Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminths in Domestic Chicken of Two Different Districts in Manipur, India

The aim of the research is to determine the prevalence and identification of gastrointestinal helminth parasite of the chicken based on the gut necropsy as well as to the impact of the parasite load on the health status of chicken found in different locality of Thoubal and Kakching districts of Manipur. The gut sample were collected from different chicken centre and household backyard management area located in the above two different districts. The 87 gut samples were taken from chicken centre in 14 different villages namely Heirok, Wangjing, Kairenbikhok, Khongjom, Salungpham, Tekcham, Khangabok, Yairipok Charangpat, Athokpham, Pallel, Kakching, Wabagai, Hiyanglam. The examinations taken in this study are gut examination using gut necropsy. Result showed that 52.9% samples were positive for helminthiasis infection consisting of Ascaridia sp. (45%), Raillintina sp. (41.67%), Heterakis sp. (11.67%) and Stronggylidae sp. (1.67%) out of the 14 different Location. Mixed infection with two or more parasites was common. Ascaridia sp. was found with highest prevalence of 45% and Strongylidae sp. was lowest prevalence with 1.67% out of the 14 location. The free-range management system of raising domestic chickens specially in the rural areas exposes the birds to diseases when scavenging for food. This research was embarked upon to conduct a survey on the gastrointestinal helminths that parasitize the intestinal tract of domestic chicken using the floatation method from Dec 2022 up to October 2024 in the parasitology laboratory, Department of Zoology, Dhanamanjuri University. The gastrointestinal tracts of 87 domestic chickens slaughtered in Thoubal and Kakching Districts of Manipur, India were examined for helminth parasites. A total of 87 birds were collected whereas 46 infected representing 52.9% of the study population. Four helminth parasites were encountered including Raillietina sp., Ascaridia sp., Heterakis sp. but in case of Strongylidae sp. only one from Heirok, Elangbam leikai from a local breed chicken called Kaonayen (local name). Raillietina sp. was the most abundant Cestode parasite while Ascaridia sp. was the most abundant nematode parasite recovered from the domestic chickens. In a single host of local breed chicken from Heirok khunou 9 helminth parasites were collected two nematodes and seven cestodes. Another interesting things is that from different regions of gastrointestinal tracts of a local breed 152 nematodes and 30 cestodes were found from a single host and the chicken was dead due to heavy infection of the helminth worms which was collected from Heirok laimayum leikai on 23 March 2024 which is a new findings of heavy infection. Site preferences by the parasites in the gastrointestinal tract of the birds were small intestine, large intestine and caeca. There was no statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the infection rate between sexes.