Join the Banner Rotation Today!
Diatomaceous Earth- Identify the Bug Pics
Technical Article on Worms -By K. J. Theodore, written for Poultry Press
Identification and Treatment of Common Mites and Lice of Birds - Univ of CA
Biology and Treatment of Poultry Pests- Biohaven
Controlling Poultry Insects-Poultry Lice, Mites, Bedbugs, Flies
Poultry Eye Worms - Glenda Heywood of NPN
Pesticides Used for Control of Poultry Insect Pests-Mississippi State
Lice, Mite, Flea, Bedbug and Litter Beetle - Ctl on Pltry
Treatment by Pest and Location of Infestation-Ohio State Univ
Insecticide Recommendations for Insect Pests of Poultry - Nebraska Coop Ext
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) consists of the sedimentary deposits formed from the skeletal remains of a class of algae (Bacdlariophyceae) that occur in both salt and fresh water and in soil. These remains form diatomite, an almost pure silica, that is ground into an abrasive dust. When the tiny, razor-sharp particles touch an insect, they cause many tiny abrasions, resulting in loss of body water and death by dehydration.
DE is 98 percent repellent to insects, yet free of dangerous residues. It is digestible by earthworms and harmless to mammals and birds. The dust contains 14 beneficial trace minerals in chelated (readily available) form. Manure and urine carry these minerals into the soil. Use DE to keep stored feed free of insects. Feed it to poultry and other livestock to control internal parasites. Laying hens will dust themselves in a box (mixed with clean earth or sand) of DE to control fleas and lice. It is a digestive activator that helps to control fecal odors, resulting in less offensive smelling manure. DE can be use in your house to help with flea control. The DE silica pierces the eggs of the fleas. We spread DE liberally around in the poultry pen and nest boxes and where our dogs sleep and in our carpets. Diatomaceous Earth is an Natural, effective, and safe insect control. Free your pets from ticks, fleas, lice, and mites drive them from your lawn, garden, orchard, and household. It will also control flies, de-wormed your animals Diatomaceous Earth gets rid of insects without the danger of chemicals! It works by dehydration. When an insect ventures into D.E. it absorbs their fluids. When an insect looses ten percent of their body fluids they die! D.E. is so safe that it is used by the USDA as an additive to grain for insect control. The D.E. does not have to be removed when the grain is ground into flour for human consumption because of its food grade rating. Perfect for keeping insects out of food stocks.
The most important differences between individual forms of DE is the shape of the diatom, content of Crystalline Silica, and the purity of the Silica Dioxide. The World Health Organization cautions that DE with a crystalline silica content of 3% or higher is dangerous to humans, (and probably pets and birds as well). There is also two type of DE which is for filter/pool do not use this kind the other is "Food grade quality" which has a crystalline silica content usually lower than 1% and you must be sure that is the kind you are getting.
Feed poultry a ratio: 2 lbs. per 100 lbs.
M.F. Petty D.V.M. Alabama
test on feeder pigs Eliminated internal parasites in the test group in 7 days. Odor was noticeably less offensive after 21 days. Fly population decreased markedly after 6 weeks.O.C. Collins D.V.M. Midland Animal Clinic and Hospital, Midland, Tex as
Tests on dogs over 35 lbs. 1 tbs. and 1 tsp. under 35 lbs. within 7 days all ova disappeared from stools. This includes Ascarids, Hookworms, and Whipworms
This worm is very harmful to poultry in the Southern States of the USA .Hawaii , Philippines and other subtropical areas. It is a small white worm that lodges in the corner of a chicken's eye. The eye becomes swollen, inflamed, and watery. Impairing the chickens vision. The eyelids may stick together and the eye may turn cloudy and eventually be destroyed. The chicken may try to scratch the eye to get rid of the irritation.
Eye worms have a indirect cycle. When the worm deposits the eggs in the eye, they pass into the tear duct, they are then swallowed by the chicken and expelled in droppings, and are eaten by the Surinam cockroaches. When the chicken eats the infective cockroach, worm larvae migrates up the esophagi to the mouth thru the tear duct, and into the eye. Wild birds are also infected, and they help spread the Eye Worm to chicken flocks. To control eye worm you must control the cockroaches around the chicken houses.
NOTE THESE BIRDS IF INFECTED AND HANDLED BY YOU CAN LEAVE THE INFECTION ON YOUR CLOTHING OR SHOES AND YOU WILL CARRY IT HOME, OR YOU WILL BRING IT HOME WITH INFECTED BIRDS.
Be sure and never wear the same shoes or clothing to the bird barn that you wear visiting a bird owners barns.
The eggs of the disease are in the fluid of the eye of the infected bird. The bird carries a high fever and the fancier needs to doctor it immediately. Use a medicine called VETRX and put it directly into the eye, around the eye, down the throat, and in the water. Do this three times the first week and twice the second week and should clear it up. Continue to put the VetRx on the eye for 4 weeks.
Roundworms and tapeworms Let’s look at two common types of worms - . Roundworms are yellowish-white in color and may be 2 to 3 inches in length. They live in the intestinal tract. The eggs of the roundworm are passed onto the ground or into litter through the birds droppings. Chickens who are confined to a house or small yard will scratch and peck in the droppings of all birds. Chickens then get roundworms by eating worm eggs. To control infestations of roundworms it is important that you keep your birds in a sanitary environment. Watch your birds for signs of roundworm infestation – pale heads, droopiness, weight loss, diarrhea, and even death. Diagnosis of roundworms can be made by examining the intestines for the presence of worms or by taking samples of droppings to a veterinarian for examination under a microscope. If the presence of worms is confirmed, control is accomplished by the use of piperazine wormer in the feed or water, which can be purchased at most local feed stores. Treatment must be repeated three weeks later for the best results.
Tapeworms: are composed of segments, and are flattened so that they appear as ribbons. The head of the worm is fastened tightly to the lining of the intestines. Tapeworms vary in length from 3/8 of an inch to 17 inches. Segments of the worm break off and are passed in droppings. These segments produce eggs which are eaten by insects. Since chickens eat the insects - earthworms, grasshoppers, flies, etc – they will ingest the eggs. Since chickens permitted to free-range eat more insects than confined chickens do, they are more likely to become infected by tapeworms. Signs of tapeworm infestation include weakness and slow growth or weight loss. Death can occur but is unlikely. To control tapeworm infestation, you must first develop a plan for insect control. I would also recommend visiting your vet if you are sure this is the problem. This is important because medication will not totally rid your flock of tapeworms.
Some Poultry Fanciers de-worm their birds on a regular cycle without knowing whether their birds have worms or not. Indiscriminate worming can cause drug-resistant strains of parasites to develop. It also does not allow your chickens to build up a natural immunity to parasites. Birds that have built up a natural immunity are usually not bothered by worms unless they are forced to inhabit crowded, unsanitary conditions or are weakened by some other disease. A different, possibly better approach is to periodically gather a few droppings for evaluation by your veterinarian. He/she can examine the droppings under a microscope and determine if you need to medicate your flock. He/she can advise you on the right medication at the right dosage to get rid of those nasty little things
Bug Pics to Identify
Poultry Body Louse--(Menacanthus stramineus (Nitzsch))
Poultry Airsac Mite--(Kytodites nudus (Vizioli))
Poultry Cyst Mite --(Laminosioptes cisticola (Vizioli))
No Pic Yet ---Poultry Feather Mite --(Rivoltasia bifurcata (Rivolta & Delprato)
Poultry Fluff Louse--(Goniocotes gallinae (De Geer))
No Pic Yet --Poultry Head Louse--(Cuclotogaster heterographus (Nitzsch))
Poultry Red Mite--(Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer))
Poultry Shaft Louse--(Menopon gallinae (Linnaeus))
Stickfast Flea --(Echidnophaga gallinacea (Westwood))
Poultry Wing Louse--(Lipeurus caponis (Linnaeus))
The Chicken Encyclopedia™