Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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Red mites:
These are more common in litter-raised birds than in caged birds and are pre-
dominant in warmer climates or during summer months. One female mite lays as many
as 120,000 eggs. Chicks are vulnerable and can die if you have a severe red mite infesta-
tion in your flock.
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Scaly leg mite:
Thesemitesburrowundertheunfeatheredpartofskinonachicken'slegs.
Infestationcausesthescalesonthebird'slegstoriseupandawayfromtheskin.Visually
check your bird to see that its legs and scales are healthy. In a severe case, these mites
will move to wattles and combs. Treat them with petroleum jelly.
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Feather mites:
These mites live in the bird's plumage and damage the chicken's coat by
eating the feathers. They are not common in North America.
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Fowl mites:
Fowl mites are common and are found in cooler climates. Symptoms of in-
festation include large numbers of mites on the skin during the day, scabby skin around
thevent,darkenedfeathersaroundthevent,andmitescrawlingoneggsinthenest.Using
a pesticide approved for poultry will help control infestation. The appropriate pesticide
will list on the bottle that it is approved for poultry. The danger involved with the fowl
miteisthatitlivesitsentirelifeonachicken,whichisaboutaweek.Thismeansahigher
rate of reproduction as it goes through its life cycle.
Lice also come in a variety of species. Some lice prefer chickens and no other type of bird or
mammal. Different types of lice have different preferences for the parts of the body they feast
on. These parasites feed on the feathers and skin, but some varieties eat through the skin to
get to the blood.
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Head lice:
This is the most common lice infestation. The Polish and Cochin chicken
breeds are susceptible to head lice because of the amount of plumage around their faces.
Spraying them lightly with poultry-approved pesticide will help prevent lice. Be careful
to avoid the eyes.
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Wing lice:
They like to hide under a chicken's wing and may infect the vent area and
breast.
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Body lice:
If a chicken is infested with body lice, you will notice scabs on the bird's skin
and egg masses at the base of the feathers.
