The enteric parasites of quails in Umuahia were investigated to determine their prevalence. Three hundred faecal samples, collected on voiding, were screened, with two hundred and five of them from deep litter and ninety-five from cages. Faecal analysis was conducted using the flotation and Mcmaster techniques. The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 167(55.6%) while that for coccidian oocysts was 89(29.6%). The prevalence of the nematode parasites detected in this study includes Ascaridia spp. 63(21.0%), Heterakis spp. -41(13.6%), Capillaria spp. -33(11.0%), Syngamus spp. 20(6.6%) and Strongyloides spp. 10(3.3%). The age-wise prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in young and adult quails was 41(42.2%) and 126(62.0%) respectively. Also, 33(34.0%) and 56(27.5%) young and adult quails were infected with coccidian oocysts, respectively. Enteric nematode parasites found in the cage managed and deep litter managed quails were 31(32.6%) and 136(66.3%) respectively. Also, 63(30.7%) and 26(27.3%) deep litter and cage managed quails respectively were infected with coccidian oocytes. It was concluded that gastrointestinal nematode and coccidian infections of quails are common in quails in Umuahia area regardless of the management system. This necessitates appropriate sustainable control measures to enhance a profitable poultry enterprise.
Key words: Coccidia, Gastrointestinal parasites, Helminths, Nigeria, Prevalence, Quails
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