Infestation by ectoparasites in creole chickens from Paraguay

Abstract

In Paraguay, raising cattle for meat is the first livestock item due to its socioeconomic importance. However, poultry production has experienced a positive increase in recent decades. In this context, the Rustipollo avian group, due to its adaptation characteristics to the open rearing system in the Country’s sub-tropical climate and its ease of handling, constitutes a valid alternative for dual-purpose production (meat and eggs). Consequently, it is important to identify the threats that can affect production, which is why the objective was to analyze the infestation by ectoparasites in this avian population. Fifty-seven birds (6 males and 41 females) were selected from the farm of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV/UNA), San Lorenzo, Paraguay. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics: Chi Square Test, Wilcoxon’s Test, Friedman’s Test and Spearman’s Correlation, through R software. The presence of Menopon gallinae (100 %) and Knemidocoptes mutans (35.08 %) was detected in the birds evaluated. No significant difference was found between males and females in relation to the frequency of infestation by both ectoparasites (P>0.05). However, the presence was higher in females (M. gallinae = 75 %; K. mutans = 64 %). Regarding the age groups, the infestation behavior was similar in chickens with K. mutans (P>0.05). However, in Rustipollos with M. gallinae, dissimilarity was observed between the age strata (P<0.05), with higher average values being observed in adults and older adults.