How do chicken bugs look? - briefly
«Chicken bugs» are tiny, oval‑shaped ectoparasites, typically 0.5–3 mm long, reddish‑brown or gray, with a flattened body and six legs. They attach to feathers or skin, appearing as moving specks or fine dust when infestations become noticeable.
How do chicken bugs look? - in detail
The appearance of poultry ectoparasites varies among species, but several key characteristics are consistent.
Adult red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are oval, reddish‑brown, and measure 0.5–1 mm in length. Their bodies are flattened laterally, enabling movement through feather gaps. Legs are short, ending in claw‑like tarsi that grip feathers. When engorged after a blood meal, the abdomen expands, giving a darker, more rounded silhouette.
Northern fowl mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) are slightly larger, 0.6–1.2 mm, with a pale tan to reddish hue. The dorsal shield is smooth, lacking the distinct pattern seen in red mites. Legs are longer relative to body size, facilitating rapid crawling across the bird’s skin.
Scaly leg mites (Knemidocoptes mutans) differ markedly. They are microscopic, 0.2–0.3 mm, and possess a cylindrical body covered in overlapping scales that give a rough texture. The front limbs are adapted for burrowing into the skin around the legs and toes, producing observable crusty lesions.
Life‑stage morphology:
• Eggs: white, oval, 0.1 mm, attached to nesting material or the bird’s skin.
• Larvae: six‑legged, translucent, 0.2 mm, lacking fully developed mouthparts.
• Nymphs: eight‑legged, pale, 0.3–0.5 mm, resembling miniature adults but without reproductive organs.
• Adults: fully pigmented, reproductively active, dimensions as described above.
Typical locations on the bird:
• Red mites: hide in roosting areas, descend onto the host at night to feed on the ventral side of the neck, breast, and abdomen.
• Northern fowl mites: remain on the bird continuously, concentrating on the ventral surface, especially under the wings and around the cloaca.
• Scaly leg mites: confined to the legs, toes, and surrounding skin, creating thickened, scaly plaques.
Recognition of these visual traits enables accurate identification and timely intervention.