Answer:
B. The major external parasites of poultry are lice and mites.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lice and mites are common external parasites that infest poultry. These parasites feed on the blood of the birds and can cause significant health issues if left untreated.
Lice are small, wingless insects that live on the feathers and skin of poultry. They lay their eggs, called nits, on the feathers. Lice can cause irritation, itching, feather damage, and even anemia in severe infestations.
Mites are tiny arachnids that also infest poultry. They can live in various parts of the bird's environment, such as in cracks and crevices of the coop or in nesting materials. Mites feed on the bird's blood, causing discomfort, weight loss, reduced egg production, and sometimes death in severe cases.
It's important to regularly inspect and treat poultry for lice and mites to prevent infestations and keep the birds healthy. This can be done through proper coop maintenance, cleaning, and using appropriate insecticides or treatments specifically designed for poultry.
While fleas and ticks, mosquitoes and flies, ants and beetles can also be external parasites that affect animals, lice and mites are the major external parasites that specifically target poultry.