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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 10, No. 1

Publication Date: February 25, 2022

DOI:10.14738/aivp.101.11525. Suleiman, M., & Yusuf, S. H. (2022). Prevalence of Ectoparasites Infesting Local Chickens in Selected Sub-Urban Communities

Around Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 31-38.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Prevalence of Ectoparasites Infesting Local Chickens in Selected

Sub-Urban Communities Around Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria

Suleiman, M.

Department of Biology, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Nigeria

Yusuf, S. H.

Department of Biology, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of ectoparasites infesting local

chickens in five sub-urban communities namely Babbar Ruga, Barhim, Kambarawa,

Modoji and Morawa, around Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria. Physical examination to

search for ectoparasites on both skin and feathers was performed and ectoparasite

species were identified. The prevalence was observed to be higher in Modoji and

Kambarawa than that of the other three communities. This study revealed that

there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in prevalence of ectoparasites

infesting local chickens among the five communities. Out of the mean number of 300

chickens examined, 73.66 (24.55%) harboured ectoparasites. Also, 8.78% of male

chickens were infested by ectoparasites which was not significantly (p > 0.05)

different from that of their female counterparts (10.78%). Local chickens within the

age group of 11 and above had the highest (8.33%) infestation, while those within

the age group of 0-5 had the least (3.00%). Findings of this study also showed the

prevalent rate of ticks and mites as 19.44 and 5.11%, respectively. Among the

ectoparasite species identified, Argas persicus had the highest prevalence (19.44%)

followed by Dermanyssus gallinae (3.11%) and Ornithonyssus syviarum (2.00%).

There is need for more investigations on ectoparasites infesting local chickens in

other parts of Katsina State, Nigeria.

Key words: Chickens, Ectoparasites, Management, Mites, Prevalence, Tick

INTRODUCTION

Indigenous domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domestica) variously referred to as local chickens,

back yard chickens or village chickens are type of domesticated fowl, a sub species of red jungle

fowl belonging to the family Phasianidae and order Galliformes [1]. In 2016, chicken

contributed 89 and 92% of the world poultry meat and egg production, respectively [2]. In

Nigeria, poultry production was estimated to be 160 million, with chickens comprising about

72.5 million out of which backyard poultry covers about of 43.4 million in 2012 [3].

Local chickens are mostly kept in small numbers and usually taken care of by women and

children. Domestic chickens contribute up to 15% to the Nigeria’s gross domestic product

(GDP) and accounts for 36% of total protein intake of the country in 2012 [4]. Chickens are

extremely important in providing valuable high quality protein, poverty alleviation, income and

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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 10, Issue 1, February-2022

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

food security [5]. Mismanagement of local chickens leads to consequences such as retardation

in growth, laying few eggs and high mortality [2].

Ectoparasites are critters that live primary on the outside of another animal. They may be

obligatory, programmed to feed on human hosts to complete their lifecycle, or facultative

parasites preferring to feed non human hosts, infesting humans only as accidental or dead-end

hosts [6]. Four major ectoparasites infesting poultry are Lice, mites, fleas and ticks. They feed

on feathers, dead skin, blood or scales and cause primarily loss in both growth and eggs

production [7].

The various ways of controlling ectoparasites are classified according to Agbede [8] as (i)

Ecological control which involves the modification of the environment of the parasite by

maintaining good sanitation; (ii) Biological control which are control through natural processes

which involves the release of predators; (iii) Chemical control which involves proper use of

insecticides such as high pressure spray treatment; (iv) Botanical control which involves the

use of insect traps and repellents. Application of such methods depends on the biological and

ecological characteristics of the ectoparasite and they may act directly, affecting mortality

and/or reproduction [9].

The aim of this research was to investigate the occurrences of ectoparasites infesting local

chickens and the management practices adopted by the local chicken breeders in some

communities around Katsina metropolis, Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Area

Study sites selected for this research are some communities around Katsina metropolis,

Nigeria. The communities included Babbar Ruga, Barhim, Kambarawa, Modoji and Morawa

(Figure 1).

Sampling Procedure

Sixty (60) local chickens were examined from Babbar Ruga community 3 chickens from each of

20 households) during a visiting period of July, August and September, 2019 which gave a total

of 180 chickens. The chickens were examined for ectoparasitic infestation using random

sampling method from among households who reared at least five chickens. They comprised of

both sexes of various age groups. The same procedure was followed for sampling from each of

the other villages, i.e. Barhim, Kambarawa, Modoji and Morawa.

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Suleiman, M., & Yusuf, S. H. (2022). Prevalence of Ectoparasites Infesting Local Chickens in Selected Sub-Urban Communities Around Katsina

Metropolis, Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 31-38.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.101.11525

Figure 1: Map of Katsina Showing the Five Sub-urban Communities Selected for the Study

Collection of Ectoparasites

Methods of Mata et al. [10] were adopted for sample collection. During this exercise, chicken’s

legs were tied with a rope and placed on a white tray. After restraining, chickens head, vent,

neck, leg, back, wattle, comb, and wing were examined by using naked eye and hand lens.

Ectoparasites were collected by parting the feathers by gently brushing the base of the feathers

with a fine soft brush and thumb forceps so as to prevent the chickens from injuries. All

potential ectoparasites collected were placed in clean sampling bottles. Each chicken examined

was assigned a serial number on the sampling bottle for easy identification. Bio data like sex,

age, and predilection sites of each chicken were recorded. The ectoparasites collected were

preserved in 70% ethanol in well labeled specimen bottles accordingly. Same procedure was

conducted to each of the five selected communities visited.

Identification of Ectoparasites

All types of ectoparasites collected were transported to the Biology Postgraduate Laboratory

of UMYUK and categorized accordingly. The preserved ectoparasites were identified on the

basis of their morphological characters as recommended by Soulsby [11]. The collected

ectoparasites were examined under dissecting microscope using 10 mag and each

morphological character was recorded for identification [12].

Determination of the Prevalence of Ectoparasites among Local Chickens

The prevalence of ectoparasites was determined according to Petrus et al. [13] as follows: