Cage design for the confinement of deer and goats infested with ectoparasites.

The design for a cage for the confinement of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and goats (Capra sp.) for use in ectoparasite studies is presented. The cage was successfully used for the infestation of these hosts with Boophilus annulatus and may be useful for host/parasite studies using similar hosts and other ectoparasites. The cage will accommodate mature hosts with adequate space for normal grooming activity. A detailed description of materials and methods for the assembly of the cage is provided in the text.