A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF ECTOPARASITES IN GALLUS GALLUS DOMESTICUS (DOMESTIC CHICKEN) IN DUTSINMA LOCALGOVERNMENT AREA KATSINA STATE

摘要

A cross sectional study was conducted from January 2017 to July 2017 to estimate the prevalence of ectoparasites infestations in Dutsinma Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State as well as to assess the effects of host related risk factors (sex,coat colour, breed and age). Ectoparasite samples were randomly taken from 944 chickens and were examined by close inspection with naked eyes and magnifying hand lens. Out of the total chickens examined, the following species of ectoparasites were seen:Echidnophaga gallinacean (flea), Menacanthus stramineus (Lice), Argaspersicus (tick) and Musca domestica (House fly) with aprevalence of 0.53%, 0.32%, 4.24% and 18.01% respectively. The effect of host related risk factors on the prevalence of ectoparasite infestations did not show any significant differences (P>0.05) between sex, age group, coat colour and systems of production. The observed results of this study suggest that ectoparasite infestation is dominant in the study area.Therefore, effective preventive and control measures need to be instituted to mitigate the menace of ectoparasites in Dutsinma LGA.