Ectoparasitic Infestation on Poultry Birds Raised in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT-Abuja

A study on the prevalence of ectoparasites on poultry birds raised in Gwagwalada Area Council was conducted between May to July 2015. A total of 300 birds were examined based on their age, sex, and breed and management system. Ectoparasites were collected from different parts of the body of birds and identified under a dissection microscope. An overall prevalence of 81.33% was recorded and seven species of ectoparasites under three orders were identified. The prevalence of lice infestation was higher 216 (88.52%), followed by fleas 19 (7.79%) and then by mites which had the lowest rate of 9 (3.69%) infestation. Prevalence of the ectoparasites infestation was higher in females 88.34% than males 61.03%, Adults 93.63% than young 47.5%, local 91.99% than exotic 65.85 breed and extensive 93.82% than intensive 28.07% management. Therefore, the need for a better management system for bird in both the local and exotic breeds of chicken is recommended as it will help reduce ectoparasitic load as well as increase the productivity of the poultry birds in the area.