Parasites

Obvious infestation with parasites renders a bird unfit for show. It is important that breeders and judges are able to recognise parasites on the bird.

Stickfast Fleas

Echidnophaga gallinacea, commonly known as the hen flea, stickfast flea and sticktight flea. Seems more common in place where there is sandy soil. When feeding, female fleas can remain attached for up to 6 weeks at a single site on the host, causing ulceration at the attachment site.[1] Males feed intermittently while displaying mating behavior. Eggs are laid in the ulcers that have formed on the host's skin. The larvae drop to the ground and feed on any organic debris found. Large numbers of the flea may congregate around the eyes, comb, wattles, and other naked skin on poultry - these are difficult to dislodge as their heads are embedded deep below the host's skin

Images

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  Stickfast Fleas 1

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  Stickfast 3

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  Stickfast 4

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  Stickfast Fleas 2

LICE

Lice are a common parasite of poultry. They are small, almond-shaped insects that can be found moving on the body of the bird close to the skin around the vent and under the wings especially. Lice lay eggs which group in clusters and these are often seen at the base of the feather adhering to the quill. Live, crawling lice on a bird should eliminate it from competition and discovery should be reported to the steward. Many will elect to remove an infested bird from the shed as it is contagious. If there are lice eggs on the bird but no live lice it is possible the bird has been treated for the parasite. The remaining lice eggs detract from the merit of the bird.

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  Lice 1

SCALY LEG MITES

Scaley Leg Mites are a parasite that live within the skin of the bird. Over time a crustiness builds up under the scales of the legs and you see the characteristic lumpy and crusty appearance of the skin on the shanks and feet. Scaly Leg Mites can spread although they do not seem to do so quickly. Evidence of infestation heavily detracts from the merit of the bird.

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  Scaly Leg Mites 1

SOURCES

• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidnophaga_gallinacea Accessed on 7 October 2019.

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