Ectoparasites of chickens

Question 1

What is the burrowing mite of chickens?

Answer 1

*Knemidocoptes spp

Question 2

What are the non-burrowing mites of chickens?

Answer 2

*Dermanyssus gallinae
*Ornithonyssus sylvarum

Question 3

What are the lice of chickens?

Answer 3

All chewing louse
*Menacanthus spp
*Lipeurus spp
*Menopon spp

Question 4

What does Knemidocoptes spp cause?

Answer 4

*Burrowing mite similar in appearance + life cycle to sarcoptes scabei
*Causes:
-scaly leg
-deplumbing itch
-extensive crusting + lesions

Question 5

What is Dermanyssus gallinae?

Answer 5

*The poultry red mite
-1mm in size, long legs + D-shaped plate

Question 6

What is the significance of D. gallinae?

Answer 6

*Pruritus, papules + crusting
*Birds become debilitated + stop feeding
*Anaemia - blood feeding
*Very hard eradication

Question 7

What is Ornithonyssus sylvarum?

Answer 7

*Northern fowl mite - blood sucking mite
*Cause anaemia + death
*Anal plate = pear shaped

Question 8

What are the clinical signs of pediculosis? lice

Answer 8

*Bird unable to rest
*Irritated
*Body weight decreases
*Drop in egg production
- Autumn + winter months