Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and associated risk factors of exotic chicken in selected farm of poultry in and around Ambo, Ethiopia

Background: Poultry is raised globally in both backyard and commercial systems, with fewer social and religious taboos compared to other livestock species. However, the poultry industry faces significant challenges due to gastrointestinal (GI) nematode parasites, which can compromise productivity and health. In Ethiopia, where poultry play a critical role in rural livelihoods, parasitic infections such as Ascaridia galli remain a persistent concern. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of GI nematode infections in chicken and to identify associated risk factors in selected poultry farms in and around Ambo, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from April to June 2019 using a random sampling technique. A total of 70 fecal samples were collected from chicken of varying body condition scores, ages, sexes, and locations. Standard parasitological techniques were employed to detect the presence of nematode eggs in fecal matter. Data were analyzed to assess the association of infection with potential risk factors, including age, sex, body condition, and farm location. Results: The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode infections was 60%. Chicken with poor body condition exhibited the highest infection rate (78.57%), followed by those in medium (54.54%) and good (40%) condition, with the difference being statistically significant. Age showed a strong association with infection, as adults had a significantly higher prevalence (92.85%) compared to young chicken (38.09%). Although male chicken had a slightly higher infection rate (61.53%) than females (56.14%), the difference was not statistically significant. Significant variation was also observed across different farm locations: Ambo University Poultry Farm reported the highest prevalence (83.87%), followed by Abebe Private Farm (55%) and Guder Campus Poultry Farm (26.31%) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The observed findings underscore the significance of implementing routine deworming protocols, optimizing nutritional management, and enhancing biosecurity measures to effectively control gastrointestinal nematode infections. Moreover, further research is essential to examine seasonal dynamics and to develop robust surveillance systems that facilitate sustainable parasite control initiatives.