Intensive / External
Parasites
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Mites irritate the birds and can make
the flock unsettled and nervy.
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The incidence of peritonitis may
increase and there may be increased vent pecking.
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Feed intake may be
depressed.
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Heavy mite infestation can depress egg
production by up to 5%.
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Heavy infestation will make birds
anaemic due to loss of blood. Birds will be evident in the flock with
pale combs and, if severely affected, mortality may
increase.
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There may be loss of shell or yolk
colour and, with heavy infestations, there will be evidence of mites and
mite faeces on eggs and egg belts which may lead to downgrading of
speckled eggs.
-
Where there is a big problem with mite,
there may be problems for egg collectors with skin
irritation.
Control strategies involve three
broad areas:
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Treat the houses effectively at site
depletion, with an approved and effective product properly applied,
to reach into all crevices on equipment. Use a
fan nozzle to produce a flat spray.
-
Monitor the house and birds during the
life of the flock to allow prompt treatment of the birds and/or
accommodation even if only light infestations are
identified.
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Breaking the cycle of reinfection when
the house is empty is the most effective approach. A variety of products
are now used but not all are licensed for use in animal accommodation or
for direct application to birds.
Specialist advice should be obtained for
the most effective control.
External
Parasites
Red
Mite
Red mite is a cause of increasing
problems in caged layers. It is particularly severe in the summer months
when the weather is warm and mites are able to multiply quickly.
Even light infestations can irritate the
birds leading to poor performance and feed intake. In more severe cases
infestations can lead to some or all of the
following: