Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Domestic Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo) Linnaeus, (1758) Slaughtered in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was carried out in Kaduna metropolis, northern Nigeria. The gastrointestinal tracts of 196 Turkeys comprising 114 males and 82 females were examined for gastrointestinal parasites. The gastrointestinal tracts were collected from five slaughter slabs in Kaduna. Out of the 196 gastrointestinal tracts examined, the overall prevalence of 113 (57.7%) was recorded. The parasite with the highest prevalence was Ascaridia .spp 51 (26.0%), followed by Eimeria 44 (22.45%), Subulura brumpti 7(3.6%) Raillietina .cesticillus 5 (2.6%), Heterakis gallinarum 2(1.0%) Choanotaenia infundibulum, Davainea meleagridis, Methroliasthes lucida and capillaria spp had the least prevalence of 1(0.5%). Higher prevalence was recorded in males (62.3%) than females (47.6%). Double infection was more common (32.1%) than single infection (22.9%), triple (26.02%), quadruple (13.1%) and pentaple infection had the least (5.1%).  Based on the prediction sites, small intestines harboured more parasites. No parasite was recovered in the proventriculus. There was statistically significant difference in prevalence rates between the sexes (p<0.05). Odd ratio (OR=1.8) value greater than one showed association between the prevalence of parasites and sex of the animal. Results of the study suggest that more attention be focused towards the improvement, management and care of domestic turkeys.

Keywords: gastrointestinal parasites, domestic turkeys, Kaduna State, Nigeria.