Haemoparasites and Haematological parameters of nigerian indigenous (local)‎ and exotic (broiler)‎ chickens slaughtered in Makurdi major markets, Benue state, Nigeria

Abstract EN

Parasitism causes huge production losses in poultry industry particularly in the tropics and Sub-tropics through reduction in growth, drop in egg production, emaciation, anemia, as well as mortality.

A study on the prealence of haemoparasites and blood analysis of chickens was conducted during the dry season 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, and PP).

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 hematological 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.