The prevalence of intestinal parasites in tumbler pigeons raised in *********

It was aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in tumbler pigeons reared in *********. One hundred and five stool samples were obtained as one sample from each cage reached. The fresh stool samples collected were taken separately in containers with caps and delivered to laboratory within approximately 2 hours. Stool samples were analyzed by Carbolfuchsin, Native-Lugol staining and Fulleborn flotation techniques. Eimeria spp. oocysts were sporulated in 2.5% potassium dichromate and the species were identified. Parasite species were found in 82.9% of the examined pigeon stool. In the study, Heterakis spp., Ascaridia spp., Capillaria spp., Strongyle type eggs and Eimeria spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected. The number of feces infected with one parasite (32.4%) species was higher than the number of feces infected with two (22.9%), three (19.0%) and four species (8.6%). While helminth+protozoan mixed infections were detected in 40.9%, helminth parasite eggs 13.3% and protozoan oocysts were found alone in 28.6% of the stools examined. All of the sporulated Eimeria oocysts were identified as E. labbeana. In this study, intestinal parasites were detected at a high rate in pigeons fed for hobby purposes. It has been revealed that animal owners should be informed about the issue, attention should be paid to the cleanliness and hygiene of pigeon cages, and more importance should be given to the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal parasites in these animals in order to reduce the prevalence of parasitic infections in pigeons in the region.