively. It was found that the prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in broilers 32(32%) than in old layers 18(18%). Hence, the broilers are predisposed to intestinal parasite infection than the old layers. The researchers recommended that poultry farmers in Abakpa-Nike, Enugu State Nigeria should take adequate measures to control the parasites to avoid the consequences associated with the intestinal parasite infestation