A survey on phytogenic extracts commonly used in the control of Newcastle disease in indigenous chickens raised in Yewa South local government area of Nigeria

Abstract

Newcastle disease remains one of the major diseases ravaging the poultry industry in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the medicinal plants used as a cure for Newcastle disease in indigenous chicken in Yewa South Local Government, Ogun State, using semi-structured questionnaires. One hundred questionnaires were randomly administered. However, ninety-nine (99) were retrieved. Data were collected on socio-economic characteristics of respondents, distribution of villager’s ownership to indigenous chicken in accordance to disease recognition and cure of Newcastle disease. Results showed that female respondents (57.58%) were mainly involved in rural poultry production than their male counterparts (42.42% %). Most indigenes in the locality raised their birds on a semi-intensive system (92.93%) of management. Poultry birds were raised for mostly household consumption (37.37%) and income (29.29%). Results further revealed that 37.37% of the farmers are very familiar with the Newcastle disease, also, 37.37% of the farmers know a bit about the disease. Most farmers believe that bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Christmas melon (Cucumis melo) serve as a cure to prevent Newcastle disease. The study concluded that bitter leaf and Christmas melon are the most frequently used phytogenic plants used as a cure for Newcastle disease in Yewa South Local Government.