Saturday, September 27, 2008
Poultry Disease and Raising Quail. (Part 2)
PARASITES (EXTERNAL)
Parasitic diseases (external)
Poultry Lice
The primary effects of lice on their hosts are the irritations they cause.
The birds become restless and do not feed or sleep well. They may
injure themselves or damage their feathers by pecking or scratching
areas irritated by lice. Body weight and egg production may drop.
All lice infecting poultry and birds are the chewing type. Mites may be
confused with lice, but mites suck blood. In general, each species of lice
is confined to a particular kind of poultry, although some may pass from
one kind to another when birds are closely associated. Chickens usually
are infested with one or more of seven different species; turkeys have
three common species.
All species of poultry lice have certain common habits. All live
continuously on feathered hosts and soon die if removed. The eggs are
attached to the feathers. Young lice resemble adults except in color and
size. Lice differ in preferred locations on the host, and these
preferences have given rise to the common names applied to various
species.
In general, the incubation period of lice eggs is four to seven days, and
development of the lice between hatching and the adult stage requires
about twenty-one days. Mating takes place on the fowl, and egg laying
begins two to three days after lice mature. The number of eggs
probably ranges from fifty to three-hundred per female louse.
As the name suggests, the Head Louse (Cuclotogaster heterographa) is
found mainly on the head, although it occurs occasionally on the neck
and elsewhere. It usually is located near the skin in the down or at the
base of the feathers on the top and back of the head and beneath the
beak. In fact, the head of the louse often is found so close to the skin
that poultrymen may think it is attached to the skin or is sucking blood.
Although it does not suck blood, the head louse is very irritating and
ranks first among lice as a pest of young chickens and turkeys. Heavily
infested chicks soon become droopy and weak and may die before they
are a month old. When the chickens become fairly well feathered, head
lice decrease but may increase again when the fowls reach maturity.
This louse is oblong, grayish and about 1/10-inch long. The pearly-white
eggs are attached singly to the down or at the base of the small
feathers on the head. They hatch within five days into minute, pale,
translucent lice resembling adults in shape.
The Body Louse (Menacanthus stramineus) of chickens prefers to stay
on the skin rather than on the feathers. It chooses parts of the body that
are not densely feathered, such as the area below the vent. In heavy
infestations, it may be found on the breast, under the wings and on
other parts of the body, including the head.
When the feathers are parted, straw-colored body lice may be seen
running rapidly on the skin in search of cover. Eggs are deposited in
clusters near the base of small feathers, particularly below the vent, or
in young fowls, frequently on the head or throat. Eggs hatch in about a
week and lice reach maturity within twenty days.
This is the most common louse infesting grown chickens. When present in large numbers, the skin is irritated greatly and scabs may result, especially below the vent.
The Shaft Louse or small body louse (Menopon gallinae) is similar in
appearance to the body louse, but smaller. It has a habit of resting on
the body feather shafts of chickens where it may be seen running
rapidly toward the body when feathers are parted suddenly. Sometimes
as many as a dozen lice may be seen scurrying down a feather shaft.
Since the shaft louse apparently feeds on parts of the feathers, it is
found in limited numbers on turkeys, guinea fowl and ducks kept in
close association with chickens. It does not infest young birds until they
become well feathered.
The same control measures used to eliminate mite populations is
effective for treating lice. It is more important to apply the insecticides
directly to the bird's body rather than the premises.
All the information above can be found at www.msucares.com. It is to be used for educational purposes only.
We at www.howtoraisequail.com take no responsibility for the use or outcome of this information
URL: http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disinfectants.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
How to Raise Quail.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Parasitic diseases (external)
Poultry Lice
The primary effects of lice on their hosts are the irritations they cause.
The birds become restless and do not feed or sleep well. They may
injure themselves or damage their feathers by pecking or scratching
areas irritated by lice. Body weight and egg production may drop.
All lice infecting poultry and birds are the chewing type. Mites may be
confused with lice, but mites suck blood. In general, each species of lice
is confined to a particular kind of poultry, although some may pass from
one kind to another when birds are closely associated. Chickens usually
are infested with one or more of seven different species; turkeys have
three common species.
All species of poultry lice have certain common habits. All live
continuously on feathered hosts and soon die if removed. The eggs are
attached to the feathers. Young lice resemble adults except in color and
size. Lice differ in preferred locations on the host, and these
preferences have given rise to the common names applied to various
species.
In general, the incubation period of lice eggs is four to seven days, and
development of the lice between hatching and the adult stage requires
about twenty-one days. Mating takes place on the fowl, and egg laying
begins two to three days after lice mature. The number of eggs
probably ranges from fifty to three-hundred per female louse.
As the name suggests, the Head Louse (Cuclotogaster heterographa) is
found mainly on the head, although it occurs occasionally on the neck
and elsewhere. It usually is located near the skin in the down or at the
base of the feathers on the top and back of the head and beneath the
beak. In fact, the head of the louse often is found so close to the skin
that poultrymen may think it is attached to the skin or is sucking blood.
Although it does not suck blood, the head louse is very irritating and
ranks first among lice as a pest of young chickens and turkeys. Heavily
infested chicks soon become droopy and weak and may die before they
are a month old. When the chickens become fairly well feathered, head
lice decrease but may increase again when the fowls reach maturity.
This louse is oblong, grayish and about 1/10-inch long. The pearly-white
eggs are attached singly to the down or at the base of the small
feathers on the head. They hatch within five days into minute, pale,
translucent lice resembling adults in shape.
The Body Louse (Menacanthus stramineus) of chickens prefers to stay
on the skin rather than on the feathers. It chooses parts of the body that
are not densely feathered, such as the area below the vent. In heavy
infestations, it may be found on the breast, under the wings and on
other parts of the body, including the head.
When the feathers are parted, straw-colored body lice may be seen
running rapidly on the skin in search of cover. Eggs are deposited in
clusters near the base of small feathers, particularly below the vent, or
in young fowls, frequently on the head or throat. Eggs hatch in about a
week and lice reach maturity within twenty days.
This is the most common louse infesting grown chickens. When present in large numbers, the skin is irritated greatly and scabs may result, especially below the vent.
The Shaft Louse or small body louse (Menopon gallinae) is similar in
appearance to the body louse, but smaller. It has a habit of resting on
the body feather shafts of chickens where it may be seen running
rapidly toward the body when feathers are parted suddenly. Sometimes
as many as a dozen lice may be seen scurrying down a feather shaft.
Since the shaft louse apparently feeds on parts of the feathers, it is
found in limited numbers on turkeys, guinea fowl and ducks kept in
close association with chickens. It does not infest young birds until they
become well feathered.
The same control measures used to eliminate mite populations is
effective for treating lice. It is more important to apply the insecticides
directly to the bird's body rather than the premises.
All the information above can be found at www.msucares.com. It is to be used for educational purposes only.
We at www.howtoraisequail.com take no responsibility for the use or outcome of this information
URL: http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disinfectants.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
How to Raise Quail.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Poultry Disease and Raising Quail. (Part 1)
PARASITES (EXTERNAL)
Poultry Mites
All classes of poultry are susceptible to mites, some of which are bloodsuckers,
while others burrow into the skin or live on or in the feathers.
Others occur in the air passages and in the lungs, liver and other
internal organs. Poultry mites cause retarded growth, reduced egg
production, lowered vitality, damaged plumage and even death. Much
of the injury, consisting of constant irritation and loss of blood, is not
apparent without careful examination.
Of primary concern to the poultryman is the Northern Fowl Mite
(Ornithonyssus sylviarum) which is a frequent and serious pest of
chickens. Heavy infestations result in low condition of the birds and
lower egg production, as well as a scabby skin condition. The mite
remains on the bird and does more damage than any other species of
mite. The mite does not leave the host bird, as do may species of mites,
and can be observed on birds in large numbers during daylight hours. It
prefers the feathers below the vent and around the tail, but can be
found on all parts of the body. The mite is extremely small and a microscope or
magnifying glass may be needed to see it.
The female northern fowl mite lays eggs on feathers where the young
mites complete their development without leaving the host. Since they
remain on the fowl most of the time, treatment of the birds is necessary
to destroy the mites.
The Common Chicken Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is the most
common mite found on all types of poultry. It is a blood-sucker, and
when present in large numbers, loss of blood and irritation may be
sufficient to cause anemia. Egg production is seriously reduced.
This mite feeds at night, and usually remains hidden in cracks and crevices during the day. It attacks birds at night while they are on the roost. In heavy infestations, some mites may remain on the birds during the day.
About a day after feeding, the female lays eggs in cracks and
crevices of the house. The eggs hatch and the mites develop into adults
within about a week. During cold weather, the cycle is slower. A poultry
house remains infested four to five months after birds are removed.
Since the mite feeds on wild birds, these birds may be responsible for
spreading infestations. However, it is more likely that spread of the mite
is promoted by using contaminated coops. Human carriers are also
important. Since these mites do not stay on the birds during the day,
apply treatments to houses and equipment as well as the birds.
The Scaly-Leg Mite (Knemidocoptes mutans) lives under the scales on
feet and legs of poultry. It also may attach to the comb and wattles. It
causes a thickening of scales on the feet and legs that gives the
impression that the scales are protruding directly outward, rather that
laying flat on the limb. It spends its entire life cycle on the birds and
spreads mainly by direct contact.
The Depluming Mite (Knemidocoptes laevis, variety gallinae) causes
severe irritation by burrowing into the skin near the bases of feathers
and frequently causes feathers to be pulled out or broken. The mite is
barely visible to the naked eye and can be found in follicles at the base
of the feathers. The mites crawl around the birds at times, spreading
from bird to bird.
The most effective treatment for all mite species is a regular inspection
and spraying program of both the birds and their premises. An
appropriate solution of permethrin, when sprayed on the birds, will
eliminate all mites that infest the bird. The spraying of all facilities will
ensure that any mites hiding in cracks and crevices will be destroyed.
The treatment should be repeated on a one to two month schedule or
whenever populations of the mites are detected.
All the information above can be found at www.msucares.com. It is to be used for educational purposes only.
We at www.howtoraisequail.com take no responsibility for the use or outcome of this information
Last Modified: Tuesday 12-Sep-06 09:57:57
URL: http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disinfectants.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
How to Raise Quail.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Poultry Mites
All classes of poultry are susceptible to mites, some of which are bloodsuckers,
while others burrow into the skin or live on or in the feathers.
Others occur in the air passages and in the lungs, liver and other
internal organs. Poultry mites cause retarded growth, reduced egg
production, lowered vitality, damaged plumage and even death. Much
of the injury, consisting of constant irritation and loss of blood, is not
apparent without careful examination.
Of primary concern to the poultryman is the Northern Fowl Mite
(Ornithonyssus sylviarum) which is a frequent and serious pest of
chickens. Heavy infestations result in low condition of the birds and
lower egg production, as well as a scabby skin condition. The mite
remains on the bird and does more damage than any other species of
mite. The mite does not leave the host bird, as do may species of mites,
and can be observed on birds in large numbers during daylight hours. It
prefers the feathers below the vent and around the tail, but can be
found on all parts of the body. The mite is extremely small and a microscope or
magnifying glass may be needed to see it.
The female northern fowl mite lays eggs on feathers where the young
mites complete their development without leaving the host. Since they
remain on the fowl most of the time, treatment of the birds is necessary
to destroy the mites.
The Common Chicken Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is the most
common mite found on all types of poultry. It is a blood-sucker, and
when present in large numbers, loss of blood and irritation may be
sufficient to cause anemia. Egg production is seriously reduced.
This mite feeds at night, and usually remains hidden in cracks and crevices during the day. It attacks birds at night while they are on the roost. In heavy infestations, some mites may remain on the birds during the day.
About a day after feeding, the female lays eggs in cracks and
crevices of the house. The eggs hatch and the mites develop into adults
within about a week. During cold weather, the cycle is slower. A poultry
house remains infested four to five months after birds are removed.
Since the mite feeds on wild birds, these birds may be responsible for
spreading infestations. However, it is more likely that spread of the mite
is promoted by using contaminated coops. Human carriers are also
important. Since these mites do not stay on the birds during the day,
apply treatments to houses and equipment as well as the birds.
The Scaly-Leg Mite (Knemidocoptes mutans) lives under the scales on
feet and legs of poultry. It also may attach to the comb and wattles. It
causes a thickening of scales on the feet and legs that gives the
impression that the scales are protruding directly outward, rather that
laying flat on the limb. It spends its entire life cycle on the birds and
spreads mainly by direct contact.
The Depluming Mite (Knemidocoptes laevis, variety gallinae) causes
severe irritation by burrowing into the skin near the bases of feathers
and frequently causes feathers to be pulled out or broken. The mite is
barely visible to the naked eye and can be found in follicles at the base
of the feathers. The mites crawl around the birds at times, spreading
from bird to bird.
The most effective treatment for all mite species is a regular inspection
and spraying program of both the birds and their premises. An
appropriate solution of permethrin, when sprayed on the birds, will
eliminate all mites that infest the bird. The spraying of all facilities will
ensure that any mites hiding in cracks and crevices will be destroyed.
The treatment should be repeated on a one to two month schedule or
whenever populations of the mites are detected.
All the information above can be found at www.msucares.com. It is to be used for educational purposes only.
We at www.howtoraisequail.com take no responsibility for the use or outcome of this information
Last Modified: Tuesday 12-Sep-06 09:57:57
URL: http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disinfectants.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
How to Raise Quail.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
