Helminthiasis: A substantial hindrance to profitable egg-production in the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus): A case study of commercial-poultry farms In Port Harcourt and its environs

Abstract

Helminthiasis of the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus: Galliformes) was  evaluated. Its hindrance to profitable table-eggs production by layer domestic-fowl was observed and analyzed. This study, carried-out between July 2012 and December  2012, was conducted amongst commercial poultry-farms in Port Harcourt and its  environs, covering the adjourning local government areas in Rivers State (namely; Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Obio-Akpor, Eleme, Oyigbo and Tai Local. A total of five hundred (500) egg-laying domestic-fowls from various farms were  investigated for helminthiasis at post mortem. Three hundred (300) birds were  observed to be infected with helminthes in their gastro-intestinal tracts. The helminthes suspected to have caused or contributed to the death and/or poor-performance of the birds in this study) were recovered and identified by a standard procedure. Recovered helminthes were identified as: Nematodes (such as Ascariclia species, Heterakis  species and Capillaria species) found in 295 birds, (98%), and cestodes (particularly Raillietina species) found in 5 birds (2%). No trematodes were found. The economic losses associated with helminthiasis in egg-producing domestic fowl production in Port Harcourt and its environs was estimated (based on the prevailing market prices) to be at least N65,000,000 per annum.