Lice and Mites

Poultry Lice
-are tiny, wingless, six-
legged, flat-bodied, insects
with broad, round heads.
They lay their eggs on the
host bird’s feathers,
especially near the base of
the feather shaft
Poultry lice are fast- moving, 6 legged, flat
insects with round heads that live only on
the chicken and its feathers. They are
beige or straw colored and are typically
found at the base of feather shafts near the
vent. Poultry lice feed on dead skin and
other debris such as feather quill casings.
When parting the feathers near the vent to
inspect for parasites, they can be seen
briefly as they run away. The eggs laid by
the female are seen at the bases of
feather.
 How do poultry get lice?

The most common ways chickens acquire lice

are from wild birds and other chickens. Once a
chicken is infested, lice spread by crawling from
one bird to another. Contact with infested
feathers, especially during a molt, also helps
spread lice.
 Poultry Mites
-There are two major types of
mites found on the body of
poultry. They are the Northern
Fowl Mite (or in tropical
environ�ments, the Tropical
Fowl Mite) and the Chicken
Mite (or Red Roost Mite).
Typical signs of a mite infestation are
scabs near the vent, eggs on the
feathers and feather shafts and a light
colored bird's feathers may appear dirty
in spots where the mites have left
droppings and debris. A heavy mite
infestation can lead to anemia and
death of a chicken. Mites will bite
humans, causing minor irritation in the
affected area (and an urgent desire to
take a gasoline shower).
Table 1. Comparison chart to distinguish between
lice and mites.
Lice Mites
Size 2-3 millimeters long 1 millimeter (ground
pepper)
Speed Fast moving Slow moving
Colour Straw coloured (light Dark reddish black
brown)
Egg location Base of feather shaft Along feather shaft
Egg color White White or off white
Best detection time Daytime Daytime or Night time
 Treatment
Sanitation and cleanliness are the keys to lice
and mite control. Sanitation includes cleaning
and disinfecting housing facilities and
equipment between flocks. Moreover, reducing
people traffic through housing facilities is
recommended. Eliminating the contact between
flocks and wild birds can reduce the potential
transfer of external parasites.
 Flock Symptoms
Flocks infested with lice or mites show similar
general symptoms. Birds will have decreased egg
production; decreased weight gain; decreased
carcass-grading quality; increased disease
susceptibility; and decreased food intake. If any of
these generalized symptoms are observed, a visual
evaluation is recommended. Inspect birds around
the ventral region for signs of lice or mites since
infestations usually start in this area of the bird.
 PREVENTION
Mites and lice are most commonly brought into chicken
yards by wildlife, especially by wild birds. The use of best
biosecurity practices, regular inspections, and vigilant
observation will limit the damage they inflict.

• Clean coops regularly, disposing of loose feathers that

can carry hatching eggs (nits).
• Limit visits from fellow poultry- keepers who can transport
the creepy crawlies on their clothes, footwear or
equipment, (vehicles, shared farm equipment, etc.).
 PREVENTION
•Do not attract wildlife to the chicken yard with the use of
wild bird feeders.
• Secure chicken feed to prevent parasite and disease-
carrying wildlife from visiting regularly.
• Secure chicken parasite and feed to prevent disease-
carrying wildlife from visiting regularly.
•Always quarantine new birds properly before introducing
them to an existing flock.
• Provide adequate dusting areas for chickens to care for
own skin and feathers.
THANK YOU!
AL JUNE C. MARBELLA
JOHN INO L. OSTONAL
MARK DOMINIC T. VENTURA
II BTVTED-AP
 RERERENCE
Pickworth , C. L.. (2007, October). Common external parasites in poultry: Lice and
mites. Retrieved from: https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/common-external-
parasites-in-poultry-lice-and-mites