Prevalence Of Ectoparasite Infestation In Domestic Chickens Gallus Domesticus (A Case Study Of Damaturu Main Market)

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites infestation in domestic chickens in Damaturu main market. The aimed of this research is to identify ectoparasites in domestic chickens by direct examination method. A total of 240 chicken samples were examine and analyzed, the following species were identified viz: ticks (Ixodida), lice (Phthiraptera) and fleas (Siphonaptera) respectively. The research revealed that the infection rate with ticks 10%, fleas 33% and lice 6%. The investigation also revealed that ectoparasites infestation of Gallus domesticus was high in females with 20% than that of the males with 10%. This is probably due to the fact that the female chickens have large body surface and high fat content than the males, the research concluded that ectoparasites infestation in domestic chickens can scared people from investing. The research also recommended that sanitation and hygiene is highly encourage, it is also recommended that chemical such as carbonyl can reduce ectoparasites infestation in Gallus domesticus.