Effective Methods for Combating Chicken Mites in Poultry Houses

Increased consumption of vitamin B in the diet of birds can alter the smell and taste of their blood, making it less attractive to red chicken mites and disrupting their food chain.

This is reported by AgroReview

“According to some researchers, increasing the vitamin B content in the diet of birds changes the smell and taste of their blood: it no longer attracts red chicken mites, and as a result, their food chain is broken.”

Comprehensive Mite Control Strategy

To achieve maximum effectiveness in combating chicken mites in the poultry house, it is important to follow a clear action plan. A key point is to carry out a set of mite control measures immediately after the premises are vacated by the birds and before the main mechanical cleaning. This minimizes the risk of parasite movement or their transition into a phase of reduced metabolism, during which they become more resistant to acaricides.

A second treatment of the premises is recommended 10 days later or 24 hours before the birds return. If there are already birds in the poultry house, the re-treatment should be conducted after 7–12 days. It is important to consider that at elevated temperatures in the premises, the intervals between treatments should be shorter.

Additional Measures and Resistance Prevention

As an additional measure, an intermittent lighting program can be used: 15 minutes of light and 45 minutes of darkness, repeated every two days for a minimum of seven times. After a month-long break, the cycle is repeated six more times. However, the application of this method depends on the productive characteristics of the birds, so all possible risks and precautions must be taken into account.

Equally important is the regular rotation of acaricides from different chemical groups to prevent the development of resistance in the mites. Systematic rotation of products helps maintain the effectiveness of parasite control and preserve the health of the flock.