EFFECT OF Plasmodium SPECIES INFECTIONS ON PACKED CELL VOLUME OF DOMESTIC CHICKENS AND HELMETED GUINEA FOWLS IN NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Populations of exotic and indigenous domestic chickens and guinea fowls in northeastern Nigeria were surveyed for Plasmodium sp by examining their stained blood samples. The packed cell volumes of all blood samples were estimated.  During the period of study (March to September 2006), rainfall data were collected. The prevalence of Plasmodium infection in 575 domestic poultry examined was 9.4 % and the prevalence among the difference poultry types (exotic broilers and layers, indigenous chickens and guinea fowls) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05).There was a significant (P 0.05), but the infected guinea fowls had lower (P < 0.05) mean PCV than the uninfected ones. In conclusion, Plasmodium sp infection was prevalent among the domestic poultry; and whereas the infection did not cause anaemia in chickens, mild anaemia was observed in infected guinea fowls.