Incidence and damage assessment of rats (Mammalia: Rodentia) infesting poultry and animal farms and their stores in Upper Egypt

Survey of rodents, revealed the presence of the white bellied rat, Rattus rattus frugivorus (Rafinesque), the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) and the Nile grass rat, Arvicanthus niloticus (Desmarest) in poultry and animal farms at Assiut Governorate, while R. r. frugivorus; the grey-bellied rat, Rattus rattus alexandrinus (Geoffray) and R. norvegicus were recorded in stores of poultry farm at Sohag Governorate. The white bellied rat was the most common species (1.4 rats/ day), followed by the Norway rat (0.7 rat/day) and the Nile grass rat (0.6 rat/day) at Assiut Governorate. At Sohag Governorate the grey-bellied rat was the most common species (4.9 rats/ day), followed by the white bellied rat (3.7 rats/ day) and the brown Norway rat (2.5 rats/day) at. The results of differences among rodent species in the droppings were recorded. The percentages of consumption at Assiut Governorate were significantly lower than that at Sohag Governorate. The percentages of poultry and animal feed and sacks contamination at Assiut Governorate were lower than that at Sohag Governorate. 

Survey and distribution of rodent inhabiting eight districts at Gharbia governorate, Egypt

Rodent individuals were noticed in buildings from eight districts viz., Samannoud, El-Mahala, Tanta, Elsanta, Zifta, Bassuon, Kotor and Kafr-El-Zayat districts during two years at Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. The residents noticed 193, 146, 112, 109, 102,  82, 77 and 34 rodent  individuals in Samannoud, El-Mahala, Tanta, Elsanta, Zifta, Bassuon, Kotor and Kafr-El-Zayat  districts respectively during from January 2014 to December 2016 at Gharbia Governorate. There was no significant difference between number of rodent during study period (years), but there was significant difference among places and months. Rodents recorded in Elsanta and Tanta distracts were Rattus rattus (Linn.), Rattus rattus frugivorous (Rafinesque) and Rattus rattus alexandrines (Geoffray) and Rattus norvegicus Berk., and Mus musculus Linn., belonging to two genera (Rattus and Mus) from family Muridae. There was no significant difference between number of rodent during (cities, years and species) but there was significant difference between number of rodent during months and locations. These results could be used in the Integrated Pest Management program to control the rodents.This work proved the presence of R. rattus (Linn.);(R.rattus frugivorous (Rafinesque) and R. rattus alexandrines (Geoffray)] followed by R. norvegicus Berk., and Mus musculus Linn., belonging to two genera (Rattus and Mus) from family Muridae, were recorded in Elsanta and Tanta distracts at Gharbia Governorate.  R. norvegicus Berk.; R. rattus frugivorous (Rafinesque) followed by. R. rattus alexandrines (Geoffray); were recorded in Elsanta and Tanta districts. The highest number of R. norvegicus Berk., were recorded 6 individuals during Summer and Winter seasons in 1st year while 8 individuals were recorded during Autumn in 2nd year from AL-Santa district. The highest number of R. norvegicus Berk., (8 individuals) were recorded during Spring season in 1st year while 5 individuals were recorded during Winter and Spring  seasons in 2nd year from Tanta distract. The highest number of R.rattus frogivorus (Rafinesque) were recorded 5 individuals during Spring season in1st year while 6 individuals were recorded during Winter season in 2nd year from Al-Santa district. The highest number of R. rattus frogivorus (Rafinesque),(4 individuals) were recorded during Summer seasonin1st year while  4 individuals were recorded during Summer, Autumm and Winter seasons in 2nd year from Tanta district.The highest numbers of R. rattus alexandrines (Geoffray) were recorded 5 individuals during Spring season in1st year while 6 individuals were recorded during Spring in 2ndyear from Al-Santa district. The highest number of R. rattus alexandrines (Geoffray).,(4 individuals) were recorded during Summer season in 1st year while 4 individuals were recorded during Summer, Autumm and Winter seasons in 2nd year from Tanta district. There were no significant difference between number of rodent during (Cities, Years and Species) but there were significant difference between number of rodent during months and locations.