These pest infestations are infrequent and typically limited to breeding flocks or layers. Broilers and market turkeys are seldom if ever affected. Management of ectoparasites largely consists of whole flock treatments whenever infestations are detected by scouting birds and/or inspection of the structure and equipment (nest boxes, curtains, slats, cages). Other effective management techniques are not available. It is estimated that slightly more than 4 percent of breeder birds and layers are treated for ectoparasites each year. Pesticides are applied directly to the birds for control of northern fowl mites and poultry lice. The average number of treatments applied directly.
