PREVALENCE OF HELMINTH PARASITE OF DOMESTIC CHICKEN (Gallus domesticus) IN DISTRICT KHAIRPUR, SINDH, PAKISTAN

Poultry is an important sub sector of agriculture and has contributed enormously to food production by playing a vital role in the national economy by contributing towards food security of the country reducing pressure on demand for mutton and beef and earning of foreign exchange. Birds in a traditional and open environment carry a huge risk of parasitic infections. A survey was made to determine the prevalence of helminth parasite of Gallus domesticus in district Khairpur. A total of 46 domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) were randomly collected from different villages of district Khairpur, were examined for the prevalence of helminth parasite. Seven species of helminth parasites identified, out of which four species of cestodes and three species of nematodes. Cestodes comprises Cotugonia dignopora 44 (91.6%) Raillietina tarquata 40 (86.9%), Raillietina tetragona 20 (43.4%) Choanotaenia infundibulum 6 (13%). Among nematodes 33 (71.7%) Ascaridia galli were observed. The results of present study revealed that sub-standard poultry farming is a major factor for parasitic infection in local chicken which ultimately cause heavy loss.