STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF SOME ECTOPARASITES ON BODY COMPOSITION IN PIGEONS

Abstract

Pigeons are considered as one of the most important birds bred in Egypt and their squabs are a good source of animal protein. In this study we examined the different ectoparasites infecting pigeons and squabs in Dakahlia province. Also we had discussed the locations in which birds were reared. The results of field examination of the different ectoparasites were obtained from 7 different localities.

The results showed that: Adult pigeons were highly infected with different ectoparasites (82.89%) than squabs (69.10%). P. canariensis was the most prevalent temporary ectoparasite infecting pigeons where it reached to (77.65%) in squabs and (72.38%) in adult.

Squabs were more susceptible to be infected with H.columbae

(34.72%) than adult (21.56%).

Adult pigeons were highly infected with lice (87.2%) than squabs (80%). Several lice species were detected and identified as Columbico/a columbae, Menacanthus straminius and Cuclogaster heterographus.

Mites was found infected squabs as (20%) and rn adult as

(21.5%). The identified mite was Falculifer rostratus. Single infection of squabs with different ectoparasites was recorded as, lice (17.65%), P.canariensis (17.65%) and mite (2.33%),