Parasites can be detected on the external surfaces
of the body by way of a thorough physical examination. Periodical
examination of the flock can help to detect an early infestation
and can help to prevent a larger flock outbreak. It is important
to detect infestations early because of the restrictions on treatments
available for food-producing birds. Moreover, many of the parasites
have an environmental component so treating the environment is
also necessary for controlling infestations. Prevention and early
detection are the keys to successful treatment and control of
external parasites in poultry flocks. The most common external
parasites seen in poultry are lice and mites.
Poultry Lice
Poultry lice are tiny, wingless, 6-legged, flat-bodied, insects
with broad, round heads. They lay their eggs on the host bird’s
feathers, especially near the base of the feather shaft (Figure
1). A female louse will lay 50 to 300 eggs at a time,
which she cements to the feather shaft. There are several
species of lice that affect poultry, and multiple species
can affect a bird at any given time. Some species can be localized
on specific locations like the quill lice; or others can be
found over most of the body surface like the chicken body
lice. The lice found on poultry do not suck blood as the lice
found in other species of animals; rather they feed on dry
skin scales, feathers, and scabs. However, they will ingest
blood extruding from irritated skin. The entire life cycle
of the lice occurs on the host bird, primarily in the feathers.
Poultry lice are host specific and cannot be transferred to
humans.
Autumn and winter are the most common times to observe lice infestations.
Inspect the ventral region of the bird for live lice crawling
on the bird and for nits (lice eggs) as most infestations start
in this area of the bird’s body. Eggs are white and commonly
appear in bunches on the lower feather shaft. Feathers of infested
birds may have a moth-eaten appearance. Due to the feather damage,
the bird may have a dull or roughened appearance.
Poultry Mites
There are two major types of mites found on the body of poultry.
They are the Northern Fowl Mite (or in tropical environments,
the Tropical Fowl Mite) and the Chicken Mite (or Red Roost Mite).
The Northern Fowl Mite is the most common external parasite in
poultry, especially in cool weather climates. It sucks blood from
all different types of fowl and can live in the temperate regions
of the world. As compared to the Chicken Mite, the Northern Fowl
Mite primarily remains on the host for its entire life cycle.
These mites can live off the host bird for 2 to 3 weeks. These
mites are small and black or brown in color, have 8 legs, and
are commonly spread through bird-to-bird contact. The Tropical
Fowl Mite is comparable to the Northern Fowl Mite but lives in
the tropical regions.
The Chicken Mite is a nocturnal mite that is primarily a warm
weather pest. These mites suck the blood from the birds at night
and then hide in the cracks and crevices of the houses during
the day. Chicken Mites are dark brown or black, much like the
Northern Fowl Mite.
The life cycle of mites can be as little as 10 days, which
allows for a quick turnover and heavy infestations. Mites
can be transferred between flocks by crates, clothing, and
wild birds. Mites are capable of living in the environment
and off the host bird for a period of time. Diagnoses of mite
infestations are similar to that of lice; however since mites
can live off the bird and some are nocturnal, inspect birds
and housing facilities at night especially if you suspect
that the Chicken Mite is the cause of the infestation. Observable
signs may include darkening of the feathers on white feathered
birds due to mite feces; scabbing of the skin near the vent;
mite eggs on the fluff feathers and along the feather shaft
(Figure 2); or congregations of mites around
the vent, ventral abdomen, tail, or throat. Since mites congregate
around the ventral region, they can also reduce a rooster’s
ability of successful matings.
Flock Symptoms
Flocks infested with lice or mites show similar general symptoms.
Birds will have decreased egg production; decreased weight gain;
decreased carcass-grading quality; increased disease susceptibility;
and decreased food intake. If any of these generalized symptoms
are observed, a visual evaluation is recommended. Inspect birds
around the ventral region for signs of lice or mites since infestations
usually start in this area of the bird.
Treatments
Sanitation and cleanliness are the keys to lice and mite control.
Sanitation includes cleaning and disinfecting housing facilities
and equipment between flocks. Moreover, reducing people traffic
through housing facilities is recommended. Eliminating the contact
between flocks and wild birds can reduce the potential transfer
of external parasites. Treat the walls, floors, roosts, nest boxes,
and the birds simultaneously. When dusting an entire house, be
careful to avoid feed contamination. One treatment method for
small flocks or individual birds is the use of a dusting bath
with Sevin®. Place the bird into a garbage bag containing
the medicated powder with the birds’ head out and rotate/shake
the bag to completely cover the bird with powder. Be sure not
to inhale the medicated powder during treatments. The use of a
facial mask is recommended to prevent inhaling this medicated
powder. Because the life cycle of lice and mites is. approximately
2 weeks, treatments should be repeated every 2 weeks as needed.
Carefully read all labels prior to treatment to make sure withdrawal
times are followed for food-producing poultry. Severe lice or
mite infestations can be treated initially with a kitten strength
dose of a pyrethrin-based medicated spray on the birds to reduce
the initial numbers. If problems persist, contact a veterinarian
for treatment with such medications as Ivermectin?. Prevention
is the best method of treatment. For poultry used in exhibition
or for new poultry entering the flock, a minimum quarantine period
of 2 weeks is recommended. During this time birds should be physically
examined and treated if necessary.
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