How do fleas on chickens look? - briefly
Fleas infesting chickens are tiny, dark‑brown to reddish insects about 1–3 mm long, laterally flattened with enlarged hind legs for jumping. Their bodies are segmented, covered in fine hairs, and they lack wings.
How do fleas on chickens look? - in detail
Fleas that infest poultry are small, laterally flattened insects measuring approximately 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are dark brown to reddish‑black, with a hardened exoskeleton that gives a glossy appearance. The head is relatively short, bearing long antennae that extend forward and are often visible when the flea is examined under magnification. Mouthparts are adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood, featuring a slender, needle‑like proboscis.
The thorax bears three pairs of legs, each ending in a pair of claws that enable rapid jumping between feathers. Legs are covered with fine hairs that help cling to the bird’s plumage. The abdomen is segmented, swelling after a blood meal; it may appear engorged and take on a more translucent hue. Eggs are oval, about 0.5 mm long, and are deposited on the host’s feathers or in the surrounding litter, where they hatch into larvae within a few days.
Key morphological traits useful for identification:
- Size: 1.5–3 mm, easily visible with a hand lens.
- Color: dark brown to reddish‑black, glossy cuticle.
- Body shape: laterally flattened, facilitating movement through dense feather clusters.
- Antennae: long, forward‑projecting, often visible.
- Legs: six, each with a pair of claws, equipped with microscopic setae.
- Abdomen: segmented, expands after feeding, may appear translucent when engorged.
These characteristics distinguish poultry fleas from other ectoparasites such as lice or mites, which lack the jumping ability and have different body proportions. Recognizing the described features aids in accurate diagnosis and effective control measures.