Ecto and Gastrointestinal Parasites of Gallus gallus domesticus in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

The poultry industry plays a key role in the economic development of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. It is regarded as the fastest way to solve the problem of protein deficiency in the region; however, parasitic diseases threaten the economy and health of chickens. In this study, we examined chickens' gastrointestinal tract and ectoparasite to increase awareness of poultry parasites disrupting the parasite lifecycle. Four hundred and fifty-nine intestinal tracts were collected at the slaughter point for gastrointestinal parasite screening using formal-ether concentration techniques and saturated sodium chloride floatation techniques, and 300 chickens were assessed for ectoparasite collection. A skin scraping was performed on each chicken using a sterilised scalpel blade, and feathers were plucked from areas such as the vent, neck, and under the wings, where ectoparasites were predilected. Findings in the study showed that the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites; cestode, nematode, and protozoan, was 76 %, and a prevalence of 57 % for ectoparasites; mites, lice, ticks, and fleas, encountered in the study. The high prevalence of parasites in the chicken population highlights the multifaceted potential of the spread of parasites in the environment and the challenges of the proximity of chickens to humans and underscores the urgent need to implement strategic interventions for sustainable poultry health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]