Studies on the prevalence of helminthic infection in broiler poultry birds from Darbhanga region of North Bihar, India

The present communication deals with the study of prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection in broiler poultry birds. The study was conducted during February 2014 to January 2015 from different farms and market shops in and around Darbhanga town. In all 296 birds were examined and average over all prevalence was found as 156 (52.70%) and with cestodes 58 (19.59%), nematodes 76 (25.67%) and mixed 22 (7.43%), thus in an order of nematodes> cestodes> mixed ones. Among the cestodes Raillietina and Davainea infection and among nematodes Ascaridia and Heterakis were found common with prevalence as 19.25%, 4.05%, 23.98% and 5.40% respectively. Further, seasonal prevalence showed higher during summer (60.79%) followed by rainy (52.48%) and lowest during winter (37.83%) (F2,6=7.4 at p>0.05). Thus the study indicated higher prevalence of helminthic infection particularly Raillietina (cestode) and Ascaridia (nematode) during summer season (F3,6 =23.93 at p>0.001) & LSD=5.63 in broiler poultry birds of the study area. Such information may be useful in designing improved poultry management in the area.