Parasites of Domestic Poultry

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 282, 18 February 1928, Page 26

Parasites of Domestic Poultry

Varieties and Treatment

hen flea is perhaps the most common pest of fowls. It is very prolific in roosts which are not properly limew'ashed and kept scrupulously clean. The flea (Pulex avium) does not spend its. whole life on the host bird; it is a night prowler, and while hiding and sleeping in some dark cranny of the fowlhouse during the daylight, it is ready for attack at nightfall, and pounces on the birds as soon as they take to the perch. It measures from one-eight to one-sixth of an inch in length, ajid has & strong piercing mouth, which is driven into the flesh of the host. By means of a suctorial tube it draw's a drop of blood from the bird, and crawls to another spot to repeat the operation.

Fleas are most ravenous in their attacks, and do not halt until literally gorged with blood. Then they settle down among the barbules like gluttons, and are easily caught. Their vicious onslaughts are most damaging to the fowls, and especially to young growing chickens. They have a special affinity for young birds, and when these are seen with drooping wings and lurching, lifeless gait, without any obvious cause, it is time to examine them carefully about the neck, underwings, and rump. The secret will be discovered without much searching. They may also be found in the nests by immersing a hand* among the feathers and straw for a minute.. The back of the hand will soon be attacked.

The female flea is larger than the male, is blackish-brow r n, and shelly underneath, -with a comb at the back of the neck containning about 30 teeth. This comb easily distinguishes the hen flea from all other British pulices, of which there are 15 species. The nits, or eggs, are deposited in small holes in walls, at the extremities of perches, on nests, on floors, or in any crevice where dirt is able to lodge. They hatch out in ten days, and the larvae at once begin to prowl about for food. The egg shell is ruptured by a projecting horn on the larval head, much like the knob on a chicks beak. Pearly white at birth, the larvae gradually assume a creamy yellow* tint, and pass to the pupal stage, where they remain quiescent for two weeks in a silver-grey cocoon hidden in dirt. Here they are difficult to find. The change to a mature flea occupies 14 to 20 days, according to conditions of temperature. In early summer the metamorphoses transpire more rapidly, and roosts are overrun with fleas during the night time.

To prevent fleas is a comparatively simple problem. As they multiply in dirty, ill-ventilated, and unhealthy roosts, it will be obvious that antidotes must lie in the direction of cleanliness and fresh air. Where infestation is discovered, frequent sweeps of lime wash are most salutary. If a moderate quantity of Tama be added to the wash, the larvae will be killed, and the mature fleas be destroyed. A little size may be added with advantage Powdered lime sprinkled into the nooks .and crannies will soon tell a good story. Wood shavings, soft and supple, are prefererd to straw for warding off flea visitations.

Domestic birds have also their own peculiar lice (Mallophaga). w’hich are answerable for the destruction of hundreds of birds every breeding season. These are quite distinct from fleas in form and habit, and have no relation to the types w'hich attack man and animals, except • that they are real insects, with only partial metamorphosis. As born from the adult, they remain in form, but develop in size with successive moults until attaining maturity. The largest are seldom more than one-eighth of an inch in length.

Mallophagan parasites have biting—not piercing—mouth organs. They live on the barbs and skins of the

AS fanciers and breeders of domestic birds are well aware, the roost and the loft are frequently infested with parasitic invaders which undermine the health and comfort of the birds. Fowls, ducks, geese, swans, turkeys and pigeons are all affected, and are subject to attacks from their own peculiar pests. These select certain types of bird for their hosts, or certain parts of a single bird; for example, certain parasites feed about the wing-feathers, others cling to the rump, others to the neck and crop.

feathers, and hack the skin and flesh j>f£ the host about the insertions of new feathers. Their operations are extremely irritating, and very damaging to the health and activity of the bird-host. With short antennae of three or four joints, they spread themselves among the feathers, biting and feeding as they go along. It is remarkable how each species of parasite keeps to its own host. The pest which attacks the duck cannot live and thrive on the fowl, or the pigeon, and vice versa. Eight species of lice are known to feed on British birds. Among fowls, Cochin Chinas and White Brahmas are most prone to attacks, both as adults and as chicks. Plymouth Rocks and Bantams appear to be most immune.

Among the Mallophagans the species known as Philopterus decophorus is most virulent, and infests the hen, duck, goose and swan. It bears six two-jointed limbs with single claws on its thorax, which is short and merely links a formidable head-piece to a larger body. This latter is covered with shelly plates perforated by tiny spiracles or breath "g apertures. Eyes are compound, and can detect approaching danger in ample time to escape. The mouth is fully equipped with front mandible and side-plates for biting, chewing and grinding. A segmented body of 10 to 12 sections en-

ables the parasite to wriggle with comfort in any direction, and it is difficult to catch.

Menopon pallidum is another destructive member of this family, and abounds on fowls. When plucking a dead bird Menopons will sometimes jump out in goodly numbers and settle on the hand. The integument of this parasite is hard, and so smooth that it is almost impossible to hold it between a thumb and finger. It is brownish-yellow in colour. with a darker lining along each side. The spiracles perforate these lateral linings. A triangular head and glaring eyes look little less formidable than those of the Philopterus, and the parasite itself is quite as vulnerable.

The genus known as Lipeurus variabilis has a long, narrow body, the front of the moutn being curved for biting, the eyes small, but piercing, and the thorax longer than in Menopon and Philopterus. Tlhis parasite is yellow.

with dark side-linings containing a double row of spiracles. Under the thorax is a brown central spot which is, generally, quite distinct. Lipeurus is found most abundantly in pigeons and fowls, living mainly among the barbs and downy portions of the wing feathers.

As Mallophagans are hatched direct from the egg, and do not change from egg to larvae, pupa, and imago, they begin their bellicose career at birth. The eggs are fastened to the barbules of the feathers with a mucilaginous production cf the parasite itself. A flat lid keeps the embryo in position and refuge, until it reaches maturity. The lid is then slit around the edges, and the parasite escapes. Mites share the invasion of the poultry run and the pigeon house. The hen mite is particularly numerous m summer and early autumn. It has a sharp, piercing suctorial mouth, a flattened body edged with bristles, and eight jointed limbs with suckers at the extremities. Mites are remarkably prolific, and swarm on their host unless adequately checked. Where mites abound the perches and nesting-boxes are covered with their exuviae or cast skins, due to frequent moulting. The female mites are most ravenous, and. In the winter season, hibernate. They live without food for several months. In spring they reappear in full force.