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

Ectoparasites are responsible to transmit many bacterial and viral diseases in laying hens. A number of chemicals are used to manage tick infestation in laying birds. These include carbamates, avermectins, herbal products, pyrethroids and organophosphates and out of them pyrethriods are the most potent than all others. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of ectoparasitic fauna and to check the comparative ef?icacy of two different combinations of commercial acaricides in layer birds in all Tehsils of District Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. A single species of tick Argas (A.) persicus and a single species of lice Lipeurus (L.) caponis were present in the study area. An overall prevalence of ectoparasites was recorded to be 55 % that includes A. persicus 25% and L. caponis 35%. Number of ticks were counted after every week for four weeks and there was reduction in the percentage of ticks as 40, 53, 65, 80 and 90% at days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 by using Eco?leece (cypermethrin) while it reduced 52, 64, 72, 90 and 100% at days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 respectively by using H killer (cypermethrin+ dichlorvos). Results indicated that H killer was comparatively more ef?icient (p<0.05) than Eco?leece.