HELMINTH FAUNA OF THE FIVE (5) PHENOTYPES OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN IN NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

With the rise in the rearing of local chicken in Nigeria, it becomes pertinent to study various aspects of diseases affecting this type of chicken. In this study five phenotypes (normal and frizzle feathered, wild type, naked and crested neck) of the Nigerian local chicken in Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria were screened for the helminth parasites. An overall prevalence of 84% (95% CI = 0.6473 to 0.9421) was recorded. The helminth fauna of the five phenotypes were observed to be made up of Ascaridia galli (OP 32%), Raillietina sp. (OP 64%) and Tetrameres sp. (OP 16%). Single and mixed infections were observed in the study; single infections of Raillietina sp. was the highest occurring (40%) while a mixed infection of Ascaridia galli and
Raillietina sp. occurred most (20%). Crested neck showed the highest prevalence (100%) of helminth infection (95% CI = 0.5109 to 1.0000) while the other four (4) phenotypes had 80% prevalence of helminth infections (95% CI = 0.3596 to 0.9797) each. The high prevalence reported across all the phenotypes was likely attributed to the poor management and feeding habit of the Nigerian local chicken. It is recommended that farmers practice better management and regular anthelmintic treatment of their birds.