Ectoparasites found on intensively-reared chickens at semi-urban Emene in south-Eastern Nigeria
Keyword : Keywords: Chickens, intensive management, lice, fleas, infestation, re-infestation.
Author(s) : Okechukwu, Prisca C And Ikpeze, O.O
Abstract : Ectoparasites constitute major constraints to poultry enterprises in Nigeria. Chickens in MC, MZ, and GT farms at Emene were studied (July-December, 2018) to identify ectoparasite species, determine their infestation prevalence and associated risks. External surfaces of 450 chickens (140 chicks, 150 hens, and 160 broilers) purposively selected were systematically examined for ectoparasites. Subsequent identification was by Entomological Keys while data analyses in MS Excel version 2010 yielded Bar Charts with standard error bars indicating significant difference (p<0.05) between variables. Overall prevalence of 56.6% was 54.2, 56.6, and 58.7% for respective farms MC, MZ, and GT (p<0.05). Chicks in MC had prevalence of 28% but 40% in both MZ and GT. Hens had narrow range of prevalence (68–70%) but broilers differed significantly (p>0.05) in MZ (58.3%), MC (62.5%), and GT (80%). The overall prevalence of lice (52.2%) comprised Menopon gallinae (18.6%), Menacanthus stramineus (18%), Lipeurus caponis (10.4%), Gonocoites gallinae (5.1%), and flea Echidnophaga gallinacea (4.4%). Percentage distributions of the ectoparasites on body, neck, feathers and head of infested chickens were 45.9, 23.5, 22.7, and 7.8 respectively. Feather-perking, feather-loss, and restlessness observed among infested chickens could lead to reduced feed in-take, general debility, weight loss and low egg production. There is need for improved hygiene and adoption of modern management techniques to minimize Ectoparasitism in chickens. This paper also calls for urgent Research Funding on plant-derived systemic insecticides to control infestations and re-infestation of ectoparasites on chickens.