ABSTRACT

The study was carried — out in Umudike community to compare the degree of endo — parasitic infection poultry birds (chickens) kept on free — range and on confinement. A total of 120 faecal samples and 120 blood sample were examined forth-nightly on both systems studied respectively. This study was carried out during the rains from May to September. The commonest intestinal parasites afflicting confined poultry birds were cap/I/aria species (16:7%), Ascaridia gal/i (13.3%) and syngamus trachea (10.8%), while the least was Eimeria species (5.8%) For free — range birds, the commonest intestinal parasites seen were strongyloides avium (18.3%) followed by Rai//ietina echinobothrida and syngamus trachea (10.8%) Prevalence while the Least was Ascaridia ga//i (6.7%). Blood parasite encountered was Avian p/asmodium with infection rate of (18.3%) for both free — range and confined birds. Generally, confined birds had Significantly (P< 0.05) higher intestinal parasite load then free- ranged birds, though infections like strongy/oides avium was found restricted to free- range birds, Anova analysis of the relationship between age of birds and parasites infection showed that infection rate increased with age of birds. Coccidiosis however was found only in young birds of 2- 7 weeks. It was concluded from this study that protozoans and Helminthiasis were the most important poultry diseases in Umudike and virtually all ages of birds were affected. The data of the work showed that infection rate was higher on confined poultry birds than on free — range birds and it will equally help the Local breeders of exotic birds in Umudike to make a good choice on the method to use.