What kind of parasite is this?

[dawg53]

Almost looks like some type of stinkbug lol. If it has 8 legs, probably a fowl tick. Here's a pic:

 

[seminolewind]

Looks like a tick, don't it?

 

[R.M.Qureshi]

Soft Ticks. Soft ticks feed primarily on the blood of birds. They are typically nightly feeders and return to protected locations to hide during the day. One of the more damaging species is the fowl tick (Argas periscus), which is one of the more important worldwide poultry pests. Nymphs and adults of this tick are very active at night. It is not unusual to see large numbers of these ticks crawling up the roosts, filling with blood and before daybreak leaving for their daytime hiding places. The larval stage, once attached to the host, remains to engorge with blood for several days. Under favorable conditions the entire life cycle may be complete in as little as 30 days. In the absence of an available host this can be extended to several months.

A soft tick (Argas persicus) lacks the scutum and capitulum not visible from a dorsal angle. Image courtesy of Matt Pound, ARS, Bugwood.
Heavy infestations of these ticks may result in a rundown condition, loss of weight and reduced egg production. Secondary infections may occur which can result in the death of the animals. Fowl ticks will attack humans, especially in the absence of their preferred hosts.

 

[tatertot]

What do u use to exterminate them...that's nasty

 

[dawg53]

What do u use to exterminate them...that's nasty

Here's a link to external parasites in poultry with pics, scroll down to the fowl tick. Apparently they are difficult to get rid of and will require multiple pesticide treatments in coops over time.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140

 

[enola]

Thank God I have never seen anything like that....

What is the actual size of these things and where do they come from?

 

[nab58]

OP, where are you from? Is it winter?

Those things are very disturbing....enough to make me think twice about keeping chickens ifi were to evere see one. I'm itching as I type!

 

[Nambroth]

The OP's location is listed as Pakistan... I had to double check when I saw this thread, too, because I sure don't want to add this critter to the ones I have to worry about!

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/ectoparasites/fowl_ticks.html
https://insects.tamu.edu/youth/4h/c...ist3/Non_Insect_orders/acarina/fowl_tick.html


Everything I've read suggests it needs tropical to near-tropical conditions, so those of us up north don't have to worry...
One old article says it can survive in western Texas, and the southern regions of: Florida, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

 

[lularat]

Yuck, I hope to never see those critters.

 

[tatertot]

Me too...its pretty freaky looking