The Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthes of Free Range Backyard Chicken (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) In Digalu Andtijo District, in Arsi Zone, Oromiya Region

Abstract

A study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthesof free range backyard chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Digalu andTijo District, in Arsi zone, Oromiya region. For this purpose of this study a total of 384, of which 340 (232 males and 112 females) chickens’ feces were sampled and subjected to coprological examination.In addition, 40(32males and 8 females) chickens were subjected to postmortem examination from December 2015 to April 2016. A simple salt floatation method was employed for fecal examination but postmortem examination was conducted by dissecting the GIT of chickens. The overall coproscopic examination prevalence and postmortem examination of chickens reared revealed prevalence of 72.4%, and82.5% respectively. During the investigation the main species of helminthes identified were Ascaridiagalli (38.37%), Heterakis gallinarmn (33.43%), Raillietina echinobothrida (13.8%), Raillietina tetragona (10.75%), Capillaria Species (10.17%),Syngamus trachea (8.13%) Davainea proglottina (7.55%), Raillietina cesticillus (6.25%), Choanotaenia infundibulum (5.46%) and Amoebotaenia cuneata(1.7%). The study revealed that there was high prevalence of intestinal parasites of domestic chicken in the study area. For reduction of the prevalence of the parasite there is a need to improve the management and disease control strategy of poultry to enhance their production and productivity.

Keywords: Chicken, Digalu and Tijo District, Free range, GIT helminthes, prevalence