Ectoparasites in production of laying hens: learn about this danger and how to fight it

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The ectoparasites that live in poultry skins and bodies might cause many problems from injuries, weight loss, stress, transmittable diseases and even death. Those factors lead to huge economical setbacks to small and large companies in industrial poultry farming. Controlling ectoparasites ensure greater quality of life to the birds and more profit in the poultry sector. Stay tuned in this content to understand a little more about ectoparasites and how to avoid that they harm your production.

Ectoparasites: losses in poultry production

The most common ectoparasites in birds are the lice (Dermanyssus galinae), also known as bird red mite, chicken mite, among other names. They have nocturnal habits, attacking birds to suck their blood. They also cause great discomfort, weight loss, decrease in egg production, anemia and, in some cases, even death, as result of poultry weakness.

Easily found all over the domestic territory, the Dermanyssus, like other mite species, lie in the environment where the poulty is kept, climbing onto them during the night to feed. And that is proven to cause serious sanitary problems, such as salmonellosis. It has a life span of only 7 days, that is to say, they reproduce very fast and the infestation might grow rapidly, leading to grave financial issues. Those mites can survive over 10 months in an empty shed.
The main symptoms of a lice infestation are:

• Constant injuries in birds
• Decrease in egg laying
• Widespread stress in production (and in the farmer)
• Trigger to canibalism between birds

Actions for fighting against ectoparasites in poultry farming

The measures for controlling and fighting ectoparasites stem from adopting pratical routine actions, such as:

• Bird, domestic and wild animal control, with wire meshes in sheds and fences along the properties
• Disinfection of the shed when aren’t birds inside, with chlorine and soda
• In birds, it is crucial to treat them with baths, spraying, sistemic sprinkling
• Handle residue correctly throughout the whole grange and aviary, avoiding the proliferation of ectoparasites

There are many chemical products that reduce infestation, but none of them eliminate it for good. That is why all measures are important to control the issue.

Regardless of the ectoparasite type, sanitization is essential to ensure egg production. Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection equipments and facilities are imperative to reduce infection odds. For this reason, take advantage of the best aviary cleaning methods, spray your environment and take care of the neatness around the shed, taking off invasive plants and controlling wild and domestic animals. Promote ventilation, dispose dead birds, broken eggs and keep drinkers and feeders clean. In case that there are transit of vehicles near, install disinfection archs to avoid the entrance of contamination sources.

Which actions do you do in your poultry farming to avoid contamination from ectoparasites? Share your ideas with us!