Improvements to Bird Welfare and the Impact of Red Mite Infestations

In recent years, many measures have been implemented with the goal of improving bird welfare. One measure was banning the use of traditional cages for poultry birds in favor of alternative housing systems, and incorporating more complex environments. While these animal welfare measures represent significant change for the poultry industry, such housing systems appear to favor red mite proliferation and intensify infestation problems. Mites are afforded more hiding possibilities, enabling them to more easily escape conventional control measures like sprayed products.

In the absence of effective control measures, the proliferation of red mite infestations decrease general health and productivity. Infestations induce a high level of stress on poultry, as well as repeated pain and skin irritation resulting in feather-pecking and cannibalism.

The development of more useful, effective and innovative treatments to control red mite infestations and improve bird welfare has been an unmet medical need recognized by the scientific community, key opinion leader groups, the layer industry and the EU.