Gastrointestinal helminths of semi-domesticated helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) under different management systems in Arua district, Uganda

Abstract

Multi-stage and purposive sampling designs were undertaken to identify the smallest unit for extraction of
samples to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of the guinea fowls in the free-range
management system (FRMS) and semi-scavenging management system (SSMS) in Arua district.
Gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) were extracted from 120 guinea fowls, 60 from each management system. All
the 60(100%) guinea fowls from FRMS harboured helminths, whereas only 49(81.7%) from SSMS were
infected. The number of helminths Hymenolepis carioca (X
2
=17, p<0.001), Heterakis gallinarum (X
2
= 7.60,
p<0.01) and Subulura brumpti (X
2
=4.82, p<0.05) were significantly higher in FRMS than in the SSMS. The
prevalence of all species was higher in the FRMS compared to SSMS except for Hartertia gallinarum (3.3%)
which was the same in both systems. Ten helminth species, namely; Hymenolepis carioca, Ascaridia galli,
Heterakis gallinarum, Dispharynx spiralis, Raillietina tetragona, Subulura brumpti, Prosthogonimus spp.,
Hartertia gallinarum, Strongyloides avium and Raillietina echinobothrida were identified. The mean worm
burden of Hymenolepis carioca (FRMS, 140±21.7; SSMS, 63.4±14.7), Ascaridia galli (FRMS, 7.3±3.5; SSMS,
0.03±0.0) and Subulura brumpti (FRMS, 12.7±2.8; SSMS, 4.3±2.1) were significantly higher in FRMS than
SSMS. It is important to separate guinea fowls from other poultry as well as improve hygiene measures in
both management systems in order to realise a healthy flock.