How to remove ticks from hens? - briefly
Grasp each tick with fine tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull steadily until the mouthparts detach; then clean the bite site with an antiseptic solution and treat the coop with appropriate acaricide. Regular inspections and proper coop hygiene prevent reinfestation.
How to remove ticks from hens? - in detail
Ticks on laying hens can cause blood loss, anemia, and transmit diseases. Prompt removal reduces suffering and prevents infestation spread.
Inspect birds daily, focusing on vent area, under wings, and around the neck. Use a bright light and a hand‑held magnifier to spot small, dark, oval parasites attached to the skin.
Before handling, isolate the affected hen in a clean cage. Wear disposable gloves and have the following tools ready: fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal hook, antiseptic solution (e.g., diluted povidone‑iodine), clean cloths, and a container with rubbing alcohol for discarded ticks.
Removal steps
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with tweezers.
- Apply steady, upward pressure; avoid twisting or crushing the body.
- Pull the parasite straight out in one motion.
- Immediately place the tick in alcohol to kill it.
- Clean the bite site with antiseptic and dab dry with a sterile cloth.
If a tick is firmly embedded, a tick‑removal hook can be slid under the body and lifted without squeezing the abdomen. Chemical options such as a diluted pyrethrin spray may be applied to the surrounding area, but avoid direct contact with the bird’s feathers and mucous membranes. Natural alternatives include a 1 % hydrogen peroxide rinse applied briefly to the bite site; rinse with clean water afterward.
After extraction, monitor the hen for signs of infection—redness, swelling, or lethargy—for at least 48 hours. Administer a broad‑spectrum avian antibiotic if secondary bacterial infection is suspected, following veterinary guidance.
Prevent future infestations by maintaining a dry, well‑ventilated coop, removing manure and debris weekly, and rotating pasture to disrupt tick life cycles. Apply diatomaceous earth to bedding and perches, and consider a monthly acaricide dusting approved for poultry. Regular blood‑sucking insect traps around the enclosure further reduce the risk of new ticks attaching to the flock.