Study of parasites in commercial free-range chickens in northern peninsular Malaysia

A study was conducted on 16 commercial free range chickens (8 males and 8 females) sourced from Alor Setar, Kedah in order to determine the prevalence of ecto and endoparasites. Results showed that there were 12 different species of ecto-and endoparasites from these chickens. Four (4) species of ectoparasites which consist of three lice and a tick have been discovered. The highest prevalence of ectoparasite was Menopon gallinae (93.8%). The other ectoparasites were Menacanthus pallidulus (81.3%), Haemaphysalis sp. (37.5%) and Lipeurus caponis (18.8%). On the other hand, eight species of endoparasites which consist of four nematodes and four cestodes were discovered. Rallietina echinobothrida showed the highest prevalence of endoparasite (100%) followed by Heterakis gallinarum (93.8%), Acuaria spiralis (87.5%), Ascaria galli (81.3%), Rallietina tetragona (43.8%), Gongylonema ingluvicola (37.5%), Hymenolepis carioca (12.5%) and Hymenolepis cantiana (12.5%). Endoparasites infestation was recorded highest on male chicken (52.6%) compared to female (47.4%). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the number of endoparasites and both sexes; t (14) = 0.817, p>0.05.