INVESTIGATING THE PREVALENCE OF POULTRY (CHICKEN) PARASITIC INFECTION IN OBUDU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE

This study examined the prevalence of poultry parasitic infection. Poultry is a major source of protein in most part of the world. Trade in poultry and poultry product is a source of livelihood of millions of Nigerians. However, the outbreak of gastro-intestinal parasites in Nigeria increased likelihood of cross infection. This study assessed Ascaridia gali, Coccidia, Enterobius Vermicularis and Hook worm infection of poultry in Obudu LGA of Cross River State. Prevalence mean of chick were 93.33%, Grower were 90.00% and adult 90.00% respectively. Among species tested Coccidia had the highest number of infections with the total of 30.09%, seconded by Ascaridia galli 25.24%, followed by Hookworm 23.30% and lastly Enterobius Vermicularis with 21.35% infection.The exposure of poultry to gastro-intestinal parasite is recent with the likelihood of them shedding the infection at high levels. The risk of poultry spreading infection to themselves is high due to local poultry farmers’ risky practices likely to expose the poultry to different infections. There was no significance in prevalence of infection in relation to the location of poultry houses. There was high prevalence of mixed infection. Parasitism could be a big constraint to production in the study area and we recommend a sustainable control strategy