What are chicken lice, fleas, and ticks?
These
are ectoparasites of a wide range of
birds, including chickens. They are wingless insects and arachnids with
flattened bodies and six/eight legs. Their color can range from yellowish to
black. Lice, fleas and ticks feed on feathers, scabs, dead skin, and
blood. Their life cycle takes four to six weeks from egg to sexual
maturity. They lay their eggs at the base of the chicken feathers. This is why
it is so important to examine this area closely when looking for external
parasites. Adult lice, fleas and ticks can survive for months on the chicken's
body.
If
you are interested in learning more about other chicken diseases, don't miss
out this article on the most common chicken diseases.
How to prevent lice in chickens?
Most
backyard herds will eventually become infested. Regular inspections are
the best ways to prevent infestations. We should do this, especially during the
months when temperatures rise and parasites are most likely to thrive. In
addition, we should also remember that rodents that live nearby and have access
to the chicken house are a source of external parasites. If possible, we should
prevent these animals from entering the coop.
Lice can
be transmitted from chicken to chicken very easily. Therefore, adding new
chickens to a flock can be dangerous if they are not quarantined and
monitored first. Fortunately, adult lice, however tiny, are visible to the
naked eye and can therefore be easily detected. Some people say they look like
moving grains of rice. The eggs, although smaller, are still easy to spot
because they are clustered at the base of the feathers.
Symptoms
of lice in chickens
Detecting
lice is relatively easy, and with careful monitoring, you can suppress an
infestation before it gets out of control. Symptoms such as a decrease
in egg laying usually indicate that something is wrong. In more severe
cases, we may also notice that chickens look thinner or are not growing as fast
as they should. Since lice feed on the chickens' blood, they often become anemic.
If an anemic chicken is not treated, it can easily contract other infections
and diseases that can lead to death. Chickens may experience other symptoms of
lice, including:
·
Scratching.
·
Pecking on the skin.
·
Discoloration of feathers on the tail and breast.
·
Pale combs and wattles.
·
Reddish-brown, blotchy areas.
·
Wings that look as if they have been chewed on.
·
Transmit fowlpox
How to get rid of lice in chickens?
To
prevent the outbreak of the disease from being fatal, the flocks should be
treated immediately when lice are discovered in them. As soon as you notice the
parasite, you should consult a veterinarian specializing in chickens. Usually,
anti parasitic drugs such as seven
or chali dudu are prescribed. It is usually necessary to
apply the drug more than once. It is available in powder form. Gloves must be
worn during application.
You
should also remove the chickens from the coop and disinfect it thoroughly.
Lice cannot live in the environment, but a clean environment prevents the
appearance of other parasites that could harm the already weakened chickens.
Finally,
remember that prevention is always the best medicine.
Home remedies for the treatment of lice in chickens
There are a
variety of natural cleansers to treat lice, but apple cider vinegar stand out
for their effectiveness. Chickens usually know they have a lice problem long
before we do. So give them access to dust baths, preferably
sprinkled with diatomaceous earth. There are also natural aerosols with
deworming enzymes that smother and dehydrate both lice and mites.
If we
suspect a parasite infestation in the chicken house, we must resort to
insecticides
Comments
Post a Comment