Fleas of Poultry

The sticktight flea (Echidnophaga gallinacea) is an occasional poultry pest in temperate areas and a major poultry pest in the subtropical and tropical New World. These fleas can be common in backyard poultry flocks and in areas where birds spend a lot of time outdoors or interface with wildlife.

Adult sticktight fleas are approximately half the size of cat fleas, dark brown, and laterally flattened (see adult sticktight flea image).

Adult sticktight flea, photomicrograph

Image

Courtesy of Dr. Amy Murillo.

Adult sticktight fleas embed in the skin of their host for days or weeks. On chickens, they prefer to attach to featherless areas, such as the wattles, comb, or face (see chicken image).

Sticktight fleas on chicken

Image

Courtesy of Dr. Amy Murillo.

Without detaching from the host, female sticktight fleas lay their eggs, which fall into the litter or soil. Larvae hatch and live on host blood excreted by adult fleas and on organic material in the litter or soil. Larvae develop best in sandy, well-drained soil. Larvae pupate and later emerge as adults, which then search for a host. This whole cycle takes approximately 1–2 months.

Hosts of adult sticktight fleas include chickens, turkeys, pigeons, pheasants, quail, humans, and many other mammals. Fleas cause irritation, restlessness, and blood loss that results in anemia and death, particularly in young birds.

The western chicken flea, or black hen flea (Ceratophyllus niger), seems to be confined to the Pacific coast area of the US and Canada. It breeds in animal droppings and feeds on birds only occasionally.

The European chicken flea (Ceratophyllus gallinae) is found worldwide. It breeds in nests and litter and is on birds only to feed. In addition to infesting chickens, it attacks many other birds, as well as humans and domestic pets. Heavy flea infestations cause host emaciation and decreased egg production.

The most important flea control measures are to remove infested litter and to dust the litter surface with permethrin or pyrethroids to kill immature fleas. Insect growth regulators such as methoprene are also effective. Adult sticktight fleas can be controlled by topical application of insecticides (typically permethrin) that are approved for on-animal use.