What do ticks look like on chickens? - briefly
Ticks are small, oval parasites, dark‑brown to reddish‑black, that attach to a chicken’s skin, usually near the vent, under feathers, or on the legs. When unfed they appear as raised bumps, sometimes surrounded by a pale halo, and they enlarge and become more pronounced as they fill with blood.
What do ticks look like on chickens? - in detail
Ticks that infest chickens are small arachnids, typically 2–5 mm long as adults. Their bodies are oval and flattened, allowing them to cling tightly to feathers. The dorsal surface is covered with a leathery, brown‑to‑dark brown shield (scutum) that may appear glossy when moist. Legs are eight, slender, and pale, often barely visible against the body. When engorged after feeding, the abdomen expands, turning a reddish‑brown hue and increasing the overall size to about 6–10 mm.
The most common species on poultry include:
- Northern fowl tick (Argas persicus) – soft‑bodied, elongated, pale‑yellow to tan when unfed; turns dark brown after a blood meal. Often found in the vent area, under the wings, and in the skin folds of the neck.
- Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) – hard‑bodied, dark brown or black, with a distinct scutum. Prefers the legs and toes, especially around the hock joints.
- American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) – reddish‑brown with white markings on the scutum; may be seen on the back and tail feathers.
Ticks undergo three developmental stages: larva, nymph, and adult. Larvae are tiny (≈1 mm), translucent, and lack a scutum, making them difficult to detect. Nymphs resemble adults but are smaller and lighter in color. Identification relies on observing the size, body shape, coloration, and the presence or absence of a scutum.
Typical attachment sites on chickens are:
- Around the vent and cloacal region, where skin folds provide protection.
- Under the wings, especially near the axillary joints.
- In the featherless skin of the neck and base of the comb.
- Between the toes and on the shank, where moisture accumulates.
Visible signs include small, moving specks that may be seen crawling on the plumage or embedded in the skin. Engorged ticks appear as swollen, darkened nodules that can be mistaken for scabs. Careful inspection of the aforementioned areas, combined with knowledge of the tick’s morphology, enables accurate detection.