Abstract
Ectoparasitism is the most devastating parasitic condition of poultry after coccidiosis. The present study was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with avian ectoparasitism in Osun State, Nigeria. Data was obtained from avian species presented at the major Veterinary Hospitals in Osun State between January 2006 and December 2015. A total of 4,584 avian species were presented in the period under review. Of the presented birds, 2,665 (58.14%) were young, while 1,919 (41.86%) were adults. One thousand nine hundred and ninety four (43.50%) were male and 2,590 (56.50%) were female. More birds (2,868, 62.57%) were presented during the wet season compared to the dry season (1,716, 37.43%). Turkeys 2,088 (45.55%) were the most frequently presented bird type, followed by layers 1,476 (32.20%) and local chickens 1,020 (22.25%). A total of 324 (7.07%) avian species were diagnosed for ectoparasitic infestations, of which lice infestation was the most prevalent (216, 4.71%) followed by flea infestation (72, 1.57%), tick infestation (24, 0.52%) and mite infestation (12, 0.26%). There was no defined pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalence of ectoparasite infestations. Age, sex, seasons and species were significantly associated (P<0.05) with the prevalence of ectoparasitic infestations. The study showed a low prevalence of ectoparasite infestations among avian species in the study area; however strategic measures should be taken to control these ectoparasites in Osun State, Nigeria, so as to maximize productivity in the poultry sector.
Highlights
Avian species such as poultry, turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl, peasants, pigeons and ostriches are some of the most reared animals in many parts of the world because of their productivity and other purposes which include ornamentations (Mohammed and Sunday, 2015; Malann et al, 2016)
Lice infestation (216, 4.71%; 95% CI: 4.13-5.35) was the most prevalent ectoparasitic infestation, followed by flea infestation (72, 1.57%; 95% CI: 1.24-1.96)
This study shows that ectoparasitism is one of the major conditions diagnosed in avian species in the study area
Summary
Avian species such as poultry (indigenous chickens, broilers, layers, cockerels), turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl, peasants, pigeons and ostriches are some of the most reared animals in many parts of the world because of their productivity and other purposes which include ornamentations (Mohammed and Sunday, 2015; Malann et al, 2016). In Nigeria, poultry industry plays an important role in the provision of animal protein (meat and egg) to man and it occupies a vital position in the national economy as a source of revenue. The fewer social and religious taboos related to the production, marketing and consumption of poultry products in relation to other livestock species makes it a preferred protein source worldwide (Beyene et al, 2014). The industry contributes about 15% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and accounts for up to 36% of total protein intake of the country (Akintunde et al, 2015)
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