A study was conducted to record the incidence and identification of various species of ectoparasites (ticks, lice, mites), and to find out the efficacy of ivermectin against ectoparasites in indigenous poultry. A total of 2000 indigenous birds were examined, during June to August, 1999 and out of these 1035 were found infested with ectoparasites, showing an overall infestation rate of 51.75%.

The infestation rate of ticks, lice, mites and mixed infestation (ticks and lice) was recorded as 6, 16.5, 2.25 and 27 percent, respectively. The species of ectoparasites identified were: Argas persicus (fowl tick), Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus, Liveurus caponis, Goniodes gigas (lice) and Cnemidoco1)tes mutans (Scaly Leg Mite).

In order to assess the efficacy of ivermectin (Ivomec) one hundred and fifty naturally infested birds with different species of ectoparasites were selected for treatment trials and divided into three groups i.e. A, Band C, each comprising of 50 birds. The birds of group A and B were the test groups and group C served as control group.

Fifty birds of group A given ivermectin intramuscularly at a dose rate of 200Ji/kg (0.2 mg/kg) body weight and 50 birds were treated with ivermectin orally at the same dose rate of 10 mg/5 gallons of drinking water as for group A. The efficacy of the drug was determined on the basis of negative skin scrapings and absence of other ectoparasites (lice, ticks) from the body of the test group birds as recorded on day zero, 14th and 28 of post-medication of ivermectin. The cure percentage recorded in group A and B on day 28 of the experiment was 94 and, 90 percent in birds treated by intramuscular injection and oral treatment of the drug, resp~ctively.

Haematological examinations were made to compare the blood picture of Infested birds treated with ivermectin and birds infested with ectoparasites and kept as untreated control. For this purpose blood samples from treated and untreated infested birds were examined. Blood parameters studied were: Total erythrocytic count (TEC), Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) Crythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Differential leukocytic count DLC). The results of haemotological examinations showed a significant decrease in erythrocytic count, haejmoglobin, packed cell volume and rise in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and increase in differential leukocytic count of treated birds as compared to infested birds.