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Murillo AC, Abdoli A, Blatchford RA, Keogh EJ, Gerry AC. Low levels of chicken body louse (Menacanthus stramineus) infestations affect chicken welfare in a cage-free housing system. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:221. [PMID: 38745229 PMCID: PMC11092089 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06313-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chicken body louse is an obligate ectoparasite of domestic chickens. Chicken body lice feed on feathers, and infestation with this louse is linked to decreases in egg production, hen weight, and feed conversion efficiency. However, it is unknown how chicken body lice impact egg-laying chickens in cage-free environments. Welfare and behavior metrics were collected from flocks of egg-laying chickens either infested with chicken body lice or left uninfested. METHODS In two trials, two flocks of cage-free commercial egg-laying chickens were infested with chicken body lice or maintained as uninfested controls. At three timepoints, behavior and welfare of all chickens was measured. On-animal sensors were used to quantify pecking, preening, and dustbathing behavior. Other animal-based welfare metrics included recording comb wounds and skin lesions. RESULTS Birds infested with chicken body lice exhibited significantly more preening behaviors than uninfested birds, even at low louse levels. Moderate or severe skin lesions were detected on birds that were moderately infested with chicken body lice while skin lesions were never detected on uninfested birds. CONCLUSIONS The welfare of chickens was impacted by the chicken body louse, a chewing louse that primarily feather feeds. Evidence of skin lesions on infested birds suggests that lice may cause more damage to birds than previously thought, and further evaluation of louse economic damage is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Murillo
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Alireza Abdoli
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Richard A Blatchford
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Animal Welfare, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Eammon J Keogh
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alec C Gerry
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
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Vas J, BenSassi N, Vasdal G, Newberry RC. Better welfare for broiler chickens given more types of environmental enrichments and more space to enjoy them. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
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Farm Environmental Enrichments Improve the Welfare of Layer Chicks and Pullets: A Comprehensive Review. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192610. [PMID: 36230351 PMCID: PMC9559498 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, cage housing is regarded as a global mainstream production system for laying hens. However, limited living space and confinement of birds in cages cause welfare and health problems, such as feather pecking, osteoporosis, obesity, and premature aging. Many studies have been conducted to alleviate layer welfare problems by providing farm environmental enrichments such as litter, sand, alfalfa bales, chick papers, pecking stones, pecking strings, perches, slopes, elevated platforms, aviaries and outdoor access with a trend towards complex enrichments. The provision of appropriate enrichments continuously attracts layers towards pecking, foraging, dust bathing, and locomotion, thereby giving lifelong benefits to laying hens. Hence, raising chicks and pullets under such conditions may reduce feather and skin damage, as well as accumulation of abdominal fat, and improve several biological features such as health, productivity, quality products, and docility of laying hens. Therefore, providing enrichment during the first few days of the layer’s life without any interruption is crucial. In addition, due to different farm conditions, environmental enrichment should be managed by well-trained farm staff. For example, in preventing feather pecking among the birds, litter materials for foraging are superior to dust bath materials or new items. However, a limited supply of litter creates competition and challenges among birds. Therefore, providing farm environmental enrichment for layers requires proper handling, especially in commercial layer farms. Hence, improving the welfare of chicks and pullets through optimizing on-farm environmental enrichments is essential for production systems practicing cage housing.
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Murillo AC, Abdoli A, Blatchford RA, Keogh EJ, Gerry AC. Parasitic mites alter chicken behaviour and negatively impact animal welfare. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8236. [PMID: 32427882 PMCID: PMC7237419 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65021-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, is one of the most common and damaging ectoparasites of poultry. As an obligate blood feeding mite, the northern fowl mite can cause anaemia, slower growth, and decreased egg production of parasitized birds. However, the impact of mites or other ectoparasites on hen behaviour or welfare is not well studied. Here, we use activity sensors (three-axis accelerometers) affixed to individual birds to continuously record hen movement before, during, and after infestation with mites. Movements recorded by sensors were identified to specific bird behaviours through a previously trained algorithm, with frequency of these behaviours recorded for individual birds. Hen welfare was also determined before, during, and after mite infestation of hens using animal-based welfare metrics. Northern fowl mites significantly increased hen preening behaviour and resulted in increased skin lesions of infested birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Murillo
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Alireza Abdoli
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Richard A Blatchford
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Animal Welfare, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Eamonn J Keogh
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alec C Gerry
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
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Jacobs L, Vezzoli G, Beerda B, Mench JA. Northern fowl mite infestation affects the nocturnal behavior of laying hens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Bush SE, Clayton DH. Anti-parasite behaviour of birds. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0196. [PMID: 29866911 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds have many kinds of internal and external parasites, including viruses, bacteria and fungi, as well as protozoa, helminths and arthropods. Because parasites have negative effects on host fitness, selection favours the evolution of anti-parasite defences, many of which involve behaviour. We provide a brief review of anti-parasite behaviours in birds, divided into five major categories: (i) body maintenance, (ii) nest maintenance, (iii) avoidance of parasitized prey, (iv) migration and (v) tolerance. We evaluate the adaptive significance of the different behaviours and note cases in which additional research is particularly needed. We briefly consider the interaction of different behaviours, such as sunning and preening, and how behavioural defences may interact with other forms of defence, such as immune responses. We conclude by suggesting some general questions that need to be addressed concerning the nature of anti-parasite behaviour in birds.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Bush
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Dale H Clayton
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Murillo AC, Mullens BA. A review of the biology, ecology, and control of the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae). Vet Parasitol 2017; 246:30-37. [PMID: 28969777 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini & Fanzago, 1877), is found on several continents and has been a major pest of poultry in the United States for nearly a century. Lack of earlier USA reports in the United States suggests an introduction or change to pest status in domestic poultry systems occurred in the early 1900s. Though predominantly a nest-parasite of wild birds, this obligate hematophagous mite is a permanent ectoparasite on domestic birds, especially egg-laying chickens. Economic damage is incurred by direct blood feeding and activation of the of host's immune responses. This in turn causes decreased egg production and feed conversion efficiency, and severe infestations can cause anemia or death to birds. Here we review the biology, ecology, and recent control measures for the northern fowl mite. Photomicrographs are included of adult males and females, protonymphs, and larvae with key characters indicated. Special emphasis is placed on current knowledge gaps of basic and applied science importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Murillo
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States.
| | - Bradley A Mullens
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
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Murillo AC, Mullens BA. Timing Diatomaceous Earth-Filled Dustbox Use for Management of Northern Fowl Mites (Acari: Macronyssidae) in Cage-Free Poultry Systems. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 109:2572-2579. [PMID: 27630041 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tow165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Northern fowl mite management on conventionally caged birds relies on synthetic pesticide sprays to wet the vent. Cage-free chickens cannot be effectively treated this way, and pesticide use is restricted in organic production. Dustbathing behavior is encouraged in newer production systems for increased hen welfare. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an approved organic insecticide that can be mixed with sand in dustboxes, suppressing mites but not excluding them, and potentially allowing development of mite immunity. We tested two hypotheses: 1) that DE-filled dustboxes placed before northern fowl mite introduction (prophylactic use) prevents mite populations from reaching economically damaging thresholds, and 2) that bird exposure to low mite numbers allows for protective hen immunity to develop and suppress mites after dustboxes are removed. We also tested if different beak trimming techniques (a commercial practice) affect mite growth. Mites were introduced to birds after dustboxes were made available. Average mite densities in flocks remained below damaging levels while dustboxes were available. Average mite populations rebounded after dustbox removal (even though DE persisted in the environment) regardless of the timing of removal. Mite densities on birds where a traditional hot-blade beak trimming technique was used (trial 1) were high. Mite densities in trial 2, where a newer precision infra-red trimming was used, were lower. The newer infra-red trimming method resulted in nearly intact beaks, which were better for mite control by bird grooming behaviors. The combination of early dustbox use and infra-red beak trimming should allow producers to avoid most mite damage in cage-free flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bradley A Mullens
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521 (; )
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Vezzoli G, King AJ, Mench JA. The effect of northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation on hen physiology, physical condition, and egg quality. Poult Sci 2016; 95:1042-9. [DOI: 10.3382/ps/pew027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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