Comparative Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Chickens Slaughtered at Selected Abattoirs in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To determine the comparative prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in chickens slaughtered at selected abattoirs in Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional randomized study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at abattoirs in Aluu and Choba communities, Rivers State, Nigeria from January to June 2025. Methodology: After obtaining consent from the sellers and buyers, three hundred (300) intact guts were collected from slaughtered chickens in the sampled abattoirs, stored in sterile containers and transported to the laboratory for analysis. The age (weeks), sex and location of each chicken was recorded. Approximately 1.0 g of faecal sample from each gut was analysed using flotation and sedimentation techniques in combination with distilled water and examined for the presence of parasites under a light microscope at 10x and 40x objectives. Identification of gastrointestinal parasites was done using standard keys. All data generated were analysed statistically by IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 28.0 using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s Post Hoc as well as statistical results were considered significant at P<0.05. Results: In this study, an overall parasite prevalence of 38.7% was recorded; Choba and Aluu had prevalence values of 36.0% and 41.3% respectively. Based on sex, males and females had parasite prevalence values of 43.5% and 24.7% respectively. Based on age, 4 – 8 weeks, 9 – 13 weeks and ≥14 weeks had prevalence values of 45.4%, 32.1% and 16.1% respectively. Four species of parasites were identified in this study; Ascaridia galli (77), Heterakis gallinarum (43), Eimeria necatrix (39) and Strongyloides avium (17) with a total abundance of 176. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal parasites are still of veterinary importance (especially in poultry) based on findings in this study. Regular deworming and efficient poultry management practices will curb the detrimental effects of gastro-intestinal parasites in poultry.