Prevalence and diversity of ectoparasites in scavenging chickens (Gallus domesticus) and their association to body weight

Abstract

Domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus) which are traditionally fed by scavenging on farms predispose them to ectoparasites infestation. In this study, a preliminary survey was conducted on the common ectoparasites on G. domesticus in the rural areas of Banyumas District, Central Java, Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity of ectoparasites, their prevalence, and their relationship to the chickens’ body weight. This research was conducted by the survey method from December 2019 to April 2020 in five villages around the city of Purwokerto, Banyumas District viz., Kedungwuluh, Kedungwringin, Kutasari, Karangsalam, and Karanggintung. Analysis of ectoparasites diversity was conducted by using the Shannon-Wiener index (H′) and Evenness index (E). Analysis of variance was used to calculate the difference in prevalence among sample locations. Regression correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between prevalence and chicken body weight. The results showed that there were six ectoparasite species i.e., Dermanysus gallinae, Megninia ginglymura, Menacanthus cornutus, Menopon gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, and Haemaphysalis sp. parasitizing G. domesticus in five villages. The number of ectoparasite individuals among locations was significantly different (F5.59 < 32.45; p<0.05). The highest number of ectoparasite was found in Karangsalam (272 individuals), while the highest prevalence of ectoparasite was Me. cornutus (45%). Ectoparasite prevalence was associated with chicken weight loss (r = 0.98). The prevalence of ectoparasite of domestic chickens farm in the Banyumas Regency is classified as low but has the potential to influence body weight.