External Parasites of poultry will not
readily live on the skin and in the hair
of man; therefore, they are not con-
sidered to have a "zoonotic" potential.
Nevertheless, any bird noted to be
infected with mites or lice should
be treated immediately.
Heavy infestations of mites and lice
are often seen in the spring and
summertime seasons of the year.
To eliminate infestations of these
external parasites, all birds housed
in a particular room or building must
be treated at the same time and
must include a repeat or second treatment
of the birds, as well as all of the
housing areas and nesting areas too.
Lice are the most common of the
external parasites found on birds.
There are many different species and
most are the biting insects which
consume scales, feathers, and
bits of skin, and feces.
Scaley-Leg Mites infest the feather-
less areas of the face and legs,
burrowing into the skin and feather
follicles, feeding on connective tissue.
Quill Mites infest and destroy new
feathers. The mites burrow into the
feather shaft and as a result of their
activity, produce a powdery mass
of feather debris, eggs, larvae,
molted mite skins and feces visible
through the shaft wall.