Haemoparasites and Haematological Parameters of Nigerian Indigenous (local) and Exotic (broiler) Chickens Slaughtered in Makurdi Major Markets, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Parasitism causes huge production losses in poultry industry particularly in the tropics and Sub-tropics through reduction in growth, drop in egg production, emaciation, anaemia, as well as mortality. A study on the prevalence of haemoparasites and haematology of chickens was conducted from October, 2017 to February, 2018. A total of 220 blood samples were collected from both local (95 samples) and broiler (125 samples) chickens at four Makurdi main poultry Markets (North-bank, Wurukwu, Wadata and Modern markets) and transported to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Annex, University of Agriculture Makurdi for analysis. Giemsa-stained thin blood smear method was used for the screening of haemoparasites and the major haematological parameters (TBC, DLC, PCV, Plasma serum protein). An overall prevalence rate of 23.2% was recorded. Prevalence rates of 23.15% and 23.2% were recorded for local and broiler chickens respectively. Wurukwu (34.09%) market recorded the highest prevalence rate while Modern market (15.38%) had the least. Three different haemoparasites (Plasmodium spp, Haemoproteus spp and Leucocytozoon spp) were encountered with plasmodium spp (23.5% and 21.6% in local and broiler chickens respectively) having the highest prevalence rate. Infection rate was higher in male (27.2%) than female chickens (26.1%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). There are significant differences (p˂ 0.05) between the haematological parameters of the infected and uninfected chickens. The study revealed existence of three genera of haemoparasites in Makurdi and its environs at a relatively high prevalence.