This paper describes a period prevalence and associated determinants of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in layer (Gallus
domesticus) population of district Faisalabad during March 2012 to February 2013. The live and/or dead birds (n=1996)
brought to the central diagnostic facility of the Faculty of Veterinary Science and those screened from peri-urban regions,
were screened for GI parasitic fauna through standard parasitological protocols. Relevant information regarding associated
risk factors was recorded on a pre-designed closed-ended questionnaire. Overall prevalence of GI helminths and protozoa
was recorded as 26.05% and 11.32% respectively. The prevalence was highest in the laying birds followed in order by
brooding and growing birds. Commercially raised birds, conventional housing system, manual feeding and watering systems,
crumbed-feed and soiled floor were found having positive statistical association with the GI parasitism in layer birds of the
study area. This data will not only be helpful for the small holder poultry farmers to modulate their farming practices but also
for the policy and decision makers to implement strategies which can minimize the risk of GI parasitism in commercial as
well as backyard poultry rearing systems.
Tabassam Fatima, Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Muhammad Kashif Saleemi, Zafar Iqbal, Rao Muhammad Siddique. (2015) Descriptive Epidemiology Of Endo-parasitic Fauna In Layer Birds (Gallus Domesticus) Of Central Punjab, Pakistan, , Volume-52, Issue-3.
