Department of Applied Microbiology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(02), 683-691
Received on 29 December 2023; revised on 05 February 2024; accepted on 09 February 2024
Parasites constitute a major obstacle to poultry production, leading to significant losses in many poultry farms. The study examined the prevalence of ectoparasites on healthy poultry chickens in eight selected poultry farms in Agbani, Enugu State between the months of February and March 2023. A total of 300 chickens were examined from local and commercial farms. The farms comprised of 5 free-breed local farms (115 birds) and 3 commercial farms (185 birds) . Each of the sampled bird was placed on a white sheet of paper and examined for ectoparasite by ruffling the feathers with fine blunt toothed brush. Different parts of the body were thoroughly examined and in some cases with the aid of hand lens. Ectoparasites that fell on the paper were collected for further identification. The results showed that out of the 300 chickens sampled 130(43.3%) were found positive with ectoparasites. Two group of ectoparasites were identified from the sampled farms which were lice and mite. Lice occurred more in prevalence at 125(41.6%) in local farms than in commercial farms. Four species of lice identified were Liperus caponis (wing lice at 54(41.5%), Goniodes gigas (large chicken lies) at 33(25.3%), Menopon gallinae (shaft lice) at 31(23.8%) and Goniocotes gallinae (fluff lice) at 7(5.3%) while the two species of mite identified were Dermanyssus gallinae (red mite) at 4(3%) and Knemidocoptes mutans (scaly leg mite) at 1(0.7%). Multiple infestations of lice and mites were encountered only in local farms L2: 20(90%) lice, 2(9%) mite; L4: 18(90%) lice, 2(10%) mite and L5: 17(94%) lice, 1(5%) mite. The study indicated that ectoparasites were highly prevalent in free-breed local chicken and may be associated with poor hygienic practices. Therefore, application of integrated control strategy, good management practices and high level of proper hygiene practices are recommended.
Ectoparasites; Infestation; Poultry; Hygiene; Prevalence
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Kelechi Nkechinyere Mbah-Omeje. Ectoparasitic profile of apparently healthy chicken in Agbani, Enugu State, Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(2), 683-691. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.2.0871