**Collection and examination of ectoparasites**

Ectoparasites, which were visible in live chickens, were collected gently using thumb forceps. All the collected ectoparasites of each chicken were preserved in a test tube containing 70% ethyl alcohol until the time of identification. The legs of each chicken were carefully examined for the presence of any inflammatory lesion, and if it is present, skin scraping was obtained using a clean blade and the scraped sample was mixed with 10% KOH and examined under the microscope for the presence of mites. Ectoparasites were collected by spraying a commercial insecticide over all of the body and in areas where suspected lesions of ectoparasites were present the entire body and feathers were then gently rubbed over a white cloth with a strong light source.
