Ectoparasites of indigenous Malawi chickens

A study was carried out in Mzuzu Agricultural Development Division (MZADD) in the northern region of Malawi in 1996/1997 to determine ectoparasite species infesting local chickens and their levels of infestation, in different localities and seasons. Ectoparasite species were also collected from local chickens in 2009/ 2010 in the southern region. A sample of chickens at different farmsteads were examined for the presence of ectoparasites. Ectoparasite levels and species were determined. The stick tight flea Echidnophaga gallinacea, lice species Lipeurus caponis, Goniocotes gigas, Goniocotes hologaster, Menacanthus stramineus, Menopon gallinae, the mite Dermanyssus gallinae, the scaly leg mite Cnemidocoptes mutans and the tick Amblyomma variagetum were found to occur on local chickens at varying levels of infestation in the northern region. Season had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the levels of infestations for E. gallinacea and combined lice infestations. Location had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the levels of infestation for E. gallinacea and Menopon gallinae and prevalences of E. gallinacea and Menacanthus stramineus. There was a two way interaction (p < 0.05) between season and location on the levels of infestations for E. gallinacea and Menopon gallinae. E. gallinacea, Menacanthus stramineus, Menopon gallinae, G. gigas, G. hologaster and a tick species were found in the southern region.