Lice beetles are microscopic insects that settle on poultry, cause discomfort to them, lead to loss of weight, productivity, and in some cases, the death of laying hens. They get to birds from infected individuals or during dust baths. It is possible to detect feather eaters in chickens and get rid of them at home. The main thing is to start treatment on time and do not forget about preventive measures.
Who are feather eaters and lice eaters?
Pere eaters are wingless insects 2-3 mm in size. Their other definitions are chicken mite or chicken louse. Appearance characteristics:
- elongated, flattened body covered with a sandy-brown shell;
- a triangular head is located above the body;
- on the chest there are 3 pairs of legs with claws with which the lice eater attaches to the feathers of the victim.
Unlike other parasites, they feed on particles of dead flesh, fluff and ichor released from scratching or pecking areas. The ideal natural habitat for the periodontal beetle is air humidity above 80%, temperature above +30˚С.
Features of the development and vital activity of chicken fleas:
| Number of eggs laid daily by a female in the feathers of a bird, pcs. | 10 |
| Period of development to adulthood, days | 21-28 |
| Duration of life on the body of birds, days | 30 |
| Life expectancy outside the host, days | 6 |
| Number of individuals per 1 chicken, pcs. | 10 thousand |
Young poultry are more susceptible to infection by the lice beetle.
Causes of the disease and routes of infection
The main factors that increase the risk of infection:
- violation of veterinary hygiene standards;
- transfer of fleas on worker’s shoes or equipment;
- visiting a chicken coop or wild bird feeder;
- taking dust baths at the same time for sick and healthy chickens;
- purchasing an infected individual and placing it in the chicken coop.
The outbreak of parasite activity occurs in spring and autumn. During these periods, the risk of infection of birds with lice beetle is many times higher.
Symptoms of the lesion
Signs indicating the presence of lice beetle in birds:
- decreased appetite and weight of poultry;
- manifestation of nervousness, anxiety, chickens pull out feathers and constantly clean them;
- damage to the plumage at the base, exposed rod;
- the appearance of bald spots and abrasions on the body;
- discharge from the eyes; when the liquid dries, a crust forms.
Important! In one week, one sick chicken can infect the entire chicken coop.
Diagnostics
A parasitic infection called mallophagosis is identified by bald patches on the back. But bald spots do not always indicate the presence of a feather eater. They also appear due to a lack of vitamins, dry, stale air, and high humidity in the chicken coop. Baldness also occurs during shedding.
Therefore, to make a diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account other symptoms that are characteristic of mallophagosis.
How to rid chickens of parasites?
When a disease is detected, the breeder faces 2 problems:
- Treatment of infected individuals.
- Preventing the spread of infection by separating affected birds from healthy ones.
It takes from 3 months to six months to remove the period.
Drugs
Insecticides are considered the best cures for lice beetle.
5 products that have proven themselves in the fight against parasites:
- Dana. Based on the degree of impact on chickens, it is considered a moderately dangerous product. Its use is allowed to treat young animals over 2 months of age.
- Butox. Universal liquid preparation. It is used for processing poultry and for disinfecting premises by spraying.
- Insectal. Release form: powder. The bird must be powdered and then rubbed into the base of the feathers.
- Leopard. A solution for external use, designed to treat dogs against parasites, and is also used to rid birds of ticks and fleas.
- Frontline. The medicine is applied pointwise. During the day, the substance gradually spreads over the surface of the chicken’s body.
The products kill insects by dissolving the shell; chemicals do not harm birds. But after treatment, the bird’s beak should be tied.The toxic composition affects adult ticks; it does not spread to the egg. Therefore, the procedure must be repeated after 7-10 days.
Chicken coop treatment
To completely get rid of the fluff eater, you should, in parallel with treating the bird, disinfect the room where it is kept. The following agents are used for disinfection: Butox, Pyrethrum, karbofos.
Disinfection procedure:
- The chickens are temporarily moved to another room. Remove food, dishes, and bedding from the chicken coop. Clean the building from droppings.
- Dilute the product in accordance with the instructions and treat the room. Close the doors tightly so that the vapors are absorbed. Then the chicken coop needs to be ventilated.
- Lay fresh straw, wash tools and dishes.
The bird is moved back after 2 days.
Traditional treatment
For greater effect, you should use traditional methods simultaneously with medications. They are effective in treating young individuals, since chemicals have a detrimental effect on a fragile body.
Sand and ash bath
Boxes filled with sand and wood ash in equal proportions are placed in the room. To enhance the therapeutic effect, powder insecticides are added.
Dry wormwood powder
The smell of the plant repels ticks. They increase efficiency by adding pyrethrum (Persian chamomile) ground into flour to the powder.
Camomile tea
To prepare a decoction for 1 liter of water you need to take 4 tbsp. l. dried flowers, boil for 5 minutes. After cooling, rub into the feather cover of the birds.
Herbs
The lice eater cannot stand the “fragrance” of tansy, wild rosemary, juniper and rosemary. They are laid out around the chicken coop, and the infusion is sprayed on the infected livestock.
Important! Kerosene, which is also used for treatment, kills both the beetle and its eggs. But it can only be used for adult chickens.
Possible consequences
Delayed treatment can lead to:
- infection of the entire population and death of poultry;
- due to weakening of the body, the productivity of laying hens decreases;
- chickens gain weight slowly.
Bald patches on the body become covered with wounds, which leads to the bird becoming infected with infectious diseases.
Preventive actions
Preventive measures to reduce the risk of lice beetle damage:
- provide the birds with the opportunity to walk, do not keep them in a confined space;
- keep the room clean: change the bedding in a timely manner, treat perches and nests with boiling water;
- do not use wood to equip the chicken coop;
- avoid contact with wild birds, periodically inspect chickens;
- workers serving birds should observe hygiene standards: have special shoes and clothing for working with birds.
- Provide chickens with a balanced diet.
Having discovered the first signs of a bird being affected by a bird eater, you should immediately begin treatment. This will help avoid mass infection and death of birds.
