Occurrence and impact of ecto and endoparasites in free range chicken in Mbeere District in Kenya

PRESENTED AT THE WAAVP CONFERENCE HELD ON 25TH TO 30TH AUGUST 2013 IN PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA

BY

HANNAH W CHEGEDEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PATHOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGYUNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

Ecto- and Endo- Parasites in Free Range Chicken in rainy season in Mbeere District, Kenya.

IntroductionPoultry production is a growing and an economically important industry in Kenya. It contributes to the livelihood of approximately 21million people.Due to shortage of land for agriculture many people in rural areas have opted for poultry production .Endo and ecto- parasites are common among indigenous chickensEffects of parasites include: *competition for nutrients *sucking blood causing anaemia *diarrhoea and/or obstruction of intestines. Parasites leads to lowered productivity (reduction in weight gain, decreased egg production) and/or mortality).Ecto-parasites are important as blood suckers, vectors or aetiological agents of disease.

Village chickens of various ages

Flea infestation in chickens

Tapeworm infestation in chickens

Village chickens scavenging in the field

Introduction conti.....Previous studies in Kenya have established:Prevalence and intensity of endo, ecto and hemoparasites among different age groups and sexes of birds, farm (Sabuni et al., 2010 ; Sabuni et al., 2011.) and market birds(Maina 2005). No studies on Current prevalence of ecto and haemoparasites compared to Sabuni et al ( 2010;2011). The prevalence of endoparasites in Mbeere District, Kenya

To determine the prevalence of ecto -, endo- and haemo-parasites in free range chickens in Mbeere District, Eastern Province, Kenya.

ObjectiveMaterials and methodsStudy areaThe study was conducted in Mbeere District , Eastern Province, KenyaThe area has high poultry population of indigenouschicken, approx. 165, 090( KBS)Bimodal pattern of rainfall long rains (mid- March and June). short rain (October to December).

Map showing the study area

Materials and methods cont.... Experimental designA cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2011.Twenty four birds(24) birds of all ages(chicks