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Study on identification of ectoparasites of local chickens was conducted from October 2000 to April 2001, on 190 chickens raised under traditional management system in central Ethiopia, namely Jeldu, Sebeta and Awash Melka Kontire. The study indicated that 178 (93.7%) of the examined chickens were infected by diverse species of ectoparasites. Parasitic examination revealed the presence of fourteen species of ectoparasites (fleas, lice, mites and ticks). The prevalence of ectoparasite infection accounted 84.4%, 98.4% and 100% in the highland, midland and lowland sites, respectively. Statistical analysis of the results revealed a significant difference (p