How to treat fleas in broilers? - briefly
Use a licensed insecticidal spray or dust on the birds and housing, add diatomaceous earth to the litter, and maintain strict sanitation and biosecurity to prevent reinfestation.
How to treat fleas in broilers? - in detail
Flea infestations in broiler flocks cause skin irritation, reduced weight gain, and increased mortality. Effective control requires an integrated approach that combines accurate diagnosis, environmental sanitation, chemical interventions, and ongoing monitoring.
Accurate diagnosis begins with visual inspection of birds for pruritus, crusted lesions, and flea movement in feather shafts. Collect live specimens using fine‑toothed combs or sticky traps placed near perches. Identify species under a microscope; the most common culprit is Ctenocephalides felis.
Environmental sanitation reduces the reservoir where fleas develop. Remove litter daily, replace with fresh bedding, and clean housing structures with high‑pressure water. Apply a residual insecticide to cracks, crevices, and under perches. Ensure ventilation rates exceed 0.5 m³ s⁻¹ per bird to lower humidity, which discourages egg hatching.
Chemical control options include:
- Topical insecticides – pyrethrin‑based sprays applied to the bird’s dorsal surface at the label‑recommended dose. Repeat after 7 days to target emerging larvae.
- Systemic acaricides – oral ivermectin (0.2 mg kg⁻¹) administered via drinking water. Observe a 48‑hour withdrawal period before processing.
- Environmental powders – diatomaceous earth spread at 1 kg m⁻², effective against adult fleas and larvae on litter.
When selecting products, verify that they are approved for use in poultry and adhere to withdrawal times stipulated by regulatory agencies.
Non‑chemical measures complement drug treatment:
- Rotate litter types (e.g., straw, wood shavings) to disrupt the flea life cycle.
- Install perch designs that minimize hiding spaces.
- Implement strict biosecurity: restrict entry of external equipment, disinfect footwear, and quarantine new birds for at least 14 days.
Monitoring continues after intervention. Use sticky traps weekly to assess adult flea counts. Record mortality, weight gain, and skin condition to evaluate efficacy. If counts remain above threshold (≥5 fleas per trap), repeat treatment cycles and consider rotating insecticide classes to prevent resistance.
Documentation of all actions, dosages, and observations enables traceability and supports compliance with food safety standards. By integrating precise diagnosis, rigorous sanitation, targeted pharmacology, and vigilant follow‑up, flea populations can be suppressed to levels that no longer impact broiler performance.