Prevalence of ectoparasites in free-range backyard chicken flocks in northeast Algeria

• DOI: 10.46419/vs.52.6.3
• Publication Date: 2021-06-07T13:14:45Z
• Authors: Amir Nahal; Souad Righi; Mehdi Boucheikhch...; Ahmed Benakhla
• Keywords: Flock

Free-range backyard chicken breeding is gaining popularity in Algerian rural regions. Due to the natural rearing conditions, chickens are exposed a wide range of microbes and ectoparasites. Currently, little known about variety ectoparasites infesting free-range Algeria. The present study was conducted over two year period on 169 chicken, with aim identifying estimating prevalence different body parts chickens, their immediate environments northeast In total, 9943 were identified, seven most dominant species were: Menopon gallinae (82.84%), Goniodes dissimilis (15.97%), Menacanthus stramineus (13.60%), Goniocotes (6.50%), Lipeurus caponis (5.23%), Argas persicus (9.46%) Dermanyssus (1.18%). frequent isolated ectoparasite throughout year. Soft ticks during spring summer, mainly from crevices cracks, while red mite detected autumn low load bird high abundance nests. These results list abundant which could facilitate improvement management.