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Ectoparasites in pigeonsEctoparasites are widespread in pigeon flocks. They damage the pigeon’s organism in various ways.
Pathogens:
Feather lice, scaly-leg mites and body mange mites live permanently on infested pigeons, leaving them only to seek new hosts. Pigeon ticks, bird ticks and red bird mites attack pigeons only periodically at night to suck blood. Otherwise, they conceal themselves in cracks in the loft. They can transmit pathogens. See Summary 1 for the life cycle and lifespan of parasites.
Recognition of the disease:
Feather lice are visible in the pigeon’s feathering with the naked eye. To assist detection, hold the pigeon against the light with its wings outspread.
Infestation with body mange mites and scaly-leg mites can be confirmed by microscopic examination ofAscraping from inflamed skin.
Pigeon and bird ticks and red bird mites can be detected with the naked eye in cracks in the loft - ideally in the early hours of the morning, when the parasites leave the birds in search ofAhiding place. They are also found under feeding troughs and nest bowls.
Treatment:
Ectoparasites can be controlled with chevi-tren and ins 15. Treatment must be repeated to destroy the next generation of parasites (see Summary 2 and Summary 3).
Notes:
Clean feed and water vessels with hot water. Regular bathing in clean water - at least once a week - protects pigeons against parasite infestation.
| Plumage lice | Pigeon tick | Red mite | Body mange mite | Scaly-leg mite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Ectoparasites | Feather lice | Pigeon ticks |
Bird ticks |
Red bird mites | Body mange mites | Scaly-leg mites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life cycle | sexually mature parasites live permanently on the pigeon | by day in cracks in the loft (photophobic), invade pigeons at night to suck blood | permanently on the pigeons | |||
| Reproduction | eggs laid in the pigeon’s plumage |
in cracks of the loft | in burrows in the outer skin; give birth to living larvae | in burrows in the outer skin; lay eggs | ||
| Period of development from hatching to reproduction | 3 to 6 weeks | 3 month to 3 years | 7 to 8 weeks | 5 to 7 days | 3 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Feeding on | skin scales, feather material |
blood | tissue particles, body fluids |
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| Life span | approx. 3 month | > 3 years | > 2 years | 2 to 3 month, but remain viable for up to 6 month without nutrion | 2 to 3 month | |
| Recognition of infestation | feather damage | Anaemia in pigeons (nestlings, young pigeons) Parasites are usually detected by chance in cracks of the loft. |
scaly dermatitis | scabby deposits | ||
The period of development and lifespan of the parasites is temperature-dependent. The times specified will therefore vary accordingly.
| Product | Dosage | Measures to be taken | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ins 15 | 60 ml (3 dosing heads) in 2 litres of water |
Ensure successful treatment by spraying the loft and all equipment with the working solution of ins 15 until droplets form on the surfaces. |
| B | chevi-tren | Treatment by spraying: 60 ml (3 dosing heads) in 2 litres of water |
Spray the pigeons (even those that appear healthy) with the working solution of chevi-tren against the lay of the feathers, including the underside of the wings. |
| B | chevi-tren | Pigeon bath: 60 ml (3 dosing heads) per 2 litres of water |
Pigeon bath: Immerse the pigeons up to the neck for 1 minute (with wings outspread) in the working solution of chevi-tren; head and neck feathers should be treated withAbrush. |
| C | chevi-tren | 60 ml (3 dosing heads) in 2 litres of water |
Soften the scabs and deposits of the scaly-leg mites with the chevi-tren solution, detach and brush once weekly until they heal. |
| Parasites | Date | Repeat treatment after | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st treatment | 1 week | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | 6 weeks | 7 weeks | 8 weeks | |
| Feather lice | A + B | A + B | A + B | ||||||
| Pigeon ticks | A + B | A + B | A | A | A + B | ||||
| Bird ticks | A + B | A + B | A | A | A + B | ||||
| Red bird mites | A + B | A + B | A | A | A + B | ||||
| Body mange mites | A + B | A + B | A + B | A + B | A + B | ||||
| Scaly-leg mites | A + C | A + C | A + C | → treat weekly until infestation is eliminated. | |||||
