Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in free-range poultry in Grenada, West Indies.

ABSTRACT

Rural poultry production systems in Grenada are based on the scavenging indigenous domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus), the predominant species in the poultry sector. This study was done to establish the species and frequency of gastrointestinal parasites in 106 free-ranges chickens ages between 1-2 years, and collected from 13 households. Three nematodes and one tapeworm were identified Gongylonema ingluvicola (29.2%); Ascaridia galli (10.3%); Heterakis gallinarum (4.7%); Capillaria contorta (2.83%); Railietina tertagona (38.6%). Helminth infections in free-range chickens, even when they occur in low numbers, may result in subclinical disease. High numbers can produce clinical disease. Further studies may be required to devise appropriate prevention and control methods, with improved management systems. This is the first report of gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging poultry in Grenada.