Assessment of laying-bird welfare following acaricidal treatment of a commercial flock naturally infested with the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)

Spatial Distribution of Dermanyssus gallinae Infestations in Greece and Their Association with Ambient Temperature, Humidity, and Altitude

Dermanyssus gallinae, the poultry red mite (PRM), is the most prevalent and harmful ectoparasite of laying hens globally. Although prevalence and risk factor studies can help veterinarians make decisions regarding farm treatments, relevant data are scarce. The present study investigated the prevalence and infestation severity of PRM in poultry farms across Greece and examined potential risk factors. AviVet traps were used to sample 84 farms (51 backyard, 33 industrial) over three years. Farm altitude, temperature, humidity, region, and production systems were assessed as potential risk factors with chi-square tests, initially for all the studied farms and then exclusively for backyard farms. The overall prevalence was 75.0% and was higher in backyard farms (80.4%) compared with industrial ones (66.7%), varying regionally from 66.7 to 90.9%. Altitude and temperature were not significant risk factors, but farms with humidity <60% had a lower infestation risk. Infestation severity did not significantly differ by risk factors. The poultry red mite is highly prevalent across Greek poultry production systems and regions. In the future, global warming, reduced acaricide options, and a ban on cage systems will all threaten a wider spatio-temporal distribution of the PRM, justifying the urgent need for effective monitoring and control methods to protect hen production and welfare and workers' health.

Assessing the efficacy and zootechnical performance in laying hens after administration of a 1% aqueous solution of fluralaner (Exzolt) for treating natural infestation by Menacanthus cornutus

A brood of laying hens infested with the lice Menacanthus cornutus (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) evidenced itching, irritation, and damage to their zootechnical performance. A study was conducted to evaluate the zootechnical performance and infestation control using a 1% solution of fluralaner in a brood of white laying hens infested naturally with lice. The experiment was carried out using 10,560 naturally infested chickens divided into 2 groups: a treatment group of animals that received a 1% solution of fluralaner in drinking water, at a dose of 0.05 mL/kg of body weight, in 2 administrations, 7 d apart; and a control group of infested and untreated chickens. The groups of chickens were followed for 120 d to evaluate the score of infestation and zootechnical performance. It was observed that birds in the treatment group became free of lice infestation 7 d after the administration of the first dose of a 1% solution of fluralaner. For up to 120 d after the experiment was initiated, there was no evidence of subsequent lice infestation, while continued infestation with all life stages of lice (adults, young, or eggs) was evident in the untreated control group, remaining stable during all evaluations performed. The birds in the treatment group showed improved zootechnical performance when compared to a 9.94% egg production decrease in the control group. The feed conversion and egg mass data showed statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. This study allows us to conclude that treatment with a 1% solution of fluralaner effectively controlled Menacanthus cornutus lice infestation and promoted recovery of egg production in a brood of laying hens treated with the test formulation.

Effects of the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) load on the plumage condition in commercial laying hen farms

Plumage damage (PD) resulting from severe feather pecking (SFP) is a significant problem for animal welfare, performance, and economics in commercial laying hen farms. Genetics, nutrition, and housing conditions are central complexes that contribute to the multifactorial cause of SFP. Practical experience suggests that infestation by the poultry red mite (PRM), which is the most severe ectoparasite of laying hens in cage-free housing systems, may be a risk factor for the occurrence of PD, although evidence-based findings are lacking. The objective of this longitudinal observational field study was to investigate the effects of PRM infestation of commercial laying flocks on the occurrence of PD. Integument scoring (plumage damage and skin lesions) and the quantification of PRM infestation using mite traps were conducted during the laying period of 28 laying flocks, with an average flock size of 12,357 birds in barn (n = 21) or free-range (n = 7) systems. Across all flocks and survey times, the median PRM mass per trap was 0.7 mg (1.-3. quartile: 0.0–19.3 mg/trap), corresponding to a median count of 65.2 mites/trap (1.-3. quartile: 0.0–246.8 mites/trap). Binary logistic regression models revealed an association between PD and skin lesions with hen age, housing system, and hybrid type (p<0.001). The PRM load also affected the plumage condition, where PD increased with increasing PRM infestation (p<0.001). In addition, the PRM load tended to have an effect on skin injuries (p = 0.097). In conclusion, this longitudinal study identified the PRM load in laying hen flocks as a risk factor for PD.

Short-time cold atmospheric pressure plasma exposure can kill all life stages of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, under laboratory conditions

In the present study, the acaricidal effects of cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on poultry red mites of different developmental stages have been investigated under laboratory conditions using a dielectric barrier discharge system. A total of 1890 poultry red mites and 90 mite eggs, respectively, were exposed to the plasma under various parameter settings with a single plasma pulse generated using the gas mixture of the ambient air at atmospheric pressure. The results showed that all developmental stages of the poultry red mite could be killed by cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment. Plasma exposure to mite eggs resulted in a complete 100% hatch inhibition regardless of the parameter settings. Post-exposure mortality rates of larvae, nymphs and adults showed significant differences after utilization of plasma at 10 W for 1.0 s. In addition, the mortality rate increased with progressing time after plasma exposure. An average mortality rate of 99.7% was observed after 12 h in all mites exposed to plasma, regardless of the selected plasma parameter, developmental stage, and nutritional status of the mites. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma has an acaricidal effect on all developmental stages of Dermanyssus gallinae, suggesting that it could be developed to an effective method for the control of poultry red mites in laying hen husbandry.

The Relationships between Damaging Behaviours and Health in Laying Hens

Since the ban in January 2012 of conventional cages for egg production in the European Union (Council Directive 1999/74/EC), alternative systems such as floor, aviary, free-range, and organic systems have become increasingly common, reaching 50% of housing for hens in 2019. Despite the many advantages associated with non-cage systems, the shift to a housing system where laying hens are kept in larger groups and more complex environments has given rise to new challenges related to management, health, and welfare. This review examines the close relationships between damaging behaviours and health in modern husbandry systems for laying hens. These new housing conditions increase social interactions between animals. In cases of suboptimal rearing and/or housing and management conditions, damaging behaviour or infectious diseases are likely to spread to the whole flock. Additionally, health issues, and therefore stimulation of the immune system, may lead to the development of damaging behaviours, which in turn may result in impaired body conditions, leading to health and welfare issues. This raises the need to monitor both behaviour and health of laying hens in order to intervene as quickly as possible to preserve both the welfare and health of the animals.

Assessment of fluralaner as a treatment in controlling Dermanyssus gallinae infestation on commercial layer farms and the potential for resulting benefits of improved bird welfare and productivity

Background

Poultry red mite (PRM) (Dermanyssus gallinae) infestations are a cause of anaemia, impaired productivity and stress-related behaviours linked to reduced hen welfare. A study investigated the potential health, welfare and productivity benefits following fluralaner treatment to eliminate PRM from infested hens.

Methods

A PRM-infested layer house was selected on a free-range farm (5400 hens) and an aviary farm (42,400 hens). Fluralaner (Exzolt^®; 0.5 mg/kg body weight) was administered twice, 7 days apart (Weeks 0 and 1), via drinking water. Mite populations were monitored by traps. Cameras recorded nighttime hen behaviours weekly, pre- and post-treatment. On the free-range farm, daytime behaviours were also recorded weekly. For pre- and post-treatment corticosterone assessments, eggs were randomly collected on both farms, and blood samples were collected from 50 randomly selected aviary farm hens. Production parameters were assessed using farm records.

Results

Throughout the post-treatment period, fluralaner efficacy against PRM was > 99% on both farms. On the aviary and free-range farms, treatment was followed by significant nighttime increases in the proportion of resting hens (P < 0.0001; P = 0.0175, respectively). Significant post-treatment versus pre-treatment nighttime reductions were observed in head shaking (aviary, P < 0.0001; free-range P = 0.0233) and preening (P = 0.0032; P = 0.0018) and on the aviary farm in bouts of body shaking (P = 0.0108), vertical wing shaking (P = 0.0002), head scratching (P = 0.0335), and gentle feather pecking (P < 0.0001). On the free-range farm there were significant daytime reductions in head scratching (P < 0.0001), head shaking (P = 0.0492) and preening (P = 0.0012). Relative to standard production parameters, no differences were detected on the aviary farm, but on the free-range farm the laying rate decline with increasing age was less than expected and the increase in egg weight greater than expected. Post-treatment increases in egg and plasma corticosterone were suggestive of stress factors in addition to mite infestation. Red blood cell counts and haematocrit increased following treatment.

Conclusion

Fluralaner treatment eliminated mite challenge, leading to improved hen welfare and health, based on reductions in stress-related behaviours and restoration of the anaemia-inducing effects of mite blood feeding.