author(s)
M Das, R Laha and S Doley

abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, species diversity and intensity of gastrointestinal (G.I.) parasitic infections in the backyard poultry of Meghalaya. A total of 1775 numbers of fecal samples were collected from different age groups viz. < 8 weeks (523 nos.), 8-28 weeks (602 nos.) and > 28 weeks (650 nos.) and examined by flotation, sedimentation and modified McMaster techniques. Overall prevalence of G.I. parasitic infections was 37.97%. Eight species viz. Eimeria sp. (30.12%), Heterakis gallinarum (14.09%), Ascaridia galli (21.22%), Strongyloides avium (12.46%), Capillaria sp. (7.57%), Raillietina sp. (8.61%), Syngamus trachea (3.56%) and Choanotaenia infundibulum (2.37%) were recorded. Highest and lowest infections were recorded in October (52.88%) and February (26.34%), respectively. Season wise highest infection recorded during monsoon (44.71%) followed by autumn (44.34%), winter (27.22%) and spring (36.62%). Eimeria sp. was recorded highest in monsoon (33.87%), winter (27.78%) and spring (12%) seasons while A. galli (31.63%) in autumn season. Age wise variations in infections were observed in < 8 (25.24%), 8-28 (48.17%) and > 28 (38.77%) weeks old birds. Eimeria sp. was observed highest in both < 8 (68.18%) and 8-28 (25.86%) weeks. A. galli (27.38%) was recorded highest in > 28 weeks old birds.