Ecto and Gastrointestinal Parasites of Gallus gallus domesticus in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The poultry industry plays a key role in the economic development of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. It is regarded as the fastest  way to solve the problem of protein deficiency in the region; however, parasitic diseases threaten the economy and health of  chickens. In this study, we examined chickens' gastrointestinal tract and ectoparasite to increase awareness of poultry parasites disrupting the parasite lifecycle. Four hundred and fifty-nine intestinal tracts were collected at the slaughter point for gastrointestinal  parasite screening using formal-ether concentration techniques and saturated sodium chloride floatation techniques, and 300 chickens  were assessed for ectoparasite collection. A skin scraping was performed on each chicken using a sterilised scalpel blade, and feathers  were plucked from areas such as the vent, neck, and under the wings, where ectoparasites were predilected. Findings in the study  showed that the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites; cestode, nematode, and protozoan, was 76 %, and a prevalence of 57 % for  ectoparasites; mites, lice, ticks, and fleas, encountered in the study. The high prevalence of parasites in the chicken population highlights  the multifaceted potential of the spread of parasites in the environment and the challenges of the proximity of chickens to humans and underscores the urgent need to implement strategic interventions for sustainable poultry health.