Gastrointestinal Helminths of Local Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus Linnaeus) and Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) Slaughtered in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Free-range birds are exposed to a diverse array of parasitic infections during scavenging. For an effective control, confirmation of their presence is  important. The gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of chickens and guinea fowls slaughtered for human consumption in Maiduguri, Nigeria was surveyed. Of  the 210 of chickens and guinea fowl gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) examined, there were nematode ova in 41.9%. There were ova in 84.5% of the guinea  fowl tracts examined while ova were found in only 25.7% of the local chickens (p<0.05). Guinea fowls were 15.8 times more likely to be infected than local  chickens. Nematode ova identified were Ascaridia galli (84.1%), Subuluru brumpti (21.6%), Heterakis gallinarum (15.9%) and Strongyloides avium (1.1%).  The prevalence of nematode ova was higher in female birds (48.6%) than male (34.9%). A total of 30.5% of the samples had adult cestodes. They were  significantly more numerous (p<0.05) in local chickens (40.1%) than guinea fowls (5.2%). Raillietina specie were significantly more prevalent (p<0.05) than  Hymenolepis and Choanotaenia. Male birds were 2.42 times more likely to be infected than females. Prevalence of adult nematodes was 37.6%,  comprising of Ascaridia galli, Subulura brunpti and Heterakis gallinarum. Guinea fowls were 13.82 times more likely to be infected than local chickens. It  was concluded that guinea fowls were more likely to be infected with GI helminths than local chickens. Significantly more nematode (Ascaridia galli) ova  and adult were found in female birds than male. While adult cestodes (Raillietina) were significantly more numerous in local chickens than guinea fowls  with males twice more likely to be infected than females.