How to get rid of a tick-borer in chickens? - briefly
Apply a veterinarian‑approved acaricide such as permethrin or pyrethrin following label instructions, then thoroughly clean the coop, replace bedding, and implement pasture rotation to interrupt the parasite’s life cycle. Maintain regular inspection of birds and environmental sanitation to prevent reinfestation.
How to get rid of a tick-borer in chickens? - in detail
Tick borers (Ornithodoros spp.) infestations in backyard and small‑scale flocks cause anemia, reduced egg production, and can transmit pathogens. Effective control requires a systematic approach that addresses the parasite’s life cycle, environmental conditions, and host management.
Identify the problem. Adult ticks attach to the vent area, legs, or under the wings, feeding for several days. Eggs are laid in the coop litter, hatch in 2–3 weeks, and larvae seek a host. Early detection involves weekly inspection of birds for engorged ticks, scabs, or blood‑stained feathers, and visual examination of the coop for clusters of eggs or dead larvae.
Interrupt the life cycle.
- Remove all litter, manure, and nesting material; replace with clean, dry bedding.
- Clean and disinfect the coop using a solution of 1 % sodium hypochlorite or a commercial poultry‑approved disinfectant; allow surfaces to dry completely.
- Apply a residual acaricide (e.g., permethrin 5 % spray) to perches, nest boxes, and cracks where ticks hide. Follow label dosage and safety intervals.
- Treat the birds directly with a topical acaricide approved for poultry (e.g., fluralaner 0.5 % pour‑on). Repeat the treatment after 7 days to target newly emerged larvae.
- Heat‑treat equipment and feed storage areas at ≥ 55 °C for 30 minutes to kill eggs and larvae.
Implement preventive measures.
- Keep coop dry; moisture accelerates egg development. Install ventilation and use absorbent bedding changed weekly.
- Rotate pasture or provide free‑range access only after the area has been rested for at least 30 days, reducing residual tick populations.
- Install physical barriers (mesh screens) on windows and doors to prevent wild birds and rodents, which can harbor ticks, from entering the coop.
- Use diatomaceous earth (food‑grade) lightly dusted on perches and floor; it desiccates ticks without harming chickens.
- Schedule regular health checks; record any tick sightings and treatment dates to monitor trends.
If chemical control is undesirable, consider biological alternatives. Entomopathogenic fungi (e.g., Metarhizium anisopliae) applied as a spray can reduce tick numbers, but efficacy varies with environmental humidity and requires repeated applications.
Maintain biosecurity. Limit movement of equipment between flocks, quarantine new birds for at least 14 days, and sanitize transport crates before introduction.
By combining thorough sanitation, targeted acaricide application, environmental management, and ongoing monitoring, a flock can be cleared of tick borers and protected against re‑infestation.