MSc THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY

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