Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in three groups of domestic poultry managed under backyard system in the Savanna subregion, Department of Sucre, Colombia

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites that affect the backyard poultry system in the Savanna region, Department of Sucre, Colombia. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 860 native birds, both hens ( Gallus domesticus ), ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos domesticus ), and turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ), regardless of age and sex. Samples were processed using direct techniques with ZnSO 4 and indirect methods such as modified Sloss. Data were presented as frequencies, and the nonparametric odds ratio test was used for two independent samples. Results: A total of 77.3% (665/860) of the birds were infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal parasites. Among the nematodes, Capillaria spp. (45.6%), Ascaridia galli (18.4%), Heterakis gallinarum (59.4%), Syngamus trachea (38.9%), Tetrameres spp. (25.2%), and Strongylus spp. (12.2%) were recorded. The cestodes were Choanotaenia infundibulum (22.6%), Davainea proglottina (42.3%), Raillietina spp. (58.3%), and Hymenolepis spp. (54.7%), while only Eimeria spp. (90%) was recorded as protozoa. Conclusions: The study showed a high incidence of gastrointestinal parasite infestations, the most common species being Hymenolepis spp., Eimeria spp., Raillietina spp., and Heterakis gallinarum .

Backyard poultry: exploring non-intensive production systems

“…( Shifaw et al, 2021 ). In a study conducted on 64 backyard poultry farms in the state of Alabama, a prevalence of 20.3% of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum and 26.6% of Capillaria was observed ( Carrisosa et al, 2021 ), similar to that reported in a study in Colombia, where birds were mainly affected by Capillaria (45.6%) ( Montes-Vergara et al, 2021 ) or in West Indies where they found highly prevalence of Capillaria spp. (63%), followed by Heterakis gallinarum (36%) and Ascaridia galli (12%) ( Bolfa et al, 2019 ).…”