A Study on Ectoparasites of Domestic Chickens in Certain Areas of Tikrit City

Abstract

    The present study was conducted to investigate the presence of ectoparasitic insect infestations in domestic chickens across several areas of Tikrit citychicken sales outlets, Al-Alam, Al-Bu Ajeel, and Al-Mahzam. A total of 130 domestic chickens of both sexes were examined between September 2025 and January 2026. The study results revealed infestations by in  two species of lice is  - Goniocotes gallinae and Menacanthus stramineus - and the soft tick species is  Argas persicus. Among the lice, Menacanthus stramineus showed the very  highest infestation rate (78%), while Goniocotes gallinae showed the lowest (40%); the  soft tick one type is  Argas persicus showed an infestation rate of 62%. Regarding geographical location, the Al-Alam area recorded the very  highest infestation rate (88%), while the Al-Mahzam area recorded the lowest is  (40%). In terms of sex, females exhibited a significantly higher infestation rate than males is  (73.68% versus 33.3%, respectively). Regarding the time of year, the  very highest infestation rate was is  recorded in September (90%), with high rates also observed in January (77.27%), while the lowest rate was recorded in December 33.3%.