International Hatchery Practice — Volume 29 Number 3 25

by David Cross, head of technicaltraining, Rentokil Pest Control, UK.

Warm, sheltered and full of foodand water, a hatchery providesthe perfect place for pests to

multiply. Attracted to the environment,pests bring specific health risks to poultry.Rats, mice, flies and wild birds are all wellknown for their ability to spread diseases. Incommercial premises, where a large numberof birds are in close proximity, contagioncan occur at incredible speed, threateningthe hygiene and biosecurity of the hatchery.Placing preventative measures at the centreof any pest control strategy is thereforecritical to its success.

Rodents and wild birds

Rats, mice and wild birds threaten the healthand security of poultry units in a number ofways. They are carriers of infections,including salmonella, fowl cholera anderysipelas and can contaminate food withdroppings and urine. They can also gnawthrough hatchery walls, damage utilityinfrastructure and will eat eggs and attackbirds on occasion. Besides infection, rodents and wild birds

can bring parasites, such as Northern FowlMite into the poultry unit. These can causesubstantial harm to birds, leading to distressand severe anaemia. Eggs produced frominfected hens cannot be sold for humanconsumption, making the business impact ofthis type of infestation considerable. The presence of these pests may further

damage a hatchery business bycompromising the quality standardsrequired by auditors,particularly

since being pest free is a pre-requisite of anybiosecurity system.The best way to control the presence of

rodents and wild birds in hatcheries andother livestock premises is to go back tobasics. The following provides a simple but

effective guide to proofing your hatcheryagainst these pests:

l Early detectionEarly detection can significantly reduce theimpact of an infestation. Products such asRentokil’s non-toxic monitoring blocks canbe used to detect early stage rodentinfestation without introducing toxicsubstances into the hatchery.Only when infestation is detected are toxic

rodent baits or physical control methodssuch as lethal traps employed.

It is worth noting that the rules aroundthe use of anti-coagulant rodenticides

are changing and advice on thelatest restriction on use shouldbe sought from aprofessional pest control

organisation.

l Safeguard storesProperly sealing poultry food is essential insafeguarding against infestation.

Food containers should be metal orindustrial plastic, and stored away from themain hatchery. All stores should be cleaned regularly and

feed spillage and other waste removedquickly to deny pests a readily available foodsource.

l Cleanliness is key Mice are attracted to areas with easilyaccessible food and harbourage (shelter), soclutter should be kept to a minimum.Moving tools and bins away from walls

prevents rubbish being forgotten behindthem, and keeping drains clearly visible helpsensure they are regularly cleaned. Keeping vegetation cut short also denies

pests secure cover, discouraging them fromapproaching the building.

Secure the building

Rat, mice and wild bird access can bereduced by ensuring all doors fit propertyand no gaps larger than 5mm exist belowthese when closed. Pests can also be prevented from gaining

access to wall cavities and ceiling voids bysealing holes in walls and around pipes and

Continued on page 27

Control strategies to keep your hatchery free from pests

International Hatchery Practice — Volume 29 Number 3 27

electrical cables with sand and cement orsilicone sealant.

Flies

As we enter into spring, flies become anincreasing problem in hatcheries –particularly in free-range poultry layingsystems, where manure can remain in theanimal house for an extended period oftime. Common and lesser housefly speciesare both problematic, as they lay their larvaein poultry faeces before dispersing throughthe buildings. The physical presence of theseflies may lead to contamination issuesresulting in poor quality eggs. Egg producerswith persistent fly infestations may find theiraccreditation to food quality schemessuspended, or that customers such assupermarkets decide to terminate theircommercial agreements.To control the population of flies in your

hatchery, you can take the following actions:

l Restrict larvae feedingAs flies often lay eggs in manure, cleaningthe hatchery floor is an obvious but essentialstep to preventing infestation. Additionally, adequate drainage will

prevent standing water, which providesseveral different species of fly with abreeding environment.

l Mechanical devicesThe efficiency and durability of electrocutiondevices has improved over recent years,making them incredibly useful in the defenceof the poultry house environment.Pheromone (muscamone) attractants arealso popular where other insect controlmethods are undesirable. It is advisablethough that these are placed both inside andoutside of the facility to be effective.

l Chemical controlFor poultry units where fly infestation is asevere problem, chemical control may berequired. Chemicals can be applied as

Continued from page 25

Bait box inspection is an essential partof pest control management.

larvicides into manure heaps, via a spray, oras a bait formulation painted on walls whereflies congregate. Care should be taken withall biocide applications to ensure the wellbeing of the birds and people working in theunit. In some circumstances, it will be saferto use professional help with chemicalapplications. When managing a hatcheryenvironment, the importance of continuouspest monitoring cannot be underestimated. Catching the problem early is crucial, as

the longer pests have to thrive, the morelikely it is that a sizable infestation will occur.This in turn increases the risk of a significantbreach in the biosecurity of unhatched eggsand the young flock. The results of inspections and monitoring

programmes should always be recorded andany trends in pest activity noted anddiscussed at management level. This willhelp ensure the efficiency of pest controlprogrammes is monitored and that, ifnecessary, they are adapted to meet thecritical needs of the hatchery. Whether youare dealing with a pest problem or aresimply looking to prevent one, it isimportant that you know who to contact. For any external contractor, part of their

role is to be fully up-to-speed on the latestlegislation changes in their area of expertise.Pest controllers are no different, so if you

are in any doubt as to what substances touse, then it is always best to check with theexperts. n