HELMINTHS OF THE GASTROINTESTIN AL TRACT OF PIGEON (Gallus gallus domesticus) COMMERCIALLY BRED IN KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

The ethno prevalence of Gallus gallus domesticus which belong to the order Galliforms of the avian class is highly bred in commercial terms in the study area. One hundred and twenty (120) gastrointestinal tract contents were subjected to parasitological examination to investigate the occurrence of the helminthes parasite in chickens bred in Keffi. 78 (65%) were generally infected with the helminthes parasites while 42(35%) were not infected. A total of 1,023 parasites were isolated represented by 976(95.4%) cestodes and 47(4.6%) nematodes. Six (6) species of cestodes which include, Raillietina tetragona 715(69.9%), R. echinobothrida 95(9.3%), R. cestillus 85(8.3%), R. magninwnide 11(1.1%), Hymenolepis carioca 55(5.38%) and Choanataenia infundibulum 15(1.5%) were recovered. Three (3) species of nematodes were recovered represented by Ascaridia galli 35(3.4%), A. columbae 7(0.7%) and Heterakis gallinarum 5(0.5%). There was a significant difference (P>0.01) in infections in relation to sex. Domestic chickens are predisposed to parasitic infections because of their feeding habits. Efforts should be geared toward regularly deworming them.