Abstract
A faunistical study of ectoparasites was carried out for a period of two years from January 2005 to December 2006 in rural free-range chicken purchased from different areas of Kashmir valley. Screening of a total of 478 birds revealed only lice infestation with an overall prevalence of about 100% and 97.69% birds harboring multiple species. The prevalence for various species of lice, during winter, spring, summer, autumn and overall prevalence respectively, was 90.32%, 99.14%, 100%, 98.34% and 96.86% for Lipeurus caponis; 33.87%, 48.71%, 57.75%, 39.66% and 44.76% for Goniodes gigas; 29.83%, 32.47%, 45.68%, 32.23% and 34.93% for Menopon gallinae; 28.22%, 32.47%, 39.65%, 32.23% and 33.05% for Menacanthus cornutus; 16.12%, 19.65%, 25%, 18.18% and 19.66% for Goniocotes gallinae and 6.45%, 12.82%, 13.79%, 4.95% and 9.41% for Eomenacanthus stramineus. The seasonal influence on nature and intensity of infestation was evident.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fabiyi, J. P. 1980. Survey of lice infesting domestic fowl on the Jos Plateau, Northern Nigeria. Bullitin of Animal Health and Production, 283: 215–219.
Mir, A. S., Pandit, B. A., Shahardar, R.A and Banday, M.A.A., 1993. Prevalence of ectoparasites in indigenous fowls of Kashmir valley. Indian Veterinary Journal, 70: 1071–1072.
Mungube, E. O., Bauni, S. M., Tenhagen, B. A., Wamae, L. W., Nzioka, S. M., Muhammed, L. and Nginyi, J. M. 2008. Prevalence of parasites of the local scavenging chickens in a selected semi-arid zone of Eastern Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 402: 101–109. doi:10.1007/s11250-007-9068-3
Nadeem, M., Khan, M. N., Iqbal, Z., Sajid, M. S., Arshad, M. and Yaseen, M. 2007. Determinants influencing prevalence of louse infestations on layers of district Faisalabad (Pakistan). British Poultry Science, 485: 546–550. doi:10.1080/00071660701573086
Permin, A., Esmann, J. B., Hoj, C. H., Hove, T. and Mukaratirwa, S., 2002. Ecto-, endo- and haemoparasites in scavenging chickens in the Goromonzi district, Zimbabwe. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 543: 213–224. doi:10.1016/S0167-5877(02)00024-7
Prelezov, P. N. and Koinarski, V. T. S., 2006. Species variety and population structure of Mallophaga (Insecta: Phthiraptera) on chickens in the region of Stara Zagora. Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine., 93: 193–200.
Ruff, M. D. 1999. Important parasites in poultry production systems. Veterinary Parasitology, 843–4: 337–47. doi:10.1016/S0304-4017(99)00076-X
Soulsby, E.J.L. 1982. Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated animals. 7th edn, (Bailliere Tindall, London), 809.
Sychra, O., Harmat, P. and Literák, I., 2008. Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) on chickens (Gallus gallus) from small backyard flocks in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. Veterinary Parasitology, 1523–4: 344–348. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.01.001
Thrusfield, M.1995. Veterinary Epidemiology, 2nd edn, (Blackwell Scientific, Oxford).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Salam, S.T., Mir, M.S. & Khan, A.R. Prevalence and seasonal variation of ectoparasite load in free-range chicken of Kashmir valley. Trop Anim Health Prod 41, 1371–1376 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9324-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9324-9