TY  - JOUR
T1  - Skin Lesions Associated with Ectoparasitic Infestation in Indigenous Chickens in Eastern Province of Kenya
AU - Sabuni, A.Z. AU - Mbuthia, P.G. AU - Maingi, N. AU - Nyaga, P.N. AU - Njagi, L.W. AU - Bebora, L.C. AU - Michieka, J.N. 
JO  - Research Journal of Poultry Sciences
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
SP  - 53
EP  - 58
PY  - 2013
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1993-5285
DO  - rjpscience.2013.53.58
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjpscience.2013.53.58
KW  - Indigenous chicken
KW  -ectoparasites
KW  -skin pathology
KW  -ages
KW  -sexes
AB  - Indigenous chickens constitute over 81% of poultry in Kenya 
  and produce 71% of eggs and poultry meat. Ectoparasites limit production of 
  these birds in the rural areas, since they cause significant pathology. This 
  study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and the level of skin damage 
  (in apparently healthy birds) by ectoparasites among different chicken ages, 
  sexes and obtained from two agro-ecological zones: Lower Highland 1 (LH1) and 
  Lower Midland 5 (LM5) in Eastern Province, Kenya. Parasites found on chicken 
  were: lice, fleas, ticks and mites. Of the 144 indigenous chicken examined, 
  gross and microscopic lesions in the skin were observed in 94 and 129 birds, 
  respectively. Gross lesions were observed on 24.3% chicken heads, 31.9% body 
  and 43.8% leg skins. Microscopic lesions were observed in 36.1% of head skin, 
  89.6% of body skin and 55.6% of leg skin. Head lesions differed among the bird’s 
  age groups, between sexes and agro ecological zones (p<0.05). Body lesions 
  varied among chickens of different age groups and birds with lesions in zones 
  (p<0.05). Gross leg lesion varied among age groups and between infected birds 
  in different agro-ecological zones (p<0.05). This study documented severe 
  effects of ectoparasitic infestations on the skin of chicken and hence recommends 
  for control measures in order to improve productivity among these birds.
ER  -