Intestinal parasites of laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) sold in two markets of the autonomous district of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

A study on intestinal parasitism in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) was conducted from May to June 2024 in two municipalities of the Autonomous District of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire): Abobo and Adjamé. Seventy (70) digestive tracts were collected from local slaughter markets (35 per municipality) and analysed at the Laboratory of Animal Biology and Cytology of Nangui Abrogoua University. Methods combined helminthological autopsy, sedimentation, flotation and McMaster techniques. Two parasitic genera were identified: Ascaridia sp. and tapeworms (Raillietina sp.). Of the 70 samples examined, 54 harboured one or more parasites (overall infestation rate: 77.14%). Infestation rates were 72.86% by coproscopy and 82.86% by autopsy. Prevalences of Ascaridia sp. were 80% in Abobo and 85.71% in Adjamé; tapeworms were found exclusively in Adjamé (34.29%). Mean parasite burdens of Ascaridia sp. were 11.18 in Abobo and 12.04 in Adjamé, with no significant difference (p > 0.05). These results highlight high parasitic pressure in both municipalities and support the integration of antiparasitic prophylaxis programmes in urban poultry management.