What do fleas on chickens look like? - briefly
Chicken fleas are tiny, dark brown insects measuring 1–2 mm, with a flattened, laterally compressed body and strong hind legs for jumping. They possess short antennae and a flea‑like silhouette that distinguishes them from other poultry parasites.
What do fleas on chickens look like? - in detail
Fleas that infest chickens are small, laterally flattened insects measuring about 1–2 mm in length. Their bodies are dark brown to reddish‑brown, with a hard, chitinous exoskeleton that gives a glossy appearance. The head is broad, equipped with short antennae and powerful hind legs adapted for jumping. Each hind leg ends in a pair of enlarged femora and tibiae that store elastic energy, allowing rapid leaps of up to 30 cm.
Key morphological features include:
- Body shape: flattened from side to side, facilitating movement through feathers.
- Coloration: uniform dark brown to reddish tones; no distinct patterns or stripes.
- Legs: long hind legs with strong spines; forelegs are shorter, used for gripping the host’s skin.
- Mouthparts: piercing‑sucking stylets designed to penetrate the bird’s skin and feed on blood.
- Combs: a row of stiff setae (genal and pronotal combs) along the head and thorax, useful for species identification.
Life‑stage appearance differs slightly:
- Eggs: oval, white, about 0.5 mm, deposited in the nest or on the bird’s plumage.
- Larvae: elongated, cream‑colored, lacking legs, equipped with bristles for anchoring in debris.
- Pupae: encased in silken cocoons within the litter; darkening as they mature.
- Adults: as described above, fully wingless, capable of rapid movement across the bird’s body.
Adult fleas are most commonly observed around the vent, under the wings, and on the legs where skin folds provide easy access to blood vessels. Their presence is indicated by tiny dark specks moving quickly through feathers, occasional visible blood spots on the plumage, and a characteristic “flea‑bitten” irritation on the skin.