Chickens have fleas, what to do? - briefly
Treat the flock with a poultry‑safe insecticide and clean the coop thoroughly, then monitor and repeat treatment as needed. Keep bedding fresh and maintain a dry environment to prevent re‑infestation.
Chickens have fleas, what to do? - in detail
When a flock shows signs of flea infestation, immediate intervention is required to protect bird health and prevent egg contamination.
First, confirm the presence of fleas by inspecting the vent area, under wings, and the coop floor for small, dark, jumping insects. Use a fine-toothed comb or a white sheet to collect specimens for identification if necessary.
Next, implement environmental control:
- Remove all bedding, dispose of it in a sealed bag, and replace with clean, dry material such as sand or pine shavings that lack aromatic oils.
- Thoroughly clean the coop, scrubbing surfaces with a dilute solution of potassium permanganate (1 g per liter) or a veterinary‑approved disinfectant. Rinse and dry completely.
- Seal cracks, gaps, and openings that allow wild rodents or birds to enter, as they can carry fleas.
- Install a fine mesh over ventilation openings to block insect entry while maintaining airflow.
Then, treat the birds directly:
- Apply a topical insecticide formulated for poultry, following the label dosage precisely. Common products contain pyrethrins or permethrin; avoid organophosphates due to toxicity risk.
- For systemic control, administer an oral anti‑parasitic medication such as ivermectin at 0.2 mg/kg body weight, respecting withdrawal periods for eggs and meat.
- Dust the birds with a pharmaceutical‑grade diatomaceous earth (food grade, particle size < 10 µm) to desiccate adult fleas and larvae. Apply evenly to feather bases, avoiding the eyes and beak.
Maintain a strict schedule:
- Repeat topical treatment after 7 days to interrupt the flea life cycle.
- Re‑dust the flock weekly for at least three weeks.
- Conduct a second coop sanitation after the first treatment cycle to eliminate newly hatched larvae.
Monitor progress by counting fleas on a white sheet placed under a bird for a set time (e.g., 5 minutes) each week. A declining count indicates effective control; a stable or increasing count necessitates revisiting treatment dosage or environmental measures.
Finally, establish preventive practices:
- Rotate bedding weekly and keep moisture below 50 % relative humidity.
- Limit free‑range access during peak flea seasons (spring and early summer) or provide a treated perch area.
- Conduct quarterly health checks, integrating flea surveillance into the overall parasite management plan.
These steps, executed systematically, eradicate current infestations and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.