Beta
302119

Prevalence and Effects of Oxpeckers Interactions on Cattle at The Federal University of Agriculture Cattle Production Farm Abeokuta

Article

Last updated: 01 Jan 2025

Subjects

-

Tags

Veterinary Parasitology & Microbiology

Abstract

Oxpeckers activities are emerging challenges confronting cattle farmers apart from pests and parasites requiring the need to understand the relationship existing between them and the cattle. This study determined the prevalence and effects of oxpeckers' feeding habits at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Fifteen visitations were made to the herd of 230 cattle between 7:25 and 8:45 am to observe oxpeckers interactions over a period of three months.  The number of observations, perching site, feeding and non-feeding activities, inflicted wounds, tolerance and intolerance behaviors of cattle were recorded. Data obtained were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20 and the result was expressed in frequencies and percentages. Pearson chi square test was used to determine significant differences between breeds and coat colours with the p-value less than 0.05 (p > 0.05) was considered significant. Out of the 230 cattle, 201 (87.4%) were infested with 635 oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus) with the White Fulani breed having the highest prevalence of infestation 152 (75.6%), while Bokolo was lowest 11 (5.5%). White colour was highly infested 144 (71.6%) with lowest in black. Twenty two (10.9%) out of the 201 infested cattle had wounds with white colour 13 (59.1%) being the highest followed by black and white. In conclusion, oxpeckers are more attracted to white colour than other colours. The relationship between oxpeckers and cattle can be switched from mutualism to parasitism under certain conditions.

DOI

10.21608/ejvs.2023.201861.1469

Keywords

cattle, Interactions. Mutualism, Oxpeckers, Parasitism

Authors

First Name

Simon

Last Name

Abakpa

MiddleName

Abah Victor

Affiliation

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Email

abakpasav@funaab.edu.ng

City

-

Orcid

0000-0002-6329-3635

First Name

Maryam

Last Name

O. Habeeb

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Aderonke

Last Name

O. Alamu

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Kemi

Last Name

R. Idowu

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Adeniyi

Last Name

O. Egbetade

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Adewale

Last Name

O. Talabi

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Olajoju

Last Name

J. Awoyomi

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Veterinary Pubic Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

54

Article Issue

5

Related Issue

41639

Issue Date

2023-09-01

Receive Date

2023-03-23

Publish Date

2023-09-01

Page Start

825

Page End

830

Print ISSN

1110-0222

Online ISSN

2357-089X

Link

https://ejvs.journals.ekb.eg/article_302119.html

Detail API

https://ejvs.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=302119

Order

302,119

Type

Original Article

Type Code

140

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Publication Link

https://ejvs.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Prevalence and Effects of Oxpeckers Interactions on Cattle at The Federal University of Agriculture Cattle Production Farm Abeokuta

Details

Type

Article

Created At

23 Dec 2024