Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Domestic Chickens (Gallus gallus domestica) Slaughtered in Abattoir of Macks Farm Osara, Kogi State

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic chickens using the abattoir of Mack's farm Osara, Kogi state between January and March 2022. A total of 200 (100 exotic and 100 local breeds with 50 males and 50 females each) faecal samples from the gastro-intestinal tracts of already slaughtered chicken were examined from January to March 2022 using formol-ether concentration technique for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. Microscopic method was employed for morphological identification of parasite isolates. The result showed that of the 200 samples examined, 178 (89%) were found to be infected with one or more parasites. A higher infection rate of 90 (90%) was found in the local breed than in exotic breed 88(88%). The helminths species found were, Ascaridia galli 66(33.67%), Heterakis gallinarum 44(22.44%), Capillaria Spp 30(15.30%), Gongylonema ingluvocola 20(10.20%), Strongyloides avium 6(3.06%), Raillietina echinobrothrida 6(3.06%), Tricuris tricura 10(5.10%), Choanotaenia infundibulum 10(5.10%) and Coccidian spp 4(2.04%) while the gastrointestinal protozoan isolated was Coccidian spp 4(2.04%).

Conclusion: An insignificant difference in parasite prevalence (p >0.05) exists between exotic and local chicken, suggesting potential consumer exposure to infection through cross-infection. This study highlights the risk associated with consuming chicken from poorly managed poultry systems and establishes the need for policymaking toward improved poultry production.