Prevalence of Ectoparasites in Free-ranging Backyard Chickens of Sabzevar City, Iran

Introduction: One of the most important food sources of humans are poultry products. Poultries are irritated and losing blood by bloodsucking ectoparasites, which affect the quality and quantity of meat and egg production. Methods: This study was conducted on 120 freeranging backyard chickens from December 2017 to November 2018 to determine ectoparasiteschr( 39 ) prevalence in Sabzevar city, northeastern Iran. Different parts of the birdschr( 39 ) bodies were examined, and ectoparasites were collected. The specimens were identified based on morphological features using diagnostic keys. Results: Of the 120 (30 males and 90 females) freeranging backyard chickens examined, 75 (62.5%) showed infestation with three lice and one mite species. The prevalence of infestation was higher in females (66.67%) than males (50%); however, the difference was not significant (P 0.05). The louse Menopon gallinae was the most prevalent species (57.33%), followed by Menacanthus stramineus (37.33%), Lipeurus caponis (13.33%), and Dermanyssus gallinae (4%). Conclusion: This is the first survey on determining the prevalence and multiplicity of ectoparasites among freeranging backyard chickens in Sabzevar city, Iran. The high prevalence rate of ectoparasites among chickens shows that parasitic infection is prevalent in this area.