Poultry farmers put time, money and effort into raising healthy chickens, but tiny parasites can put an entire flock at risk. Sticktight fleas may seem small, yet an infestation can leave birds restless, weaken them through blood loss and cause weight loss.
In severe cases, chickens can die, leaving farmers with costly losses. Knowing the warning signs and keeping poultry housing clean can help farmers catch infestations early and protect their flocks.
During his first experience as a poultry farmer about a year ago, Mphatso Sithole, founder of Mphatso Poultry Pty Ltd in Dobha Village, Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga, noticed that his chickens were scratching themselves excessively, becoming less active and laying fewer eggs.
The infestation also affected him, as his skin would start itching after spending a few minutes inside the chicken coop.
“I also observed that they were no longer laying as many eggs as they used to,” he said.
Sithole said he continues to use products available to him in an effort to keep the coop clean and prevent the parasites from returning.
However, he warned that products intended for other uses can harm chickens if applied incorrectly. Farmers should only use treatments approved for poultry and follow the label instructions, seeking veterinary advice where necessary.
Impact of mites on poultry operations
During an in-service training at Jeff Chicken Shack in Bela Bela, Limpopo, in 2024, Xolelwa Mthetho witnessed the effects of poultry mite infestations, including broken eggs, falling production and increased chicken deaths.
The farmer and founder of Kwande Poultry Farm in KwaNdungwana, Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, said the experience showed her how mites can affect both the health of chickens and the quality of their eggs.
The parasites feed on chickens’ blood, causing stress, reduced feed intake, pale combs and restlessness. In laying hens, she adds that infestations can lead to fewer eggs, poor shell quality and more breakages.
Mthetho warns that bringing new birds onto a farm without quarantining them can put existing flocks at risk, even when farmers follow vaccination schedules and other biosecurity measures.
“Because you could be doing everything possible as a farmer to keep your farm safe and following every vaccination schedule, but buying another batch without actually quarantining could be your downfall.”
Mthetho advised farmers to clean and disinfect poultry houses and nesting boxes regularly, remove old litter, keep housing dry and well ventilated, and check new birds for parasites before introducing them to the flock.
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Causes and managing infestations
Sticktight fleas can cause irritation, blood loss and, in severe cases, death in chickens. Olwethu Laho, an animal scientist, farmer and owner of Tshitshi SC Farmers Store in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, explained how the parasites spread, the signs farmers should look for and how to manage infestations.
Laho said fleas tend to gather on featherless areas, including the comb, wattles, face and around the eyes. However, he noted, the problem is not only on the chicken. “Female fleas lay eggs that drop into litter or soil, so the problem is rarely only on the bird.”
He added that heavy infestations can cause anaemia, poor body condition and lower egg production, with chicks and smaller birds at greater risk.
Although infestations may increase during warmer, wetter periods, he said parasites can persist throughout the year in some areas.
“Sticktight fleas are not strictly seasonal in all environments, but in many regions their abundance rises during warmer, wetter months.”
Laho advised that farmers inspect their birds regularly, especially those kept in backyard and free range systems where chickens have contact with soil and organic material.
He highlighted the importance of addressing the environment where the fleas develop to control an infestation. Removing old bedding, cleaning poultry housing and managing contaminated litter and soil can help break the parasites’ life cycle and reduce the risk of reinfestation.
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