Abstract
A study to identify and estimate the prevalence of parasites of local chickens in a semi arid area of Kenya was conducted between March 2005 and August 2006. Three hundred and sixty (360) local chickens purchased from Yathui division of Machakos were examined. Of those, 93.3% had helminths. Nematodes were recovered in 268 (74.4%) chickens whereas 245 (68.1%) had cestodes. Tetrameres americana (37.7%), Ascaridia galli (33.3%) and Heterakis gallinarum (22.8%) were the most important nematode species identified. Raillietina echinobothrida (33.3%) and Davainea proglottina (19.4%) were the two most important cestode species identified. Two coccidia species, namely Eimeria necatrix (6.7%) and E. tenella (16.7%) were isolated and identified as per location in the digestive system. Important ecto-parasites identified included Echidnophaga gallinacea (76.7%), Menacanthus stramineus (79.4%) and Dermanyssus gallinae (60.0%). Endo-parasites (helminths and coccidia) occurred in significantly (p < 0.05) higher frequencies during the wet season than during the dry season. On the contrary, ecto-parasites were significantly (p < 0.05) more fequent during the dry season. Male chickens generally exhibited increased odds for the occurrence of parasites than female birds. Further investigations are required to establish a plausible explanation for this. Overall, parasitism was a big constraint to chicken productivity in the study area. Urgent integrated parasite control approaches should be initiated to address parasitism in chickens in the Yathui cluster.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abebe, W., Asfaw, T., Genete, B. and Dorchies, P., 1997. Comparative studies of external parasites and gastro-intestinal helminths of chickens kept under different management system in and around Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Revue de Medicine Veterinaire 148, 497–500.
Abdul, S. and Rajavelu, G., 2000. Seasonal prevalence of coccidiosis in chicken at Namakkal (Tamil Nadu). Indian Veterinary Journal, 77, 163–164.
Dessie. T. and Ogle, B., 2001. Village poultry production systems in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 33 (6), 521–537.
Dougald, L.R., Fuller, L. and Mattiello, R., 1997. Avian Diseases, 41, 923–929.
Eshetu, Y., Mulualem, E., Ibrahim, H., Berhanu, A. and Aberra, K., 2001. Study of gastro-intestinal helminths of scavenging chickens in four rural districts of Amhara region, Ethiopia. Revue scientifique et technique de l’OIE 20 (3), 791–796.
Gordon, R.F. and Jordan, F.T.W., 1982. Poultry diseases, 2nd Ed. Bailliere Tindall, London, 11–197.
Irungu, L.W., Kimani, R, N. and Kisia, S, M., 2004. Helminth parasites in the intestinal tract of indigenous poultry in parts of Kenya. Journal of South Africa Veterinary Association, 75 (1), 58–59.
Kinung’hi, S.M., Tilahun, G., Hafez, H.M., Woldemeskel, M., Kyule, M., Greiner, M. and Baumann, M.P.O., 2004. Assessment of economic impact caused by poultry coccidiosis in small and large-scale poultry farms in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. International Journal of Poultry Science, 3 (11), 715–718.
Lobago, F., Worku, N. and Wossene, A., 2005. Study on coccidiosis in Kombolcha poultry Farm. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 37, 245–251.
Magwisha, H.B., Hassuku, A.A., Kvysgaard, N.C. and Permin, A., 2002. A comparison of the prevalence and burdens of helminth infections in growers and adult free-range chickens. Tropical Animal Health and Production 34 (3), 205–214.
MoL&FD (Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development), 2005. Machakos District Livestock Production Annual Report for 2004, (MoL&FD, Nairobi).
Mungube, E.O., Bauni, S.M., Muhammed, L., Okwach, E.W., Nginyi, J.M. and Mutuoki, T.K., 2006. A survey of the constraints affecting the productivity of the local scavenging chickens in the Kionyweni cluster, Machakos District. KARI Katumani, Annual Report, 2005.
Mpoame, M. and Agbede, G., 1995. The gastro-intestinal helminth infections of domestic fowl in Dschang, western Cameroon. Revue d’ elevage et de medicine veterinaire des pays tropicaux, 48 (2), 147–151.
Mukaratirwa, S., Hove, T., Esmann, J.B., Hoj, C.J., Permin, A. and Nansen, P., 2001. A survey of parasitic nematode infections of chickens in rural Zimbabwe. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 68 (3), 183–186.
Nzioka, M., Bauni, S.M. and Njuguna, E.M., 1997. Poultry production constraints and opportunity identification in Kionyweni sub-location, Machakos District. KARI, National Dairy Cattle and Poultry Research Programme, Nairobi.
Ondwassy, H.O., Okitoi, L.O., Obali, M.P., Simwa, S. and Wakhusama, S.W., 1999. Epidemiology of helminths in indigenous poultry in western Kenya. In R. de Jong and E.A. Mukisira (Eds.). Testing of livestock technologies on smallholder mixed farms in Kenya.
Permin, A., Esmann, J.B., Hoj, C.H., Hove, T. and Mukaratirwa, S., 2002. Ecto-, endo-and haemoparasites in free-range chickens in the Goromonzi District in Zimbabwe. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 54 (3), 213–224.
Permin, A., Magwisha, H., Kassuku, A.A., Nansen, P., Bisgaard, M., Frandsen, F. and Gibbons, L., 1997. A cross-sectional study of helminths in rural scavenging poultry in Tanzania in relation to season and climate. Journal of Helminthology, 71, 233–240.
Soulsby, E.J.L., 1982. Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals. London, UK, Bailliere Tindall.
Poulsen J., Permin, A., Hindsbo, O., Yelifari, L., Nansen, P. and Bloch, P., 2000. Prevalence and distribution of gastro-intestinal helminthes and haemoparasites in young scavenging chcickens in upper eastern region of Ghana, West Africa. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 45, 237–245.
Terregino, C., Catelli, E., Poglayen, G., Tonelli, A. and Gadale, O.I., 1999. Preliminary study of the helminths of chicken digestive tract in Somalia. Revue d’ elevage et de Medicine Veterinaire des pays Tropicaux, 52 (2), 107–112.
Thrusfield, M., 1995. Veterinary Epidemiology. Blackwell Science, London.
Troncy, P.M., 1989. Helminths of livestock and poultry in tropical Africa. In: Manual of Tropical Veterinary Parasitology. CABI, Wallingford, 1–175.
UrQuhart, G.M., Armour, J., Duncan, J.L., Dunn, A.M. and Jennings, F.W., 1996. Veterinary Parasitology. Second (edn.) Edinburgh: Blackwell Science Publishers.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mungube, E.O., Bauni, S.M., Tenhagen, BA. et al. Prevalence of parasites of the local scavenging chickens in a selected semi-arid zone of Eastern Kenya. Trop Anim Health Prod 40, 101–109 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-007-9068-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-007-9068-3