Poultry keepers invest significant resources in raising healthy livestock, yet even tiny parasites can jeopardize the entire flock. Ticks that attach firmly can cause distress in birds, weaken them due to blood loss, and lead to weight loss. In severe cases, this can result in the death of hens, causing serious financial losses for farmers.
To detect infection promptly and protect the flock, it is important to know the signs of danger and maintain cleanliness in the poultry housing.
About a year ago, during his first experience as a poultry keeper, Mphatso Sithole, founder of Mphatso Poultry Pty Ltd in Dobha village, Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga province, noticed that his chickens were excessively scratching, becoming less active, and laying fewer eggs.
The infection also affected him personally, as his skin began to itch after only a few minutes in the coop. He noted: 'I also noticed that they started laying fewer eggs than before.'
Sithole stated that he continues to use available means to maintain cleanliness in the coop and prevent the recurrence of parasites. However, he warned that substances intended for other purposes could harm the chickens if used incorrectly. Farmers should only use products approved for poultry and strictly follow the instructions on the label, consulting a veterinarian when necessary.
During training at Jeff Chicken Shack in Bela-Bela, Limpopo province, in 2024, Xolelwa Mthetho witnessed the consequences of bird tick infestations, including broken eggs, reduced production, and increased mortality among hens.
The farmer and founder of Kwande Poultry Farm in KwaNdungwana, Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, shared her experience, which showed her how ticks can affect both the health of the hens and the quality of their eggs. These parasites feed on the hens' blood, causing stress, decreased feed intake, pale combs, and restlessness. For layers, she added that infection can lead to a reduction in egg count, poorer shell quality, and an increase in breakage.
Mthetho cautions that introducing new birds to the farm without quarantine can endanger existing flocks, even if farmers adhere to vaccination schedules and other biosecurity measures. She emphasized: 'Even if you do everything possible as a farmer to keep your farm safe and follow all vaccination schedules, buying another batch without actual quarantine can be your downfall.'
Mthetho advised farmers to regularly clean and disinfect coops and nesting boxes, remove old bedding, maintain dryness and good ventilation in the housing, and check new birds for parasites before introducing them to the flock.
Ticks that attach firmly can cause irritation, blood loss, and, in severe cases, death in hens. Olwetu Laho, a zoologist, farmer, and owner of Tshitshi SC Farmers Store in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, explained how parasites spread, what signs farmers should look for, and how to manage the infestation.
Laho noted that ticks usually gather in featherless areas such as the comb, wattles, face, and around the eyes. However, he stressed that the problem is not limited to the bird: 'Female ticks lay eggs that fall into the litter or soil, so the problem is rarely just on the bird.'
He added that heavy infestation can cause anemia, poor body condition, and reduced egg production, with chicks and smaller birds being at greater risk. Although infestations can worsen during warm and humid periods, he stated that in some areas, parasites can persist year-round. Laho concluded: 'Firmly attached ticks are not strictly seasonal in all environments, but in many regions, their numbers increase in warmer and more humid months.'
Laho recommended that farmers regularly inspect their birds, especially those kept in free-range and outdoor systems where hens come into contact with soil and organic matter. He emphasized the importance of addressing environmental issues where ticks develop to control the infestation. Removing old bedding, cleaning coops, and managing contaminated litter and soil can help break the parasite's life cycle and reduce the risk of re-infection.
