Ectoparasitosis, a challenge in sheep and goat production in ULI, Anambra state, Nigeria.

Abstract

Sheep and goat farming is one of the main animal husbandry activities in Eastern and Northern Nigeria. These animals are reared for meat, milk and ritual sacrifices. This informed the research on this for ectoparasitosis which has been a challenge in their production. A total of 68 sheep and 92 goats were randomly sampled in Uli for the study between August – October 2011. The sampled animals were pre-numbered for clarity and examination for ectoparasites was done one after the other with plastic brush, forceps and hand lens. The ectoparasites recovered were ticks, lice, mites and fleas which were found to be common among the ruminants. The overall infestation was; sheep (69.8%) and goat (70.7%). The prevalence of these ectoparasites were; in sheep, ticks (17.0%), lice (25.8%), mites (15.0%) and fleas (42.2%), while in goats were; ticks (12.7%), lice (28.5%), mites (15.4%) and fleas (43.4%). The age related infestation was more among 1 – 5 years sheep and goat with percentage infestation as 58.5% and 54.0% respectively. However, ectoparasite infestation in the studied animals was observed to be age related. The predilection sites were mostly; ears (67), neck (57), back (51) and limb (48) in sheep, while in goats, they were; ears (83), neck (76), back (69), limbs (61), abdomen (56) and chest (52). Following the results obtained, regular treatment of these small ruminants is strongly advocated to increase their economic values.