author(s)
Sanjana Bora, Liakot Hussain, Manoranjan Das, Saidul Islam and Kamal Hashan Bulbul

abstract
Fly strike also known as myiasis, is the infestation of any part of the body by the larvae of Cyclorrhaphan dipterous insect (maggot) which feed on host tissues or body fluids. Economic loss in terms of meat, milk and wool production in livestock has been well documented; the same in poultry however is rather ignored by workers both in India and abroad engaged in avian health. Although mortality is negligible, morbidity may be enormous resulting in reduced both egg and meat production. Therefore, the present study has been undertaken in 13 broiler farms with stock capacity ranged from 201 to 1000 in Kamrup district of Assam to observe the prevalence of myiasis. A total of 2015, 2005, 2258 and 982 birds were examined at the age of 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th weeks, respectively. The overall infestation rate was 1.24%. The study revealed 0(0.00%), 21(1.05%), 45(1.99%) and 24(2.24%) birds infected with myiasis at the age of 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th week, respectively. In regards to stock capacity the prevalence rate was recorded as 0.28%, 0.45%, 1.27% and 1.79% with number of birds ranging from 201-400, 401-600, 601-800 and 801-1000, respectively. The c² test revealed significant difference (p<0.05) in prevalence rate of myiasis amongst both the age groups and stock capacity of broilers in the commercial broiler farms. The maggots were identified as that of Chrysomia bezziana. It was observed that more was the age and stock capacity more was the infection rate of fly strike. The vent area was found to be prone for infestation with maggot as this site get generally contaminated with filthy litter mixing with cloacal secretions making the area vulnerable for attraction of flies.