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Mites And Ticks Infestation with ectoparasites is wide spread among pigeons. The parasites which belong to the species of insects and arachnids, damage the pigeons organisms in various ways. While low grade infestation often does not give rise to any symptoms, severe infestation mat cause considerable damage and may even lead to the death of young pigeons. Ticks are arachnids which infest pigeons from time to time and suck blood. These parasites also attack other birds, mammals and man. At times ticks which are mainly active at night, cause such heavy loss of blood that anemia results. The nestlings and young pigeons may succumb. Our pigeons are mainly affected by two types, the pigeon tick and the bird tick. Mites also belong to the arachnids. Depending on the species, they live on or in the skin and feed on blood, tissue particles or feather material. Apart from pigeons, the same types of mites also occur in domestic poultry and in other birds. Most types of mites live permanently on the host animal. The red mite is an exception to this rule. It leaves the pigeon during the day, hiding under perches or in cracks in the loft, and attacks then only at night. The mites most dangerous to our pigeons are the red mite, the body mange mite and the scaly leg mite. In cases of severe infestation, these species cause pronounced symptoms. Plumage lice are insects, 11 types of which occur on pigeons. Virtually every pigeon harbors plumage lice which do little damage, however, if the infestation is slight. The parasites live permanently on the pigeon and feed on the feather powder, feather material, skin scales and sometimes blood. Severe infestation leads to holes being eaten into the feathers, increased wear and tear and inadequate plumage formation for nestlings. The medication of choice is: Insectrin GP Poultry dust. Sprinkle on perches, in nest boxes or directly on the pigeons, Not harmful. Be sure to disinfect the entire loft also.
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