Health status of indigenous and exotic chickens sold in live bird markets

Live bird markets (LBMs) contain pool of various birds of different breeds, species, types, and ages, and from different sources and have been identified as impending cores of diseases’ incubation and transmission. From the point of food safety concern, it is highly empirical to document the health status and possible disease invasion in such markets to control the market for disease-free chicken so as to ensure supply of safe food for the consumers. One hundred twenty birds comprising of exotic and indigenous breeds of cockerels and layers were surveyed in three LBMs within Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria, using a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of breed, types of chickens, and market. Data were collected on pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT) for vital signs; packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) for hematological indices; and basophil, eosinophil, neutrophil, lymphocytes, and heterophil-lymphocytes (H:L) ratio for white blood cell differentials (WBCD) and analyzed using ANOVA. Indigenous chickens and cockerels recorded highest (p < 0.05) PR (224.5 bpm and 224.63 bpm, respectively). Market had significant (p < 0.05) influence on RR and BT of the chickens. Chicken types had no significant (p > 0.05) influence on PCV, RBC, and Hb while breed influenced (p < 0.05) the RBC. Market had significant influence on all the hematological parameters. Breed and chicken types significantly (p < 0.05) influenced white blood cell differentials. Indigenous breed of chickens had the highest (p < 0.05) eosinophil (1.67%), neutrophil (35.83%), lymphocyte (58.00%), monocyte (4.5%), and H:L (0.71), while cockerels recorded highest (p < 0.05) of 1.5%, 38.23%, 56.13%, 4.13%, and 0.77%, respectively, for these parameters. The study concluded that breed and types of chickens had significant influence on vital signs. Also, market had influence on RR, BT, hematology, neutrophil, and H:L ratio of the birds sold at LBMs. Therefore, markets should be controlled for the right breed and type of chickens for the supply and consumption of healthy chicken and chicken products (meat and egg).