Northern Fowl Mite Control with PVC Bands Impregnated with 10% Permethrin, 1982

Polyvinylchloride bands impregnated with 10% permethrin were evaluated for control of northern fowl mites on roosters in a breeding flock located in Batesburg, SC. Mite populations were visually estimated, by parting the feathers in the vent area and on the thighs immediately preceding treatment, 4 wk, 8 wk and 12 wk post treatment. Population levels were indexed by the following codes: 1 = 0-10 mites/bird, 2 = 11-100 mites/bird, 3 = 101-500 mites/bird, 4 = 501-1000 mites/bird, 5 = 1001-10,000 mites/bird and 6 = 10,000+ mites/bird. Potential roosters were isolated from the flock of 800 roosters and 8000 hens and their mite populations estimated. If mite populations did not look sufficiently high, they were returned to the flock. Otherwise, they were banded with an identifying numbered leg band and either 1, 2 or no PVC bands. After selection of birds, banding of roosters with 1 or 2 treatment bands or for use as a control was done randomly. PVC bands were placed above the first joint (hock) of the leg. In all, 116 roosters were leg banded to be used as a control or treatment replicate. Treatments were made on Jun 10.