How to eliminate lice on broilers? - briefly
Effective control requires thorough cleaning of housing, regular litter replacement, and application of approved acaricides according to label directions. Monitoring bird health and maintaining biosecurity prevent re‑infestation.
How to eliminate lice on broilers? - in detail
Lice infestations in broiler flocks cause skin irritation, reduced feed conversion and increased mortality. The principal species affecting poultry are Menacanthus stramineus and Lipeurus caponis. Their life cycle lasts 5–7 days; eggs hatch within 24 hours, and nymphs reach adulthood in 3–4 days. Rapid reproduction requires prompt intervention.
Accurate detection relies on systematic examination of a representative sample of birds. Inspect the vent area, feather shafts and skin folds for moving insects, nymphs or eggs. Collect a few specimens for microscopic confirmation when species identification is uncertain.
Control strategies combine environmental management, chemical treatment and non‑chemical methods:
- Clean and disinfect housing after each flock turnover; remove litter, replace bedding and sanitize all equipment.
- Apply approved acaricides according to label instructions; rotate products with different modes of action to delay resistance.
- Use dust baths containing diatomaceous earth or fine sand; provide at least 0.5 kg per bird to promote mechanical removal of parasites.
- Introduce controlled heat treatment in empty houses; maintain ambient temperature above 45 °C for 30 minutes to eliminate all life stages.
- Implement regular grooming with low‑concentration insecticidal sprays on feather shafts, avoiding overdosing.
Chemical options include pyrethroids, organophosphates and newer macrocyclic lactones. Recommended practices:
- Select a product with proven efficacy against poultry lice.
- Apply at the dosage specified for the bird’s weight class.
- Observe a withdrawal period before slaughter to ensure residue compliance.
- Record treatment dates and product batch numbers for traceability.
Monitoring after each intervention is essential. Conduct weekly visual checks for at least three weeks; record parasite counts and compare with pre‑treatment levels. If lice persist, reassess sanitation procedures and consider a second‑line acaricide with a different action mechanism.
Biosecurity measures reduce re‑infestation risk:
- Restrict movement of personnel and equipment between houses.
- Install footbaths and hand sanitizers at entry points.
- Quarantine newly acquired birds for a minimum of 14 days and treat prophylactically.
- Prevent wild bird access by sealing openings and using netting.
A systematic approach integrating sanitation, targeted chemical use, mechanical removal and strict biosecurity achieves rapid reduction of lice populations and maintains flock health.