Determinants influencing prevalence of louse infestations on layers of District Faisalabad (Pakistan)

Abstract

1. This paper describes the influence of some epidemiological determinants on the prevalence of louse infestation on layers in Faisalabad (Pakistan). 2. Seventy layer farms were screened to determine the prevalence of louse infestation and its determinants including age of the bird, availability of space per bird and frequency of litter change. Prevalence of Lipeurus caponis was highest (53.2%), followed by Menacanthus stramineus (22.16%), Goniodes dissimilis (12.37%) and Goniodes gallinae (12.37%). 3. Older birds (36 to 74 weeks of age) were found with a significantly higher prevalence of louse infestation than younger birds. 4. Month-wise prevalence of louse infestation was higher during the summer months (from April to August) and at older age. 5. Birds kept at floor area allowances ranging from 0.43 to 0.55 m(2) were highly infested with lice as compared to those provided with a space of 0.61 m(2) or higher per bird. 6. Litter change frequency after every 8 weeks resulted in a reduced chance of louse infestation as compared to less frequent litter changing practice. 7. It was concluded from the study that the louse infestation is a menace for the poultry production industry in Pakistan and age, space per bird and litter change frequency are the influencing determinants. 8. Further research on the chemotherapeutic trials and resistance in poultry should be continued for an effective lice control program.

Prevalence of Ectoparasitic Fauna and Efficacy of Two Commercial Acaricides against Argus persicus in Layer Poultry

“…A. persicus is a common tick parasitizing chicken and its prevalence has been reported previously by various workers [17][18][19][20]. The low temperature and less frequent litter change frequency was found favorable for the lice infestation in this study which was also determined by Nadeem et al (2007) [21]. Efficacy of cypermethrin was recorded upto 90 percent on day 28 after the first treatment and upto 100 percent efficacy was recorded by a combination of Cypermethrin and Dichlorvos (H-killer) at day 28 similar to those of Khater et al (2012) [22].…”

Epidemiologia de Lipeurus caponis (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) (Nitzsch, 1818) em granjas avícolas comerciais de postura no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil

“…Em um estudo realizado no Paquistão com diversas espécies de fitirápteros, observou-se que a ocorrência destes parasitos é maior em criações com altas densidades de galinhas e em aves mais velhas, com idade entre 36 e 72 semanas (Nadeem et al, 2007). Em outro estudo realizado em diversos estados do Brasil, constatou-se que L. caponis e outras espécies de Ischnocera são mais frequentes em aves de criações de subsistência do que em granjas comerciais devido ao hábito destas espécies de viverem mais sobre as penas do que sobre a pele e, consequentemente, à maior dependência da luz solar para sobrevivência.…”

Gastrointestinal helminths in pigeon Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789)

“…The prevalence and intensity of parasitic infestations may be influenced by a number of epidemiological factors including host factors such as age, sex and breed and environmental factors such as climatic conditions (Nadeem et al 2007). Investigations on chickens and ducks managed under similar conditions like pigeons have shown higher prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths (Muhairwa et al 2007) which impair productivity and health of these birds.…”