Abstract
Simple SummaryDairy cows housed on pasture are commonly afflicted by face flies, which develop as larvae in cow manure. Some organic dairy producers graze chickens in succession behind cattle as an effort to disrupt the development of dung fly larvae, but this method has yet to be validated as a successful method of pest management. In a controlled research trial, pastured broiler chickens did not reduce the survival of face fly larvae that developed in cow dung pats. This finding was buoyed by broiler behavioral observations, which revealed the broilers were unwilling to forage in dung pats. In general, broilers were reluctant to leave their shelter as solar radiation increased and climatic conditions were associated with the displacement of time allocated to sitting and sleeping behaviors. Dairy producers should take heed when adopting methods of fly control that rely on broiler chickens to willingly forage in cow dung pats especially when climatic conditions are aversive.The objective of this study was to evaluate Freedom-Ranger broiler chickens as a method to control face fly (Musca autumnalis De Geer) larvae in cow dung pats on pasture. Ninety-nine pats in three replicates were inoculated with first-instar larvae and exposed to one of four treatment conditions for 3 to 4 days: (1) an environment-controlled greenhouse (GH); (2) pasture without broilers (NEG); (3) pasture with 25 broilers stocked at a low density of 2.5 m2 of outdoor area per broiler (LOW); and (4) pasture with 25 broilers stocked at a high density of 0.5 m2 of outdoor area per broiler (HIGH). Broiler behaviors and weather conditions were recorded twice daily. Survival rates of larvae (mean, 95% CI) were similar for pats in the NEG (4.4%, 2–9%), LOW (5.6%, 3–11%), and HIGH (3.2%, 2–7%) groups, and was greatest for larvae reared in the GH (54.4%, 36–72%) group compared to all other groups. The proportion of broilers observed pasture ranging was 14.0% (6–28%) but was negatively related to solar radiation. Broilers were never observed foraging in pats. Results indicate that use of broilers may not be an effective method for controlling larvae of dung pat breeding flies.
Highlights
On organic dairy farms in the United States of America (USA) and Europe, the face fly (Musca autumnalis De Geer) is a common pest of pastured cattle
The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine if broiler chickens affect the survival rate of face fly larvae presented in cow manure pats on pasture, and (2) to assess broiler pasture ranging and behaviors and their responses to weather conditions
The experiment was conducted from June to August 2018 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (Morris, MN, USA) in pastures that were consecutively grazed by lactating dairy cows (Bos taurus L.) and broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.)
Summary
On organic dairy farms in the United States of America (USA) and Europe, the face fly (Musca autumnalis De Geer) is a common pest of pastured cattle. Because face flies harm cattle, suppressing numbers of this pest may improve cattle welfare. The use of synthetic substances for fly control on organic cattle is restricted by regulations set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program, which maintains official federal standards for organic production practices (§205.603) [4]. The inclusion of multiple effective fly control methods (i.e., integrated pest management) is an important approach for managing dung breeding flies on organic dairy farms. Plant-derived topical products may repel horn flies (Haematobia irritans L.) on cattle for up to 1–3 days after application [5,6], and modern walk-through systems that trap to kill adult horn flies may reduce the number of horn flies on cattle by 44–75% [7,8]
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