Chickens and fleas?

[MissChick@dee]

Love the pictures. Flea’s not so much. Good luck in getting rid of those pests. Can’t be good for you or your pets. Best wishes

 

[Tacampbell1973]

I'm wondering if chickens get fleas? Everytime I walk into the coup it seems like I come out with a ton of fleas around my ankles. The previous property owner had a couple dogs and I dont think they ever give them flea treatments because I also get fleas on my legs around the yard. Just wondering if chickens get fleas and if so what can be done to get rid of them.

In my time with poultry never once have I found fleas on them even when my poor dog got infested with them. Mites, lice yes, fleas no. Doesn't make sense beings they are blood having animals. My guess is because they may pick them off before they get too comfortable. Not very scientific but makes sense to me

 

[Rick M]

I dont think my chickens have anything on them, but our out building had a hay loft in it before we bought the place. I just know everytime I walk in there, my legs get covered with fleas. It's a fairly new building with cement floor and is huge. I just dont know why the fleas would like it so well unless they just wait for me to come in daily to jump on my ankles for a quick visit. I keep it very clean, or at least the chicken poo and dropped feathers from my newest pullets (red sex links) who seem to loose a lot of feathers compared to my barred rock hens.

 

[Tacampbell1973]

UCk fleas! Booooh! Why God created fleas we'll probably never know. Even though He in his infinite wisdom created All Creatures Great and Small, yadda yadda, I can't with my tiny human brain comprehend their Great Purpose in life. Too make misery, infest many, and occasionally kill something by anemia or infection. Oh yeah, not fond of fleas ,ticks AND Lice. I have dealt with all three (thankfully not concurrently!

 

[BirdLvr56]

I think chickens only get stick tight fleas, I could be totally wrong though. But the fleas are probably in your coop litter, everytime flea pupae feel vibration they hatch out and can stay dormant for years. You'll have to clean the coop and treat the yard. I don't envy you at all. I hate fleas. EDIT: Can you get pictures? Apparently there are chicken fleas but they look different than dog fleas, still same protocol. Clean the coop, treat the yard. Probably want to check the birds too, but I don't know if lice/mite products kill fleas. In theory they should.

We dust our coop every month with First Saturday Lime. It's a great natural product for flea and mites as well as keeping odor down. I still need to treat the yard where the dogs and chickens spend their days. I need to know what I can treat my yard with that is safe for the chickens.