Abstract:
Parasitic diseases pose a significant challenge to the developing poultry industry, causing malnutrition, poor feed conversion, weight loss, reduced egg production, and increased mortality in young birds. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in backyard poultry in District Dir Upper. A total of 400 fecal samples were randomly collected directly from the colon or freshly passed and were stored in plastic containers containing 10 % formalin. These samples were analyzed by direct smear method and examined under microscope. The overall prevalence of GIPs was (52.5%). Nematodes (Ascaridia galli, Capillaria, Heterakisgallinarum, Trichuris) and Cestodes (Hymenolopsis) were identified. Ascaridiagalli was the most prevalent parasite (53.75%). The prevalence of GIPs was higher in female chickens (51.35%) compared to males (32.78%). By age, the prevalence was higher in growers (66.66%) compared to adult chickens(51.35%). Among different breeds, As eel chickens showed the highest prevalence of GIPs (54.76%), followed by undisruptive breeds (52.32%) and Naked Neck (50%). The study found that single gastrointestinal parasitic infections were more common, occurring in 89.04% cases, compared to mixed infections, which were found in 10.95% of cases. In the current study we concluded that backyard poultry may harbor a number of gastrointestinal parasites in District Dir Upper. The high prevalence rates, especially in specific breeds and localities, call for targeted interventions and improved management practices to control and reduce the burden of gastrointestinal parasites infections. The chi-square analysis revealed a significant association between geographical areas and the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections (single and mixed) (?² = 27.074, df = 6, p < 0.001). A significant association was also found between geographical areas and parasite species (?² = 51.817, df =33, p = 0.020). Flock-wise analysis showed a highly significant association with infection occurrence (?² = 17.728, df = 2, p < 0.001), prevalence of single/mixed infections (?² = 26.329, df = 4, p < 0.001), and different parasite species (?² =46.589, df = 22, p = 0.002). Risk estimate analysis showed no significant influence of gender (OR = 0.979, 95% CI: 0.580-1.651). In contrast, age groups showed a significant association with different parasite species (?² = 29.252, df= 11, p = 0.002).
Page(s):
76-76
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: 1st International Conference on "Recent Advances in Green Biotechnology and Climate Resilience", September 15-16, 2025, Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Year: 2025
Keywords:
Ascaridia galli
,
backyard poultry
,
Prevalence
,
Gastrointestinal
,
Prevalence