Individual differences in laying hen susceptibility to the northern fowl mite

Why this research is being done

The northern fowl mite is an important economic and welfare concern of commercial poultry, and is particularly damaging in cage-free production facilities that provide mites with many hosts (hens) and places to hide after hens are removed from the facility. Few products are available to eradicate mites while hens are in production. Studying individual differences in laying hens' ability to resist mite infestation is key to identifying other methods to reduce the detrimental effects of these parasites. The objective of this research is to identify characteristics associated with hens' ability to resist northern fowl mite infestations and to determine whether these differences are heritable.

Results

Research is ongoing to evaluate health and behavioral differences among hens with high and low levels of mite infestation. Preliminary results indicate that hens with high levels of mites had lower body weights and less active inflammation compared to hens with low levels of mites at six weeks after being infested with mites.

Conclusions

Additional work in collaboration with Dr. Amy Murillo and Dr. Luiz Brito will assess differences in hens' antiparasite behavior and immune responses and the heritability of these traits.

Contact information

Marisa Erasmus merasmus@purdue.edu