THE REALITIES ABOUT POULTRY The Modern Farm - The Realities About Poultry_Seco | Page 105

layer that could be several millimeters thick. The disease is self-limiting, and the comb heals after
several months. Typically, if the disease is limited to the comb, the health of the bird is not affected,
but if feathered portions are involved, the bird may become emaciated and die. Favus is a public
health concern.
Chicken Parasites
External Parasites (Ectoparasites)
Hens can also suffer from external parasites. The three most common ones are lice (fleas), scaly leg
mites and ticks. These are very common in scavenging poultry.
(1) Lice: Lice live on the hen and lay eggs on the base of the feathers, usually around the vent.
Although their presence won’t kill a hen, they do cause intense irritation and the hen will be
unhappy and spend much time preening. Dust bathing helps to reduce infestation but hens
should be checked regularly and treated with louse powder if there is evidence of infestation.
The irritation they cause can lead to reduced production.
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