Raising Quail Articles

Parasitic diseases (external)

Fowl Tick (Blue Bug)

The Fowl Tick (Argas persicus) may be a serious parasite of poultry if it
becomes numerous in poultry houses or on poultry ranges. The tick is a
blood-sucker, and when present in large numbers it results in weakened
birds, reduced egg production, emaciation and even death. The fowl
tick is found throughout most of the South and is extremely hardy. Ticks
have been kept alive without food for more than three years. The ticks
will feed on all fowl.

Fowl ticks spend most of their lives in cracks and hiding places,
emerging at night to take a blood meal. Mating takes place in the hiding
areas. A few days after feeding, the female lays a batch of eggs. In
warm weather the eggs hatch within fourteen days. In cold weather they
may take up to three months to hatch. Larvae that hatch from the eggs
crawl around until they find a host fowl. They remain attached to the
birds for three to ten days. After leaving the birds they find hiding places
and molt before seeking another blood meal. This is followed by
additional moltings and blood meals.

Ticks are difficult to eradicate and methods employed must be
performed carefully. It is not necessary to treat the birds, but houses
and surrounding areas must be treated thoroughly.


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