Flea infestation is common, especially in free-range chicken or chicken reared on a sandy floor. Adult fleas move from the soil and stick on the body of the chicken.
Signs of fleas infestation in chicken
- irritation
- scratching
- restlessness
- Fleas stuck around the eyes, ears , comb and wattles
- blood loss which eventually leads to anemia.
Control of fleas is done by cleaning out the old litter and dusting the surfaces with pyrethroids.
Some farmers apply cooking oil on the flea-infested areas such as the head to eliminate the fleas.
