Ectoparasite infestation of free scavenging chickens reared under traditional backyard production system in Wolayita Zone, southern Ethiopia

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and types of ectoparasite faunas and the associated host-related risk factors in free scavenging chickens in Wolayita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Physical examination that involves hand picking and skin scrapping and laboratory investigation was employed in a total 450 chickens (198 male and 252 female).The present study revealed an overall prevalence of 40% (180/450). Three genera and seven species of ectoparasites were identified. Of the three genera, mites were the dominant ones (24.9%) followed by lice (13.8%) and ticks (1.3%).Among the seven species of ectoparasites, Cnemidocoptes mutans (61.1 %) was the most prevalent species followed by Cuclotogaster heterographus (8.9%) and Menopon gallinae(8.9%); Goniocotes gallinae(8.3%) and Menacanthus stramineus(8.3%), while Argaspersicus 3.3%(6/180) was the least identified. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in prevalence of ectoparasites with regard to sex, age and breeds of chickens except for Cnemidocoptes mutans which was more significantly (p<0.05) prevalent in adults than growers and chicks, in local than exotic breeds, and in female than male chickens. This study revealed diverse fauna of ectoparasite in backyard chickens in the study area; hence integrated control strategies should be put in place to boost chicken productivity.