by the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis

As the name implies, sticktight fleas attach themselves to poultry, especially the waddles and combs, as well as areas around the eyes, as seen here. Note: They also like dogs and cats.

COURTESY ERIK STREB/WIKIPEDIA/CC BY-SA 3.0

Warning: This article will make you itchy; you’ll read about insects crawling on your chickens. But there’s no need to scratch yourself. In fact, there is a word for the sensation of bugs crawling on or underneath your skin: formication. So relax — or try your best to relax — get yourself something to drink and (after making sure no bugs are crawling on your glass) enjoy this column about ectoparasites in your poultry.

Ectoparasites are little pests that can have a big impact on your flock’s production and welfare. These small arthropods (invertebrate animals that include spiders and other insects) live on or in the skin and feathers of chickens. Some live their whole life cycles on the bird, while others use poultry for nightly meals then scurry back to their hiding places at dawn. It’s important to know the different types of ectoparasites and their habits so you can keep your chickens happy and healthy.