Severe infestation of Ornithonyssus bursa in a commercial poultry layer farm and its successful management

Abstract

Mites are obligatory haematophagous ectoparasites that infesting commercial poultry farms in tropical countries. This study reports a severe infestation of Ornithonyssus bursa in a commercial poultry farm and its successful treatment. A poultry farmer approached with the samples containing mites, which were creating annoyance to the birds as well as farm workers in the sheds. After repeated usage of chemical acaricides, the mite menace was not controlled. On visit, it was noticed clusters of mites near bird cages, water pipelines, feeders, egg trays, particularly in the cobwebs and also on the birds. All most 90 percent of the flock (about 4.0 lakh) which was spread over in eight sheds was showing severe mite infestation. Based on the morphological features, the mites were identified as Ornithonyssus bursa. Preventive measures, including clearing of cobwebs by home use vacuum cleaners were advised before the acaricidal spray. Sponging with malathion in lukewarm water was done for the cages, water pipelines, feeders and other farm equipment and sprayed on poultry manure. Deltamethrin spray was applied directly on birds and on farm equipments which were close to the birds. Besides these, blow lamping was done on the walls and crevices of poultry sheds. The above treatment was done for thrice with an interval of 2 weeks and the condition was improved satisfactorily and the mite infestation was controlled completely.