ECTOPARASITES OF POULTRY BIRDS (Gallus gallus domesticus) FROM TWO SMALLHOLDER FARMS, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Ectoparasites play significant economic roles in the management of poultry birds, especially in smallholder farms in the tropics. Their impact can range from mild irritation to transmission of pathogenic organisms to the birds. In this study, we examined nineteen birds maintained at two smallholder farms in Rivers State, Nigeria, namely, the Rivers State University farm and a family poultry farm at Rukpokwu in August and September, 2023. The birds were examined using appropriate methods; the parasites were isolated and identified using standard keys. Prevalence of ectoparasites was generally low. Four ecto-parasites were isolated: two from the birds at Rukpokwu (a Psoroptidae mite and larval Strongyloides stercoralis, both at a prevalence of 11% and mean intensity of one parasite per infested host); and three from RSU farm (Psoroptidae mites, the fluff louse [Goniocotes gallinae] and the tropical fowl mite [Ornithonyssus bursa]), prevalence of infestation was 20%, 10% and 40%, respectively in August, 2023. By September, none of the Rukpokwu birds was infested and only two from the RSU farm were infested with O. bursa. Higher occurrence of parasites at RSU farm is related to the presence of other farm animals. Regular cleaning of the birds and their surroundings can reduce their incidence of infestation thereby maintaining healthy birds