Red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) infestation is one of the most significant welfare and economic problems in laying hen production, causing chronic discomfort, anemia, and reduced production.
Laying hens with heavy red mite infestations experience constant nocturnal feeding by parasites causing itching, skin irritation, and blood loss that leads to anemia. The welfare impact is insidious — hens become progressively debilitated without obvious single welfare events. Infested hens show reduced activity, altered perching behavior, and poor feather condition. Integrated pest management using multiple approaches including hygiene, physical methods, and biological controls maintains better control than chemical reliance alone while reducing resistance development.