How long does a chicken tick live? - briefly
A chicken tick usually lives for roughly two to three weeks when temperature and humidity are optimal; in cooler or drier settings its lifespan can shrink to five to ten days.
How long does a chicken tick live? - in detail
The lifespan of a tick that parasitizes poultry varies with species, climate, and access to blood meals. The most common parasites of chickens are the northern fowl tick (Argas persicus) and the tropical fowl tick (Ornithodoros moubata). Both follow a four‑stage life cycle—egg, larva, nymph, and adult—and each stage can endure extended periods without feeding.
Northern fowl tick (Argas persicus)
- Eggs hatch in 7–10 days under optimal humidity (≈80 %).
- Larvae and nymphs require a single blood meal to molt; each stage may remain dormant for several months if a host is unavailable.
- Adults feed repeatedly, ingesting small blood volumes each time.
- In temperate environments, an adult can survive 2–3 years, with some individuals documented up to 5 years when shelter and intermittent feeding are provided.
Tropical fowl tick (Ornithodoros moubata)
- Egg development is faster (5–8 days) in warm, humid conditions.
- Nymphal stages may persist for up to 12 months without a host.
- Adults are capable of living 3–4 years, occasionally longer in controlled settings where temperature remains stable (≥25 °C) and humidity is maintained above 70 %.
Factors influencing longevity
- Temperature: Survival declines sharply below 10 °C; optimal range is 20–30 °C.
- Humidity: Desiccation risk rises under dry conditions; relative humidity below 50 % shortens the dormant phases.
- Host availability: Regular blood meals accelerate development and extend adult reproductive output; prolonged starvation can still be endured, especially by adults, which may survive up to 18 months without feeding.
- Shelter: Access to cracks, nests, or coop crevices provides protection from environmental extremes, directly affecting life expectancy.
In summary, adult poultry ticks typically live between two and five years, with the exact duration dependent on species‑specific biology and environmental stability. Their ability to endure long intervals without a host contributes to persistent infestations in backyard and commercial flocks.