When breeding poultry, farmers face many problems, one of which is fleas. These small creatures can seriously harm the body of poultry, which undoubtedly affects the agricultural value of poultry, as well as the quality of poultry products. Today, the active development of blood-sicking insects in a chicken coop is becoming quite a serious challenge for farmers, as many people often don’t know the main ways of dealing with fleas at home. That is why in this article we will examine in detail what is the main reason for the parasite’s defeat of poultry, as well as get acquainted with the most effective ways to combat it.
Where do fleas come from in chickens
Chicken fleas are traditional representatives of the order of the Fleas belonging to the numerous class Insects. These creatures actively parasitize on the body of the bird, feeding on its blood. Outside of the host body, the development of the parasite is impossible, since fleas are quite whimsical to living conditions.
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For their safe breeding requires a high temperature, as well as a sufficient amount of freely available food. Therefore, the insect population is doomed to constant parasitism at the expense of higher animals.
In most cases, chicken fleas are virtually indistinguishable from their relatives, however, upon a detailed examination of their structure, there are bright differences from other subspecies. First of all, it is reduced in size, more elongated and oblate body shape, well-developed eyes, as well as a more durable shell. This allows the parasite to effectively defend itself from the sharp claws and beak of the bird, as well as to move freely through the dense plumage.
There are many reasons for the appearance of fleas in the hen house, but often the invasion is due to:
- improper bird care;
- violations of general hygienic rules when breeding poultry;
- the use of flea eggs infected with hay, feed, water, etc .;
- contacting poultry with wild relatives (sparrows, pigeons, etc.) infected with fleas;
- parasite migration in a natural way.
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However, the parasite migration is not always the main condition for its reproduction on the bird. In order for fleas to actively spread throughout the chicken coop, optimal conditions for the breeding of the insect must be created in the room. Therefore, in a clean and well-groomed chicken coops, the development of the parasite is practically not observed, even with large-scale and targeted parasite migration.
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However, the rapid reproduction of fleas in the hen house can not be avoided if in the room where chickens are kept:
- periodic disinfection for preventive purposes is not carried out;
- high humidity and temperature are maintained for a long time;
- airing and cleaning is not carried out;
- bird nests are in an unclean condition;
- timely replacement of the litter does not occur.
Symptoms of the disease
Identify the first symptoms of defeat fleas of the bird is quite difficult. Since often the invasion has no clear signs. However, the first distinct symptom of parasite development is a sharp decrease in egg production and bird weight. But there are more specific symptoms that speak of the defeat of the bird.
Did you know? The flea is one of the most prolific creatures on our planet. For 20 days, this creature is able to give birth to about 1000 of its kind.
First of all, these include:
- the nervous state of the bird (the chicken constantly picks feathers and body with its beak or claws);
- excessive appetite;
- the appearance of body parts with clear bald areas;
- when viewed from feathers in areas close to the head, there are small blackish-brown moles, which are the parasite.
Most often notice the parasite is possible with careful inspection of the bird. Fleas accumulate massively in areas of the body with the largest number of blood vessels adjacent to the body surface. Therefore, most often the parasite can be found on the ridge, along the bird's eyes and beak.
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Harm caused
Fleas are a fairly dangerous poultry parasite. Permanent insect bites inject the bird into severe discomfort, as their saliva contains many allergens and irritants. This is indicated by constant itching and scratching of the bites, which often causes skin ulcers, as well as partial baldness. In this state, the body of chickens is gradually depleted, which in advanced cases becomes the cause of all sorts of associated diseases.
However, the most dangerous are the following effects of flea bites:
- a sharp decrease or complete loss by the bird of egg production;
- significant weight loss;
- loss of commercial form of poultry products;
- infection of birds from fleas with a variety of infectious diseases (brucellosis, salmonellosis, encephalitis, etc.);
- anemia (in advanced cases);
- development of all kinds of chronic illnesses against the background of exhaustion;
- the death of a chicken (with late treatment).
In the end result, all of the above leads to large-scale losses for farmers. As a result, the expediency of the development of even large enterprises is under threat. Not infrequently, the parasite can also become the cause of the complete destruction of poultry in large areas, especially if the insect becomes a carrier of dangerous infectious diseases transmitted to humans.
Did you know? As is known, fleas are distinguished by excellent jumping ability, but few know that this insect is capable of jumping to a height that exceeds their own height 150 times.
Chemicals
Most often they fight against all sorts of diseases, as well as parasites of valuable breeds of farm animals with the help of highly active drugs. No exception is the chickens. For the treatment of birds from the parasite most commonly used by veterinarians are tools such as Butox 50 and Deltamethrin.
Butox
The drug Butox is a contact insecticide for external use. This drug is able to quickly and effectively cope with all sorts of parasitic insects, including: fleas, lice, ticks and other parasites. The main active ingredient of the drug is deltamethrin, referring to the pyrethroids. This group of substances is actively used in agriculture as the main component of many complex insecticides.
The drug is characterized by a high antiparasitic effect, which is based on the active influence of the components of the product on the nervous system of insects. This leads to excessive excitability of nerve tissue and the subsequent death of the parasites. The withdrawal of the insecticide occurs for 15 days through the intestine, since its components have a high diffusion effect. This allows a comprehensive approach to the destruction of parasites in chickens.
Use the drug in several ways, from it is prepared:
- therapeutic baths for swimming;
- solutions for spraying chickens;
- pest control products for the treatment of the coop.
Important! Before bathing chickens should be sure to drink and feed. This measure will help prevent the bird from ingesting pickled water, which can cause severe disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Healing baths prepared on the basis of clean, but cool tap water at the rate of 90 ml of Butox per 100 liters of liquid. The components are thoroughly mixed for 10-15 minutes, after which the solution is ready for processing poultry. Bathing is carried out in large tanks, and the liquid level should not exceed 2/3 of the growth of the treated individuals.
The procedure lasts for 2-5 minutes. During this time, the sick chicken must be thoroughly wetted, after which the treated chicken is placed in a separate room for natural drying.
Bathing chickens from parasites: video
Spraying affected birds carried out with the help of a spray. For these purposes, you can use any technical device available on the farm. Prepare a solution of 50-100 ml of Butox and 100 liters of cold and clean water.
Spraying is carried out carefully, with this treatment, you must expose each feather, regardless of body area. However, it is not recommended to spray areas in the mucous membranes, as the mixture can cause allergic manifestations. After the procedure, the birds are taken to a separate room for drying in a natural way.
To prepare solution for the preventive treatment of the coop, 20-30 ml of Butox diluted in 10 liters of water. The resulting solution is processed walls, floor, ceiling, feeder in the hen house and so on.
After processing, the bird should not be run into the room, therefore chickens are kept in a separate place until the chicken coop is completely dry. At this time, they are recommended to be carefully examined and, if necessary, treated against parasites.
Important! After treatment with insecticidal solutions, the remnants of the preparation on the body of the bird do not need to be washed off, as they are capable of inactivation by natural means.Video: fight with flea, perojed, tick in chickens
Deltamethrin Powder
Deltamethrin powder is one of the most common types of synthetic pyrethroids with a pronounced insecticidal effect. The main active ingredient is the compound of the same name Deltamethrin. Available in the form of a white powdery substance, without a characteristic and pronounced odor.
After contact with the parasite, the substance causes a powerful and irreversible suppression of the nervous activity of fleas, which leads to their paralysis and early death. The product is applied to the skin and feathers of a bird with the help of a dust sprayer at the rate of 10–15 g of powder per individual.
The drug has practically no contraindications, however, it is not recommended to use it for weakened individuals.. For preventive purposes, powder is used as a disinsection filler for sand-ash baths at the rate of 200 g of powder per 1 cubic meter. sand mixture.
Did you know? Pyrethroids are synthetic analogues of highly active natural insecticides, which are contained in the flowers of perennial plants belonging to the Aster family.
Chicken Coop Processing
High-quality processing of the chicken coop is an additional condition for the complete and most effective destruction of parasites. It makes it possible to destroy not only insects, but also eggs, which can maintain their viability after the destruction of the pest over a long period. As a working fluid, various solutions from the group of pyrethroids are often used (Deltamethrin, Butox, etc.).
Learn how to build a chicken coop, equip, heat.The main stages of the procedure:
- Pre-cleaning the chicken coop. To do this, the entire contents of the room is thoroughly cleaned from all sorts of pollutants, excreta, as well as old bedding and nest contents. At the time of processing, you must also vacate the room and from chickens. To do this, they are moved to temporary chicken coops or kept on the street, behind a specially equipped barrage.
- Primary disinfection of non-combustible materials. For this, metal and concrete structures are fired with a blowtorch. Such a measure not only destroys the fleas, but also makes it possible to get rid of all kinds of infections.
- Treatment of the room with disinsection solutions. Pre-prepared liquid with a spray carefully applied to all walls, floor, ceiling, as well as all sorts of objects.
- Ventilation. For several days after treatment, the chicken coop is left alone, ensuring good ventilation. During this time, the liquid evaporates completely, all insects die, and the concentration of substances in the room becomes absolutely safe for the safe stay of the birds.
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Folk methods
Despite the high effectiveness of chemical means of protection, today the most popular are folk, more sparing for the body of the bird and the environment ways to combat parasites. They are based on the use of various natural compounds with high antiparasitic effect. Among them, the most popular are extracts of herbs such as tansy and wormwood, as well as kiln ash.
Important! Before applying any treatment for the elimination of fleas, it is necessary to consult with an experienced veterinarian, this will help to avoid the negative impact of pest control on the hens' body.
Herbs
Such fairly common herbs of the temperate climatic zone, like tansy and wormwood, are known to almost everyone. They are found everywhere, both in remote rural areas and near major cities. These plants have a persistent and pungent aroma that irritates parasitic insects.
The easiest way to get rid of chicken fleas is to hang out or decompose the fresh mixtures of these herbs in pure or dried form around the perimeter of the whole chicken coop. Persistent and intense flavor will become a real problem for insects, which will lead to a rapid migration of the parasite to the outside, in just a few days.
Decoction
Greater efficiency against fleas is a water extract from a mixture of wormwood and tansy. The solution is used for the immediate treatment of the affected bird, as well as the chicken coop.
To prepare it, for 1 l of water you need to take 40 g of dried leaves of wormwood and 100 g of inflorescences of tansy. Herbs are thoroughly mixed, and then poured boiling water. The resulting mixture is incubated for 3-4 hours in a warm place until it cools completely, and then filtered.
The broth is treated with a sick bird, then the hen house and all its contents are sprayed. Within several days the parasite completely leaves the bird and its dwelling. For preventive purposes, such a procedure is recommended every week, throughout the entire period of mass development of fleas. This helps to completely protect against fleas, as well as infectious diseases that carry it.
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Ash
Oven ash or ash-sand mixtures are the simplest and cheapest means to eliminate fleas. They are not able to eliminate the actively developing parasite, but fully provide proper hygiene to the bird, which is the main condition for the prevention of invasions.
In the chicken coop or in nearby areas, special zones are created with small tanks filled with ash or ash-sand mixture (1: 1). While swimming in the ashes or sand, the bird is almost completely cleared of parasites. This is due to small particles that capture insects during the procedure and shake them off the surface of the body and feathers.
Find out why chickens are falling, badly rushing, carrying small eggs, pecking each other to blood, pecking eggs.Poultry fleas are a rather serious problem that hundreds of farmers face every year. These parasites can instantly spread among the livestock, and also bring a lot of problems, among which are serious infectious diseases. That is why today developed many ways to combat this parasite, among which are highly effective as complex drugs, and simple folk methods.
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