Prevalence of Ectoparasites Infestation of Chicken in Three Poultry Farms in Awka
Omaka Onyekachi *
Maeve Academic Research Laboratory, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study examined the Prevalence of Ectoparasites on poultry chicken in three selected poultry farms in Awka and Mgbakwu towns, Awka South and Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State between the month of June and August 2017. A total of 300 chickens were examined in the three poultry farms namely; Aroma poultry farm, Chidoka poultry farm and Polytechnic Mgbakwu poultry farm. Both the skin and plugged feathers were thoroughly searched for the presence of ectoparasites, all the ectoparasites found were collected into specimen bottle and are identified using a stereoscopic microscope. The result indicates that (52.0%) of the chicken haboured ectoparasites infestation with polytechnic Mgbakwu poultry farm which recorded the highest prevalence, followed by Chidoka poultry farm (38.1%) then by Aroma poultry farm (9.7%). The result showed higher infestation in female (53.3%) than males (46.6%). Ectoparasite specie encountered most was Menacanthus stramineus (33.3%) followed by Echinophaga gallinacean (29.1%). The ages of the chicken ranges from chicks (1 week old) to layers (9 month old). The study also showed that at (p>0.05%) significance, the infection of the ectoparasite on the chicken were not dependent on sex but there were high significant difference on ages of the chicken at (p<0.05%). Therefore, application of integrated control strategy, good management practices and high level of proper hygiene practices were recommended.
Keywords: Prevalence, ectoparasites, infestation, chicken and poultry farms