CHEWING LICE (INSECTA: MALLOPHAGA) OF DOMESTIC CHICKENS AT JAND (DISTRICT ATTOCK)

One hundred and six chickens, from 47 houses were examined from November 2002 to February 2003 for chewing or biting lice infestation at Jand (a Tehsil of district Attock, Punjab). Four species of lice were found:
Menopon gallinae, Cuclotogaster heterographus, Goniodes gigas and Goniocotes gallinae. The infestation was found to be 51.89%. Chickens were observed to be generally infested with a single species but in some cases infestation by more than one species was also found. The most common species was happen to be Menopon
gallinae recorded from 33 chickens. The species Cuclotogaster heterographus was confined to head and neck area while other three species, Menopon gallinae, Goniocotes gallinae and Goniodes gigas were found in rest of host’s body.