This July, Red Mite Awareness Month was launched nationwide, aiming to combat costly issues in the UK poultry sector, which amounts to over £100 million a year.
The campaign will promote surveillance of active red mites across breeding and laying farms, and will provide a free surveillance pack to help growers assess invasion levels.
Red mites are blood-feeding parasites that stress birds, reduce egg production and quality, and contribute to increased mortality and disease spread.
An estimated 60-85% of UK commercial spawning farms are affected by red mites at once.
A study by MSD Animal Health has shown that even moderate invasions can cost 50p per bird, while severe cases can cost as much as 2.17 pounds per bird per year.
With flocks across the country standing at 55 million birds, the industry’s potential costs are over £101 million.
“An average farm of 24,000 birds means a loss of up to £52,000 a year,” said Katie Pitman, poultry veterinary advisor at MSD Animal Health.
“Red mites are a constant threat to poultry farms, but few people are aware of how much this issue costs the industry.”
Ms Pittman emphasized the importance of regular monitoring.
“We offer easy-to-use, free packs that are clearly shown how bad the intrusion is.”
The pack comes with free refills to promote daily checks.
Alistair Chilcott, Chicken Veterinarian, Red Mite Ambassador, called “big issues”: “If the producer says they don’t have red ticks, that means they’re not looking.”
Matt Balfour, a veterinarian for St. David’s poultry team, emphasized the importance of surveillance as a cornerstone for a longer laying cycle.
“The laying cycle has been ongoing 100 weeks with strategic red mites management, improving welfare and farm profitability.”
Balfour said regular monitoring — ideally every eight weeks — should be a standard practice.
