cattle ticks

andre · **Joined:** Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:21 pm **Posts:** 612

mussies wrote:

Yes the same thing and yes they can infest chickens and cause problems long term so keep an eye out for them

No not the same.

The cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) is endemic to coastal and northern QLD, the NT and parts of northern WA. It is generally only found on cattle, although deer, horses, goats and sheep may carry a few. Possibly chickens, but I'm doubtful about that.

There are other ticks in Australia. The most worrying is the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus). It occurs natually on a suite of marsupials, but if attached to a human or dog can be serious.

DARKBREEDS · **Joined:** Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:32 am **Posts:** 1

I have had brown ticks or bush ticks on my turkeys a couple of years back and I think the cattle tick is different to brown ticks

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Just to clarify:

Cattle Tick (Boophilus microplus)- NE NSW, WLD,WA,NT; rare on dogs & other domestics
Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)-mainly inland areas of NSW, QLD, WA, VIC.
Paralysis Tick ( Ixodes holocyclus)- east coast of Australia down to Lakes Entrance, Vic.

Paralysis ticks cause paralysis in domestic animals including chickens and poultry & even parrots.
The others cause localised irritation and MAY carry blood-borne parasites which can make animals sick.

Hope this helps.

Parvo.

mussies · **Joined:** Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:06 pm **Posts:** 4

Well I have learnt something today cheers for that

MIXEDMUSCOVIES · **Joined:** Sun Apr 24, 2011 12:07 pm **Posts:** 2

I have cattle tick here but I also have not had them on the birds so not sure they like birds

Cordwell · **Joined:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 2:15 pm **Posts:** 1

Are the brown ticks the blood suckers that can cause paralysis

roosty · **Joined:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:58 am **Posts:** 17

I've never understood the concern about paralysis ticks on poultry. I suppose it must happen, but in 11 years on paralysis tick properties I've never had a chick, chook or other bird develop a problem.

Last property we had cattle, they had ticks, but I never saw a tick on the chickens, and never saw any paralysis like ailments. They did however get stickfast fleas.

This property is the same but without the cattle. I know paralysis ticks are here (they're the pale ones) because any dog that visits our property even for half a day goes down. We have possums in every rafter and plenty of wildlife (bats, you name it) but again the chickens are fine.

I'm inclined to say it's a non-issue (but excuse me if you've had a definite case).

regards
Roosty

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

I have had 2 confirmed cases of tick paralysis affecting poultry, Roosty, but as you say it's pretty uncommon.

brandybantam · **Joined:** Wed May 11, 2011 3:20 pm **Posts:** 1

I would have thought the chooks would just eat them? like the guinea fowls do

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cattle ticks

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