Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in local ducks at varying altitudes in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Background and Aim: Gastrointestinal parasites are a common health concern in poultry, particularly in free-range farming systems. Local ducks (Anas platyrhynchos javanicus) in Indonesia are frequently exposed to various parasitic infections due to their extensive foraging behavior. Parasitic infections can reduce productivity, cause economic losses, and impact animal welfare. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in ducks raised at different altitudes in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and assess the influence of altitude and seasonal variation on infection rates.

Materials and Methods: A total of 201 fecal samples were collected from local female ducks in three different altitude regions – coastal (<100 m), lowland (100–200 m), and highland (>200 m) – between November 2019 and May 2020,
covering both the rainy and dry seasons. Fecal samples were manually collected and analyzed using the flotation method
to detect parasitic eggs and oocytes. The occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites was statistically analyzed using Chisquare test.

Results: Overall, 51.24% of the ducks were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. Nematodes were the predominant
parasites, with Capillaria spp. (43.78%) and richostrongylus spp. (22.89%) being the most frequently detected species. Protozoa such as coccidia (5.97%) and cestodes like Raillietina spp. (1.49%) were also identified. The occurrence of infection varied significantly with altitude, being highest in lowland (61.43%) and highland areas (61.54%) compared to coastal regions (30.30%). Seasonal variation also influenced infection rates, with a higher occurrence observed during the rainy season (67.19%) than in the dry season (43.80%). Most infected ducks had single parasitic infections (80.39%), while mixed infections were less common.

Conclusion: This study highlights the significant impact of altitude and season on the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in local ducks in Yogyakarta. The findings suggest that nematodes, particularly Capillaria spp., are the most persistent and widespread parasites. Implementing targeted deworming programs during the rainy season, improving farm sanitation, and educating farmers on parasite monitoring could help mitigate infections and improve duck health and productivity