Q-perch helps fight poultry red mite

Poultry red mite is a parasite that is present on an average of 83% European poultry farms. Poultry red mite causes anaemia, weight loss and agitation in chickens and also facilitates the spread of bacterial and viral pathogens. This leads to additional mortality, a higher feed conversion, decreased egg quality and production. Thus, the economic importance of fighting this parasite is vital for poultry farmers. Traditionally red mite was controlled by pesticides,
which aim to minimise population size on short term basis. Vencomatic Group launches a mechanic solution to control red mite in poultry houses by continuously keeping the population size in an acceptable range. Based on the knowledge that red mite predominantly parasitize on its host during the dark, the focus is on the perches that chickens roost on. The revolutionary Q-perch is a patented perch containing two isolators, that kill the red mite on their journey
towards the chicken. A small electrical current running through the isolators is harmless for the chickens, but lethal for the red mite. The mushroom shape of the Q-perch is studied to be the most comfortable shape for the chickens, as it offers stability and grip. Therefore the Q-perch is beneficial for animal health and welfare, which in turn benefits the farmer as the chickens perform better.