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

PLoS One. 2020 Nov 19;15(11):e0241608. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241608. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, a potential vector of pathogens to animals and humans, causes impaired bird welfare. A study investigated changes in behavioural variables, physiological biomarkers, and health parameters following acaricidal treatment of PRM infestation of laying hens on a commercial farm. Mite traps determined the challenge to 12,700 hens before and after drinking water administration of the acaricide, fluralaner (Exzolt®, 0.5 mg/kg; Weeks 0 and 1). Weekly daytime direct observations and night-time video recordings monitored bird behaviours from Weeks -6 through +6. Blood samples were collected from randomly-selected birds (Weeks -6, -1, and +6). Following treatment, mite count reductions (>99%) were statistically significant (P < 0.0001), as were night-time reductions in the percent of hens showing activity, preening, head scratching (all P < 0.0001), and head shaking (P = 0.0007). Significant daytime reductions were observed in preening and head scratching (both P < 0.0001), head shaking (P = 0.0389), severe feather pecking (P = 0.0002), and aggressive behaviour (P = 0.0165). Post-treatment, comb wounds were significantly reduced (P = 0.0127), and comb colour was significantly improved (P < 0.0001). Heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly reduced at Weeks 1 and 6 (P = 0.0009 and P < 0.0001, respectively). At Week 6, blood corticosterone (P = 0.0041) and total oxidant status (P < 0.0001) were significantly reduced, and haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin significantly increased (P < 0.0001). Farm production records indicated that those post-treatment improvements were accompanied by significant reductions in weekly mortality rate (P = 0.0169), and significant recovery in mean weekly egg weights (P < 0.0001) and laying rate (P < 0.0001). The improvements in behavioural variables, physiological biomarkers, and health parameters that were observed following the elimination of PRM on a commercial farm indicate that infestations can be a cause of reduced hen welfare.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acari / drug effects
  • Acari / pathogenicity
  • Acaricides / administration & dosage
  • Acaricides / blood*
  • Acaricides / pharmacology
  • Acaricides / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Isoxazoles / administration & dosage
  • Isoxazoles / blood*
  • Isoxazoles / pharmacology
  • Isoxazoles / therapeutic use
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Poultry / parasitology*
  • Poultry Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Reproduction / drug effects

Substances

  • A1443 compound
  • Acaricides
  • Hemoglobins
  • Isoxazoles

Grants and funding

This study was supported by MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH in the form of funds awarded to the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) where the investigator and first author DT is employed. MSD Animal Health also provided support in the form of salaries for EZ, IP, RD and ET. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. The funders had no role in data collection or decision to publish but had a role in the study design, the statistical analysis of the data and the critical review of the manuscript.