What should be done about ticks on chickens? - briefly
Inspect the flock daily, remove attached ticks with tweezers, and treat the coop and surrounding area with a poultry‑safe acaricide or diatomaceous earth. Keep the coop dry, eliminate tall vegetation, and rotate pastures to prevent re‑infestation.
What should be done about ticks on chickens? - in detail
Ticks can attach to the skin and feather base of poultry, feeding on blood and causing irritation, anemia, and potential disease transmission. Prompt recognition and systematic control are essential to protect flock health and productivity.
First, inspect birds daily, focusing on the vent area, under the wings, and around the tail. Remove visible ticks with tweezers, grasping as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight out to avoid leaving mouthparts embedded.
Second, reduce the environment that supports tick development. Clear tall grass, weeds, and brush around coops. Keep litter dry, replace bedding regularly, and seal cracks in the coop floor to prevent wildlife entry. Rotate pastures when feasible, allowing at least a two‑week interval for tick life stages to die off.
Third, apply approved ectoparasitic treatments. Options include:
- Topical acaricides: Permethrin‑based sprays applied to the bird’s skin and feathers according to label directions; re‑treat after 7–10 days to interrupt the life cycle.
- Oral medications: Ivermectin (off‑label use) administered at 0.2 mg/kg body weight; repeat after 14 days. Veterinary supervision is required.
- Dust formulations: Diatomaceous earth or pyrethrin dust spread on perches and nesting boxes; replace every 3–5 days.
Fourth, incorporate biological controls. Introduce entomopathogenic fungi (e.g., Metarhizium anisopliae) to the yard, which infect and kill ticks without harming birds. Maintain a population of predatory beetles or nematodes that naturally reduce tick numbers.
Fifth, implement regular monitoring. Record the number of ticks found per bird and per area weekly. Adjust control measures if counts rise, and consult a veterinarian for resistance concerns.
Finally, ensure biosecurity when acquiring new birds. Quarantine for at least 14 days, treat any detected ticks before integration, and limit contact with wild birds or mammals that may carry parasites.
By combining vigilant inspection, habitat management, targeted chemical or biological treatments, and ongoing monitoring, tick infestations can be effectively suppressed, preserving the welfare and productivity of the flock.