Gastrointestinal Parasites of Local And Exotic Breeds of Turkeys [Meleagris gallopavo] In Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the gastrointestinal parasites in local and exotic breed of turkeys reared in Gwagwalada, Guinea savannah Zone of Nigeria. It was conducted between May and September, 2017. One hundred [100] faecal samples were collected from local and exotic breeds of turkeys in Gwagwalada Area Council and examined for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites eggs and oocysts using flotation and sedimentation methods. The following parasites eggs/oocysts were identified in the study; Ascaridia spp [47%], Strongyloides spp [32%], Cappilaria spp [26%], Heterakis spp [25%], Tetrameres spp [24%], Spirurid spp [15%], Raillientina spp[13%], Davainea spp [10%], Subulura spp [6%], Oxyuris spp [6%], Cyathostoma spp [5%], Syngamus spp [5%]. The Oocysts identified belonged to Eimeria spp [41%], Cryptosporidium spp [34%], Sarcocystis spp [6%], Trichomonas spp [4%]. A total of 95% of the turkeys were infected, with majority of the birds having mixed infection. Interestingly, none of the turkeys examined was infected with trematodes. There was no statistically significant difference in prevalence [p>0.05] among the Turkeys. There was difference [p<0.05] in the prevalence of infected male and female turkeys. The females had higher Infestation with the parasites than the males. There was no significant difference [p>0.05] among the age groups. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in this study shows a higher occurrence in exotic breed of turkeys 58.9% when compared to the local breed 41.1%. The domestic turkeys raised are hosts of a great number of gastrointestinal parasites which is attributed to the production system to which they belong. Therefore, Turkeys raised in free range condition of breeding should have a boundary and food served to them to reduce their search for food which exposes them to intermediate hosts of parasites.