EXTERNAL PARASITES 

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.