Prevalence of Helminths in Backyard Poultry in the Community of Valles Blanco, Cuba

Abstract

Creole hen production is essential for the rural peasant population as a source of income and a way to guarantee food security in these communities. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of helminths in backyard poultry in the community of Valles Blanco, Villa Clara, Cuba. Poultry keepers in an extensive production system were visited and a semistructured interview was applied in the study setting. Twenty-six birds were analyzed out of a total population of 350, distributed in three yards, to which a dissection of the gastrointestinal tract was performed, making a cut at the esophagus level and another at the cloaca level, and the content was observed in a dark bottom container. The presence of parasitic agents in the backyard poultry population in the area studied is associated with sanitary gaps, such as scarce specialized technical assistance, lack of knowledge on the part of farmers about parasitic forms, their vectors, prevention and control. Backyard poultry showed high extensiveness and intensity of parasitic invasion by nematodes and cestodes. The main parasites found were Oxyspirura mansoni, Heterakis gallinarum, Ascaridia galli, Cestodes and Acuaria hamulosa. The results showed a prevalence of 88.46% in the backyard poultry population. It is concluded that the backyard poultry in the community under study showed high extensiveness and intensity of parasitic invasion, both by nematodes and cestodes.