Chickens Pass on Fleas

FAIRFAX, Va. (August 7, 2014) – More homeowners are choosing to raise their own chickens to provide fresh eggs for their families. However, these birds could also be passing poultry fleas to the family pets.

Backyard flocks of chickens will often share space with dogs or outdoor cats. This close contact is opportunity for fleas to hitch a ride into the home.

Poultry fleas can cause skin irritation and infection because they burrow into skin. However unlike other types of fleas, they do not lay their eggs on a host.