Ectoparasites Infestation and Its Associated Risk Factors in Village Chickens (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) in and Around Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria
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Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science Volume 1, Issue 1, 2017, PP 8-19 Ectoparasites Infestation and its Associated Risk Factors in Village Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in and Around Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria Jallailudeen Rabana Lawal1, Zainab Bukola Yusuf2, Jamila Dauda3, Yagana Ahmed Gazali4, Abdullahi Abubakar Biu5 1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 2Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 3Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 4Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 5Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. *Corresponding author: Jallailudeen Rabana Lawal, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. ABSTRACT A cross sectional study on the prevalence of ectoparasites and associated risk factors in village chickens was conducted in Potiskum Area of Yobe State between February, 2016 to November, 2016. Out of 400 village chickens of both sexes and ages that were examined, 338 (84.50%) were infested with ectoparasites. Four fauna of ectoparasites namely lice, flea, ticks and mites were found infesting village chickens at different predilection sites on the bodies of the infested chickens in this study. The most prevalent species of ectoparasites identified was Lipeurus caponis (40.25%) followed by Menacanthus stramineus (14.0%), Echidnophaga gallinacean (8.75%), Cnemidocoptes mutans (7.0%), Cnemidocoptes gallinae (5.0%), Argas persicus (4.50%), Menopon gallinae (2.75%) and Dermanyssus gallinae (2.25%) in a descending order. Results also revealed that 9.0% and 75.50% of the affected village chickens were infested with single and mixed species of ectoparasites. The difference in prevalence rate of ectoparasites in adult chicken (61.75%) was higher than in younger (22.75%) ones. The finding in age group showed that there was a statistical significant differences (P<0.05) in prevalence rate of ectoparasites infestation between adult and young chickens. The prevalence of ectoparasites was higher in female (46.25%) than in the male (38.25%); higher in village chickens reared under extensive management (64.75%) system than those reared under semi-intensive (19.75%) system. Ectoparasites infestation was found to be higher in village chickens sampled from the rural (56.25%) settlements than those sampled from the semi-urban (28.25%) settlements of the study area. There was no statistical significant difference (P>0.05) between male and female chicken, extensive management and semi-intensive managements systems as well as between rural and semi-urban settlements. Results of this study revealed that ectoparasites prevalence rate was higher during the rainy (49.0%) season than in the dry (35.50%) season of the sampling period. The finding in season showed that there was a statistical significant differences (P<0.05) in prevalence of ectoparasites between rainy and dry season. In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of ectoparasites in free range village chickens in Potiskum Area of Yobe State, therefore, adequate control and preventive measures should be put in place to curb the effect of the parasites on the productivity of village chickens. Keywords: Ectoparasites, Village chickens, infestation, Potiskum, Yobe State; INTRODUCTION one area of livestock production with significant contribution to human nutritional statue in many Poultry production plays significant socio developing countries in Africa (Assefa et al., economic roles in developing countries and it is 2017). The poultry production system also play Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science V1 ● I1 ● 2017 8 Ectoparasites infestation and its Associated Risk Factors in Village Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in and Around Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria an important role in poverty alleviation and job village chickens and its products in rural Nigeria creation for the most vulnerable women and of which suboptimal management, low genetic young people especially in the rural areas potential, poor housings, minimal veterinary (Aklilu et al., 2007; Wilson, 2010; ILRI, care, inadequate supplementary feeding problem 2014).Poultry edible products (meat and eggs) both in quality and quantitative terms, predation, has indeed become one of the most important accidents, theft and high morbidity and protein sources for man throughout the world mortality rate due to the menace of various due to limited social and religious taboos related disease are to be considered (El-Yuguda et al., to their production, marketing and consumption 2005; Nwanta et al., 2008; Bettridgea et al., compared to products from other livestock 2014). High losses of village chickens due to species such as beef and pork (Beyene et al., diseases pose a serious threat to food security 2014; Mohammed and Sunday, 2015). Poultry and livelihood of many rural families in Northern production is being subjected to great pressure Nigeria (Musa et al., 2008), especially those to satisfy the demand for animal protein states afflicted by rapid population growth due required by the continued increase in human to unconditioned influx of insurgency displaced population and also to have surplus for people. The prevalence of various diseases are international trade (FAO, 2008; Firaol et al., considered the most important factor limiting 2014; Sambo et al., 2015). The poultry the maximum productivity of the village production system can broadly be classified into chicken in Nigeria (Akintunde and Adeoti, two which consist of the exotic/commercial 2014; Mohammed and Sunday, 2015). Among poultry and the rural/village poultry production the diseases affecting adequate and maximum systems (Odenu et al., 2016). These two poultry productivity of village chickens, the effects of production systems involved the rearing of parasitic infection plays an important role various species of domesticated and semi (Yeshitila et al., 2011; Nafyad et al., 2015). domesticated birds species meant for diverse However, ectoparasites have been identified as importance of human livelihoods. Various the major impediment to chicken health domesticated poultry species such as ducks, worldwide owing to the direct and indirect losses turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pigeons and chickens they cause (Permin et al., 2002; Swai et al., are important in village poultry production 2007). Ectoparasites infestation can affect system. However, the chickens are the most chicken health directly by causing irritation, dominance in terms of population and popularity discomfort, tissue damage, blood loss leading to (Acamovic et al., 2005; Nyoni and Masika, anaemia, toxicosis, allergies and dermatitis, 2012). They are considered as one of the most which in turn alleviate quality and quantities of widely distributed poultry species and forms an meat and egg production (Bala et al., 2011; important agricultural activity available to most Hobbenaghi et al., 2012; Desoky et al., 2015; rural dwellers in most developing countries Zeryehun and Yohannes, 2015). In addition, including Nigeria (Akintunde et al., 2015; Lawal they act as mechanical or biological vectors et al., 2015; Mohammed and Sunday, 2015). transmitting number of pathogens such as Rickettsial, bacterial and viral diseases which Village chickens have also been reported to be may result to serious health derailment in chickens used for traditional sacrifices, ceremonies, and even human population (Bala et al., 2011; festivals in some cultures and have played an Asresie and Eshetu, 2015; George et al., 2015). active role in pest control (Alders et al., 2007), Several species of ectoparasites such as the flies, hence, they contribute significantly to the lice, mites, and ticks can infest and live on livelihoods of the most vulnerable rural domestic chickens (Yacob et al., 2009; Firaol et households (Nyoni and Masika, 2012). The al., 2014; Angyiereyiri et al., 2015). Several village chickens constitute the majority of the studies have analyzed the prevalence of chicken population in Northern Nigeria and are ectoparasites infestation in village chickens in mainly kept under extensive management system different parts of the Northern Nigeria (Bala et where they roam freely and scavenge for food al., 2011; Usman et al., 2012; Agbede, 2013; Audi (Musa et al., 2008). Their movement is and Asmau, 2014) including the Northeastern uncontrolled and they hardly receive any Nigeria States (Biu et al., 2012; Lawal et al., prophylactic treatment or vaccination against 2016).However, despite these various surveys common poultry disease (Duru et al., 2008; on the prevalent of ectoparasites in village Musa et al., 2008).Unfortunately, wide arrays of chickens in the northeastern, Nigeria, there is constraints affects the benefits derived from dearth of information on the prevalence of 9 Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science V1 ● I1 ● 2017 Ectoparasites infestation and its Associated Risk Factors in Village Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in and Around Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria ectoparasites of village chickens in Yobe State, (2005) for