Prevalence of Worm Infection in Yankasa sheep and West African dwarf goats in Lafia Town and Environs, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study was conducted in Lafia town, districts and wards over a 12 months period (May, 2010 – April, 2011) to investigate the prevalence of helminthosis/ eimeria infection in Yankasa sheep and West African dwarf goats. A total of 864 faecal samples comprising 432 each of Yankasa sheep and West African dwarf goats were evaluated. Worm prevalence was higher among Yankasa sheep than West African dwarf goats. Prevalence according to age groups among Yankasa sheep were, above 12 months (34.7%), 6 – 12months (28.7%) and less than 6 months (2.1%) while West African dwarf goats above 12 months had the highest prevalence of 39.4%, 6 – 12months (20.8%) and less than 6 months (2.3%). The highest prevalence of 21.29% in Yankasa sheep was obtained in the late rains followed by 15.97, 14.81and 13.43% during early rains, early and late dry seasons respectively. For West African dwarf goats the highest prevalence was 17.12%, during late rains followed by 16.73, 16.20 and 12.73% during early rains, early and late dry seasons respectively. Furthermore sheep were more burdened than goats. Female sheep and goats had higher degree of infection during the rainy season while male counterparts showed higher degree of infection during the dry season. In the study area therefore, preferential rearing of Yankasa sheep should be exploited and greater attention should be paid to West African dwarf goats, older sheep and goats and, rainy season in worm/ eimeria control.