MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in and around Jammu. The area is located 332 m above mean sea level, between 74°50' East longitude and 30°40' North latitude. The average temperature recorded was 28.68°C in monsoon, 21.57°C in post-monsoon, 12.2°C in winter and 25.98°C in pre-monsoon seasons. The recorded rainfall was 277.87 mm in monsoon, 12.6 mm in post-monsoon, 46.63 mm in winter and 59.53 mm in pre-monsoon periods. The humidity was 76.34% in monsoon, 65.75% in post-monsoon, 76.83% in winter and 55% in pre-monsoon. The soil texture is sandy loam to clay loam in this area. The study period was divided into four seasons according to Indian Meteorological Department, Pune, viz., monsoon (July to September), post-monsoon (October to November), winter (December to February), summer/pre-monsoon (March to June). The meteorological data (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) was collected from the Meteorological Division Chatha, Faculty of Agriculture (FOA), Sher-e-Kashmir University Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu.

Sample collection: A total of 710 backyard poultry birds were screened for the presence of ectoparasites for a period of one year (October 2010 to September 2011) in 5 selective villages of Jammu district. Body coats of poultry were examined for the presence of ectoparasites. Poultry houses were also screened for the presence of ectoparasites and were identified by using standard protocols (Soulsby, 1982).

Statistical analysis: The parasitic findings were correlated with the meteorological data. The experimental data generated during the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics (SPSS 16.0 versions). A two tailed test was used to compare the means. A p<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Prevalence of ectoparasites based on physical examination: A total of 710 birds were examined, of which 373 (52.53%) were found infested with different ectoparasites, like Menopon gallinae (16.05%), Menacanthus stramineus (12.95%), Goniocotes gallinae (9.58%), Goniodes gigas (5.91%), Lipeurus caponis (2.95%), Argas persicus (3.38%) and Dermanyssus gallinae (1.69%). Analysis of data revealed highest overall prevalence of Menopon gallinae (16.05%) and lowest that of Dermanyssus gallinae (1.69%) (Table 1).

Menopon gallinae was predominant in all seasons except in pre monsoon and had highest prevalence during winter and lowest during post monsoon. In pre monsoon Menacanthus stramineus had the highest prevalence. Dermanyssus gallinae had the lowest prevalence during all the seasons. The prevalence of Argas persicus was highest during monsoon and lowest during post monsoon (Table 1).

Season wise prevalence of ectoparasites: Analysis of data revealed highest seasonal prevalence in winter (60%) and lowest in post monsoon (40%). Significant differences were observed in the prevalence rates between monsoon and pre monsoon, post monsoon and pre monsoon, winter and monsoon and winter and post monsoon seasons (p<0.05) (Fig. 1a). Among the month wise distribution the highest prevalence was observed in the month of January (72%) and lowest in the month of October (38.46%) (Fig. 1b).

Fig. 1(a-b):	(a) Season wise and (b) Month wise prevalence of ectoparasites observed during physical examination of birds

Table 1:	Seasonal prevalence of ectoparasites of backyard poultry
Values represent the number of psitive cases and the values in parenthesis as percent positivity

DISCUSSION

Ectoparasitic infestations are of significant importance for poultry industry, especially backyard poultry throughout the world. Scarce reports regarding the prevalence of ectoparasites in backyard poultry from different parts of the world including India are available (Saxena et al., 2004; Chaddha et al., 2005; Shanta et al., 2006). The study is first report pertaining to prevalence of ectoparasites of backyard poultry from Jammu region, northern part of India. In this study, prevalence of ectoparasites based on physical examination of backyard poultry was determined during October 2010 to September 2011. Examination of body coats of poultry for ectoparasites revealed an overall prevalence of 52.53%. These results were in line with the findings of different workers of the India (Saxena et al., 2004; Chaddha et al., 2005). The reason could be almost similar type of agro-climatic conditions. However, on the contrary, Shanta et al. (2006) recorded comparatively higher (86.67%) prevalence of ectoparasites.

Among the individual ectoparasites, Menopon gallinae (16.05%) was most common followed by Menacanthus stramineus (12.95%). Chaddha et al. (2005) also reported highest prevalence of M. gallinae (49.5%) followed by M. stramineus (26.30%). However, Shanta et al. (2006) recorded higher prevalence of Menacanthus stramineus (74%) followed by Menopon gallinae (63%). The reason could be different environmental conditions. Furthermore, the prevalence of other ectoparasites recorded in the present study was Goniocotes gallinae (9.58%), Goniodes gigas (5.91%), Lipeurus caponis (2.95%), Argas persicus (3.38%) and Dermanyssus gallinae (1.69%). Comparatively higher prevalence of these species (Gonicotes gallinae, 25.4% and Lipeurus caponis, 11.5%) was noted by Saxena et al. (2004). Shanta et al. (2006) also reported higher prevalence of these species (Lipeurus caponis (48%), Goniodes gigas (18%), Goniocotes gallinae (14%) and Dermanyssus gallinae (57%)).

Month wise analysis of data revealed highest prevalence (72%) of ectoparasites in January and lowest (38.46%) in October. The reason could be that there is hurdling of birds during cold and the close contact leads to the spread of infestation. Similarly, Season wise analysis of data indicated highest prevalence of ectoparasites of backyard poultry in winter (60%), followed by pre monsoon (57.5%), monsoon (46.87%) and post monsoon (40%). However, Chaddha et al. (2005) recorded highest (78.80%) prevalence of ectoparasites during rainy season and the lowest (42.10%) in the winter season. The difference in results could be attributed to different managerial practices and agro climatic conditions in the study area.

The economic impact of ectoparasites is generally overlooked and limited control measures are generally followed for the ectoparasites in backyard poultry rearing. However, ectoparasites cause weight loss, irritation by sucking blood and reduce the egg yield and other production performances (El-Kifl et al., 1973; Phulan et al., 1984). Further, presently limited extensive epidemiological reports are available for most of the individual ectoparasites especially affecting the back yard system. In this regard, the present study will be very helpful in providing valuable information for the researchers as well as veterinarians in this direction. However, further extensive investigations are required in this direction so as to improve the economic condition of rural people by improving the production of back yard poultry.