Parasitic Infections of Commercial Quails in Southwest Nigeria
Issue (Month/Year): (11 – 2018)
Publication Date: 30-11-2018
Subject: Epidemiology
Author’s Details: Adelabu David Babatunde
Co-author’s Details: Adediran Oyeduntan Adejoju, Uwalaka Emmanuel Chibuike.
Abstract
This study on the epidemiology of parasitic infection in commercial quail was carried out in the six south western states of Nigeria. Twenty-five commercial quail farms were sampled between the months of April to October 2014. Pooled faecal samples were collected from the quail farms and examined for gastrointestinal parasites while blood samples were collected and examined for presence of haemoparasite. On each farm visited, the farmers were interviewed to obtain vital information concerning their flock. Type of housing and the condition of the houses, the environment of the farm, presence of other birds in the farm and presence of other epidemiological factors in the farm that may support parasite development and transmission were recorded. The samples collected from each of the farm were brought to the laboratory for parasitological analysis. Out of the twenty-five farms sampled, 23 were positive for parasite infection. Four genera of parasites identified were Capillaria sp, Ascaridia galli, Heterakis sp, and Eimeria sp. 100% prevalence was recorded for farms raising the birds on deep litter and there was a significant difference compared with farms on cage system. Age, housing, management system and presence of other animals are identified as predisposing factors for parasitic infections in commercial quail. This could be as a result of exposure through litter to the infective stages or shared parasitism. It is therefore advisable to raise quail in cages to reduce the prevalence of parasitism. A follow-up after four years revealed that only 28% of the farms surveyed were still rearing quail. However, the contribution of parasitism and other factors to the failure of the farms could not be determined