Suggested:
Coccidia, worms, and lice weaken poultry - you should know this.
Parasites in poultry such as coccidia, worms, and lice can weaken them – this is something you should be aware of.
Parasites in poultry can be tricky – clear signs are often not immediately apparent. Non-specific signs such as restlessness, feather picking, a pale comb and skin, as well as weight loss, diarrhea, or a ruffled appearance of the feathers, can indicate a parasitic infestation in the animals. Chickens can be infested by various parasites, the presence of which manifests differently.
Coccidia: Danger for chicks and young animals in the chicken coop
Coccidia are single-celled parasites that are species-specific, meaning they are only transmitted within a specific poultry species. Infection occurs through feces containing long-lasting, infectious oocysts. Upon ingestion, they infect the small intestine, multiply rapidly, and damage the intestinal mucosa. Infected animals excrete new oocysts, which survive in the environment and infect other chickens – even through humans or objects. Many animals carry coccidia without showing symptoms. However, young animals are particularly vulnerable: they often react with severe diarrhea, which can lead to losses. Especially chicks up to 6 weeks of age are at risk of coccidia infestation. Their immune defense is not yet fully developed. Older animals usually develop immunity. Typical signs of a coccidia infection are usually diarrhea, which can sometimes be bloody, pale combs and skin, growth disturbances, and increased mortality.
Worms in poultry: Stress and illness increase the risk
Through contaminated feces, chickens can also become infected with gastrointestinal worms. Transmission can also occur through intermediate hosts such as snails or earthworms. A mild infestation with gastrointestinal worms usually goes unnoticed. However, if the animals are under stress or ill, the worms have an easy time multiplying quickly. This can significantly weaken the poultry – sometimes with fatal consequences. Typical stress factors include molting, transport, or integrating new group members. When visible worms are present in the chickens' feces, this indicates a severe infestation. To detect a worm infestation early, owners should observe changes in behavior and the condition of the animals. Typical symptoms of a worm infestation also include the appearance of foamy feces, weight loss, paleness in the comb and skin, a dirty vent, and a decrease in laying performance. A severe worm infestation can also lead to sudden death in the animals.
Lice in chickens: How to recognize infestation early
Lice are external parasites, living on the chicken – unlike internal parasites such as coccidia and worms. They feed on feathers and skin scales and are transmitted through body contact or loose feathers, especially during molting. Lice are partially visible to the naked eye. They appear as dark, wingless, agile parasites under wings, on thighs, or on the tail of chickens. Their eggs, called nits, adhere to the feather shafts. Almost invisible nymphs hatch from them after 4 weeks and become sexually mature – and each female can lay up to 100,000 eggs. Lice are agile and light-shy – larvae are best found with a magnifying glass. In severe infestations, adult animals are also visible. Typical symptoms of a lice infestation include ruffled or damaged feathers, bald spots, intense itching and increased grooming of the animals. In addition, the chickens experience restlessness, fatigue, skin redness, and a decrease in egg production.
Prevention with hygiene: How to protect your animals sustainably
The most effective way to protect chickens from parasites is through hygiene. A common route of transmission is contaminated feces, which is ingested through pecking in the bedding or in a dirty run. Therefore, the coop and run should always be kept clean. Additionally, the droppings board and waterers should be cleaned daily. The coop should also be swept weekly, and the run raked. To prevent the ingestion of feces, chickens should not be fed from the ground, and too many animals should not be kept in a confined space. Chickens kept in a free-range outdoor run will always have a slight infestation of coccidia and worms. However, it is important to keep the pathogen pressure as low as possible.
