An environmentally safe method for knemidocoptosis treatment of peasant farm chickens in the Krasnodar city of Russia

Abstract

The article studies ectoparasitic contamination in three bird species (Kuropatchatayabrama, silver Orpington, and blue Orpington) of different ages from one to two years old and the effectiveness of the external application of birch tar 40 degrees C with dimexide 20% for the treatment of knemidocoptosis of legs in chickens on peasant farms in Krasnodar city. Our research revealed the first time in Russian that all three species were contaminated by an association of ectoparasites (Knemidocoptesmutans + Knemidocoptesgallinae), localized in the chickens' legs. We publish the species composition of the mite association, infestation of the birds by knemidocoptes. Of 130 birds on the farm, 60 were contaminated. Clinical signs observed in the affected birds include hyperkeratosis with whitish film on the shank and hock region of their legs. Focal areas of sloughing of the skin with oozing of blood were also observed on the back and on the legs. After the first treatment course, the number of the infected birds diminished to 26, and the number of ectoparasites decreased significantly. After the second course, no infected birds were found. It was established that two applications of birch tar with dimexide cure an association of legs knemidocoptes mites in domestic chickens