Type of paper: Research soft tick (Argas persicus) Infestation at government layer farms of Pothwar region of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Argas persicus is a soft tick which infesting poultry globally. The present study was conducted in three districts of Pothwar region of Punjab Pakistan to determine the prevalence/distribution of A. persicus in white leghorn layer during 2010-2011 at government layer farms. Simple random sampling technique was applied for the collection of soft ticks. A total of 12772 ticks were collected from white leghorn layers. All the ticks were identified as Argas persicus. Higher prevalence of Argas persicus was observed in summer while lowest in the winter season. Government layer farms needs improvement in hygienic conditions to acquired better growth and production from white leg horn layer.