How long do chicken lice live? - briefly
Adult chicken lice survive roughly 5‑7 days, while the complete life cycle from egg to adult spans about 2‑3 weeks under typical conditions.
How long do chicken lice live? - in detail
Chicken lice (Menacanthus spp. and other poultry ectoparasites) complete their entire life cycle on a single host. An adult female lays 30‑100 eggs over a 2‑week period. Eggs hatch within 3‑5 days, releasing nymphs that undergo three molts. Each molt requires 2‑3 days, so the nymphal phase lasts approximately 6‑9 days. Once the final molt occurs, the adult emerges and can survive for 2‑3 weeks without feeding, but under optimal conditions—adequate temperature (25‑30 °C), high humidity, and regular blood meals—adults may live up to 30 days.
Key factors influencing longevity:
- Temperature: Below 15 °C development slows dramatically; mortality rises sharply above 35 °C.
- Humidity: Relative humidity below 50 % accelerates desiccation and reduces adult lifespan; 70‑80 % humidity supports maximum survival.
- Host availability: Continuous access to a chicken provides sustenance, extending adult life; removal of the host shortens survival to a few days.
- Chemical control: Insecticide exposure can kill adults within hours, truncating the natural lifespan.
Overall, the complete cycle—from egg to reproducing adult—takes roughly 2‑3 weeks, and a mature louse can persist for an additional 2‑4 weeks under favorable conditions.