The ectoparasites of importance include;
Ticks such as Argas persicus
Mites such as Dermanyssus gallinae, Cnemidocoptes mutans and Ornithonyssus sylvarum.
Flea such as Echidnophaga gallinacean(stick tight flea)
Louse such as Menchanthus stramineus(chicken body louse) and Menopon gallinae(shaft/feather louse).
This tick is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical countries. All stages are found hiding in cracks and crevices in the poultry house during the day. Adults feed on the host for 2-7 days(day and night). The importance of Argas persicus in poultry is in the transmission of Borrelia anserine, the causative agent of spirochaetosis.
Clinical signs: Anaemia, weight loss, depression, paralysis, drop in egg production.
Post-mortem lesion: Red spots on the skin where the ticks feed.
Diagnosis: Based on history, clinical signs and post-mortem lesion.
Treatment: Clean poultry houses regularly and cover cracks and crevices.
Use acaricide sprays routinely in the poultry house.
Dermanyssus gallinae(Red mites)
They affect domestic poultry, pigeons, canaries and wild birds. The red mites hide during the day under the poultry litter, cracks,crevices and at night, they feed on the susceptible host.
Transmission is by contact with infected birds, animals or inanimate object.
Clinical signs: weight loss, reduced egg production and unthriftiness.
Diagnosis: Based on history and clinical signs.
Treatment/control
Use acaricide solution on the litter, cracks and crevices.
Dust the birds with acaricide powder.
Ornithonyssus sylvarum
They affect chickens and turkeys severely. They are obligate blood sucking parasites that complete their lifecycle on the host. The infestation originates from the vent to the tail, back and legs of birds. The feathers are soiled with the mite eggs, skin, dried blood and excrement.
Clinical signs: weight loss, reduced egg production and depression.
Diagnosis: Based on history and clinical signs.
Treatment/control
Use acaricide solution on the litter, cracks and crevices.
Dust the birds with acaricide powder.
This is a small spherical sarcoptic mite that tunnels into the tissues under the scale of the skin.
Clinical signs: irritation, exudation leading to thickening encrusted legs. They may also attack the comb and wattle. Transmission is by contact.
Treatment
By topical application of acaricide solution on the affected legs and poultry houses
Cnemidocoptes gallinae(Depluming mites)
This is found in the epidermis at the base of the feathers shafts and cause intense irritation and feather pulling in chickens, pigeons and geese.
Treatment
Topical application of acaricide solution.
This is also known as stick tight flea. The adult flea attaches mainly to the skin of the head for days and releases the eggs in the poultry litter. The flea affects cchickens, turkeys, pigeons, pheasants and quails.
Clinical signs: irritation, blood loss leading to anaemia and death.
Treatment
Remove infested litter
Use acaricide solution on the litter to kill innate fleas.
Topical application of acaricide solution on the head of the birds.
The chicken body louse(Menchantus stramineus) and shaft louse/feather louse(Menopon gallinae) are commonly found in layer and breeder flocks. They are yellowish and approximately 1/16 inch long. They feed on dry skin and feathers with the entire life cycle on the host. These lice gum their eggs on the feathers of the host and eggs hatch into nymph then to adulthood. They cause severe irritation on the host, reduced appetite and in laying flock , reduced egg production.
Treatment
Remove infested litter
Use acaricide solution on the litter to kill innate fleas.
Topical application of acaricide solution on the head of the birds.