Abstract:
Despite the significant role of poultry production as a source of animal protein and
immediate cash income generation, poultry production constrained by many extrinsic
factors, including malnutrition, poor management, and an absence of bio-security;
mainly infectious diseases such as Gastro intestinal nematodes. A cross-sectional study
was conducted from April 2023 up to January 2024 with an aim to estimate the
prevalence, to associated risk factors and control trends managed under different
production systems in and around Werabe town Silte zone, Central Ethiopia. 576
chickens were sampled based on stratified random sampling technique by proportional
allocation from each stratum. Among sampled chickens, 172 (29.9%) were found to
harbor five different gastro intestinal nematode parasites based on coproscopy and adult
necropsy. The nematode species on coproscopic examination encountered were Ascaridia
galli 65 (11.3%), Heterakis gallinarum 52 (9.03%), Capillaria Species 37 (6.4%),
Syngamus trachea 29 (5.03%) and Strongyloides avium 24 (4.2%). The nematode species
recovered on necropsy were Heterakis gallinarum 9 (15%), Ascaridia galli 7(11.7%) and
Capillaria Species 1 (1.7%). The study revealed that body condition, feacal consistency,
house use, season and deworming attitude were statistically significant determinants
(p<0.05) among hypothesized risk factors based on binary logistic regression. Based on
community attitude assessment, only 25% owners had awareness of gastrointestinal
parasites prevention and control practices and 38% farmers were related parasite
infection to poor hygienic management. The community should be given awareness
creation training and strict attention towards maintaining sanitation and good husbandry
practices to interrupt the life cycle of gastrointestinal parasites of chicken
