Enhancing village chicken productivity through parasite management for effective newcastle disease vaccination in Kenya

Abstract

Newcastle disease (ND) is documented among the most important diseases of poultry in the world, causing devastating losses in both commercial and village chickens. It is capable of causing mortality rates of up to 100% of the flock and, as a viral disease, can only be effectively controlled through vaccination. The disease is endemic in village chickens in Eastern province of Kenya. On the other hand, parasites, which have a tendency of causing stress to the birds through nutrient consumption, blood sucking, and irritation, have been isolated at high levels from chickens from this area. Knowing that stress is associated with immune-suppression, it is important to establish the extent at which parasite burdens influence the effectiveness of ND vaccine. We hypothesize that the presence of internal and external parasites lowers ND vaccination response in village chickens. This study will, therefore, address the identified knowledge gaps with the aim of improving ND and parasite control in village chicken production. It will determine the extent at which external and internal parasite burdens influence vaccination response to ND in the productivity of village chickens, and will also establish (1) productivity and ocioeconomic parameters, (2) seasonal parasite burdens, and (3) effect of endoparasites and ectoparasites on ND vaccine response.