Overview

Vin Farm, one of Serbia’s largest egg producers with a capacity of 1 million hens, has utilized Pulcap since 2018 to combat severe mite infestations. This case study documents the farm’s journey from facing critical infestation levels to achieving and maintaining mite-free environments, highlighting the profound health and economic benefits realized through consistent use of Pulcap.

Farm Profile

• Location: Serbia
• Type of Farm: Large-scale commercial layer farm
• Housing System: Six cage systems and two aviary systems
• Capacity: 1 million hens
• Equipment: Big Dutchman (poultry housing)

Challenge

Vin Farm was initially grappling with a level 4+ mite infestation that significantly threatened the health and productivity of their hens. The severity of the situation necessitated a robust and effective solution that could be sustained over the long term without interrupting farm operations.

Initiation of Pulcap Treatment:

• Start Year: 2018
• Application Method: Systematic deployment of Pulcap across all housing units, facilitated by specialized spraying equipment designed to work seamlessly with Big Dutchman housing systems.

Ongoing Management Strategy:

• Latest Treatment: January 5, 2024
• Approach: Preventative maintenance treatments are now primarily conducted to prepare facilities for new flock introductions, ensuring a pristine environment from the start.

Results

The diligent application of Pulcap has eradicated mite infestations across all housing units, maintaining a consistently mite-free status as evidenced by regular checks.

This success has led to several key benefits:

Increased Hen Productivity – The absence of mites has alleviated stress and disease among the hens, leading to increased egg production and enhanced overall welfare.

Reduced Mortality Rates – Improved living conditions have notably decreased hen mortality, demonstrating better health management practices.

Cost Savings – Maintaining a mite-free environment has reduced the frequency and cost of treatments significantly, enhancing economic efficiency and reducing operational expenditures at the farm.

Conclusion

Vin Farm’s successful use of Pulcap highlights its efficacy in controlling severe mite infestations and maintaining optimal health conditions for poultry. This transition from critical infestation levels to a consistently mite-free environment not only emphasizes Pulcap’s effectiveness but also illustrates its role in boosting productivity and reducing operational costs. Vin Farm exemplifies how strategic pest management can result in substantial improvements in animal welfare and profitability in the agricultural sector.

Overview

This case study focuses on the continuous use of Pulcap at Mikros Union, a poultry farm with advanced cage systems. Since its initial implementation in 2018, Pulcap has played a pivotal role in managing and preventing mite infestations, demonstrating both its efficacy and unique advantages in a farm setup that prioritizes efficiency and ease of operation.

Farm Profile

• Location: Mikros Union
• Type of Farm: Layer farm
• Housing System: Cage system
• Equipment: Big Dutchman, known for its operational ease
• Capacity: Six facilities

Challenge

Mikros Union faced significant mite infestations, rated at level 3+ across its facilities, which could adversely affect the health of the poultry and the overall productivity of the farm. The farm required a solution that could integrate seamlessly with its existing automated systems to provide effective and continuous control of mite populations.

Solution Implementation

• Start Date: August 7, 2020
• Approach: In-situ treatments with hens present to rapidly decrease infestation levels
• Specific Challenges: Manual supplementation of U-profiles in Facilities 3 and 4 due to their unique configurations

Initiation of Treatment:

• Start Year: 2018
• Approach: Integrated mechanical application using Big Dutchman equipment
• Current Strategy:
• Method: Regular preventative treatments applied prior to the introduction of new flocks

Results

Since incorporating Pulcap into their pest management strategy, Mikros Union has consistently maintained low levels of mite infestation. The initial application significantly reduced the mite population, and the ongoing preventative treatments have prevented re-infestation, ensuring a stable and healthy environment for the hens. The compatibility of Pulcap with the Big Dutchman equipment has enabled efficient and effective application, demonstrating the product’s unique suitability for technologically advanced farming operations.

Conclusion

The sustained use of Pulcap at Mikros Union highlights its effectiveness as a mite management solution that is both easy to integrate and operate within advanced farming systems. The farm’s experience underscores Pulcap’s capability to provide long-term benefits, enhancing both the welfare of the poultry and the operational efficiency of the farm. This case study illustrates how the unique properties of Pulcap can be leveraged to achieve consistent and reliable results in managing pest infestations in modern agricultural settings.

Overview

This case study details the strategic implementation of Pulcap at Vitaleggs Hungary, a large poultry farm grappling with severe mite infestations. The farm’s extensive facilities and varying conditions presented unique challenges that required a multi-faceted approach to mite management, integrating both immediate and long-term strategies.

Farm Profile

• Location: Hungary
• Type of Farm: Layer farm
• Housing System: Cage system with partial manual interventions
• Capacity: Seven facilities with an average capacity of 25,000 hens each

Challenge

Vitaleggs Hungary faced a critical situation with mite infestations rated at levels 3+ and even 4+ in some facilities, indicating a severe and widespread problem. The farm’s existing cage system allowed for mechanical treatment in most areas, but certain facilities required additional manual intervention to address inaccessible areas effectively. The dire state of infestation necessitated immediate action to alleviate conditions and protect the health of the hens.

Solution Implementation

• Start Date: August 7, 2020
• Approach: In-situ treatments with hens present to rapidly decrease infestation levels
• Specific Challenges: Manual supplementation of U-profiles in Facilities 3 and 4 due to their unique configurations

Ongoing Strategy:

• Method: Transition to preventative measures with annual treatments focusing on facility preparation during empty periods
• Technique: Predominantly mechanical applications complemented by manual efforts where necessary

Results

The initial aggressive treatment strategy effectively reduced the mite levels, allowing for a shift towards a sustainable management plan. By incorporating both mechanical and manual techniques, the farm was able to adapt to the varying needs of each facility, ensuring comprehensive coverage and effective mite control. The annual maintenance treatments have maintained low infestation levels, stabilizing the farm’s overall health and productivity.

Conclusion

The case of Vitaleggs Hungary showcases Pulcap’s effectiveness in managing severe mite infestations across a complex farm setup. The tailored approach, combining immediate in-situ treatments with a robust preventive strategy, has proven essential in restoring and maintaining the health of the farm. This intervention highlights the importance of flexibility and precision in pest management strategies, particularly in environments with high infestation levels and complex operational challenges.

Overview

This case study highlights the implementation of Pulcap at Eurovo Feanca, a large-scale egg production facility employing advanced housing systems. Given the complexities of the Techno Italia equipment used at the site, the farm required a meticulous and manual approach to ensure effective mite management without compromising equipment integrity or animal welfare.

Farm Profile

• Location: Eurovo Feanca
• Type of Farm: High-density layer farm
• Housing System: Voliere system
• Capacity: Two facilities with a total capacity of 100,000 hens

Challenge

Eurovo Feanca operates with a voliere system that includes a substantial number of U-profiles and hidden parts, making standard mite treatment applications challenging. The equipment, designed by Techno Italia, is particularly complex and cannot be treated using standard mechanical methods. This complexity necessitated a tailored approach to ensure thorough coverage and effective mite control.

Solution Implementation

• September 21 and 22, 2024
• Facilities: Two buildings, each housing 50,000 hens
• Process: Manual application tailored to navigate the complexities of the Techno Italia equipment

Results

The manual application process, although labor-intensive, allowed for detailed attention to the equipment’s intricate features, ensuring that all potential mite habitats were treated effectively. This approach was crucial in managing the mite population across the large-scale facilities, providing a conducive environment for the hens and maintaining the operational standards required by Eurovo Feanca.

Conclusion

The case of Eurovo Feanca demonstrates Pulcap’s versatility and effectiveness in environments where mechanical application is impractical. By adapting the application process to the specific needs of the facility’s complex equipment, Pulcap was able to provide a solution that maintained the integrity of the farm’s operations and equipment while ensuring effective mite management. This experience underlines the importance of a customized approach in pest control, particularly in high-density and technologically advanced farming setups.

Overview

This case study explores the application of Pulcap at a prominent organic egg farm in Italy, highlighting the efficacy and operational intricacies of using this innovative solution in a challenging farm setup. The farm, which operates under strict organic standards, required a solution that adheres to its commitment to sustainability without compromising the health and productivity of its hens.

Farm Profile

• Location: Italy
• Type of Farm: Organic egg production
• Housing System: Voliere system
• Capacity: Two facilities with a total capacity of 68,000 hens

Challenge

The farm’s operations include two separate facilities, each designed to house a significant number of laying hens under a voliere system. The complexity of this system, especially in an organic farming context, poses significant challenges for maintenance and mite management. The farm staff had to handle the application process manually due to the intricate setup of the equipment, adding to the labor intensity of the process.

Solution Implementation

– Initial Application:

• Date: August 22, 2023
• Facility: First building with 40,000 hens
• Process: Manual application
• Duration: 8 hours of labor

– Follow-Up Application:

• Date: September 20, 2024
• Facility: Second building with 28,000 hens
• Process: Adapted application based on previous experience

Results

The implementation of Pulcap provided effective mite management for a prolonged period of eight months, demonstrating its efficacy in an organic farming environment. The manual application, although labor-intensive, ensured that the product was applied thoroughly, accounting for the unique setup of each facility. The follow-up application on the smaller facility was carried out with adjustments made from insights gained during the initial process, optimizing both time and coverage.

Conclusion

The use of Pulcap in an organic egg production facility in Italy showcases the product’s adaptability and effectiveness in complex and labor-intensive environments. Despite the initial challenges associated with manual application, the outcomes highlight significant benefits in maintaining hen health and productivity while adhering to organic farming standards. This case underlines the importance of tailored application strategies to maximize both efficacy and operational efficiency in sustainable agriculture.

Executive Summary: Located in Bulgaria, Djeni Farm is an extensive egg production enterprise with a capacity exceeding 500,000 hens, spread across seven specialized buildings. This case study explores the challenges and successful mitigation of severe red poultry mite infestations that significantly impacted the farm’s operations and poultry health.

Problem Statement: Djeni Farm was grappling with an alarming level of red poultry mite infestation, rated at the highest severity of 4+. This severe infestation led to substantial clusters of mites throughout the facilities, undermining the health of the hens and reducing overall productivity.

Solution Implementation: The farm adopted the Pulcap treatment, a targeted two-step process utilizing an innovative sprayer designed to administer the treatment effectively across various surfaces, particularly the plastic components prevalent in the farm’s Zukami equipment. Initiated on March 4, 2020, while the hens were present, the treatment promised a non-toxic, safe, and long-lasting solution to the pest problem.

Outcomes: The immediate application of Pulcap produced visible results almost instantaneously, with a dramatic decrease in mite infestation observed within days. Continuous treatment and regular maintenance up to the last recorded treatment on July 12, 2024, have maintained low infestation levels, currently assessed at 1+, indicating minimal impact on the hens’ health and farm productivity.

Analysis: The implementation of Pulcap showcased the effectiveness of a methodical pest control strategy in large-scale agricultural settings. Regular application and adherence to the treatment protocol have not only controlled the existing infestation but also prevented potential future outbreaks.

Conclusion: Djeni Farm’s experience illustrates the critical importance of adopting innovative, effective, and sustainable pest control measures in maintaining the health and productivity of large-scale poultry operations. Pulcap has proven to be a cornerstone in the farm’s operational strategy, ensuring ongoing success and stability.

Ramuta Farm, located in Slovenia, specializes in egg production with an aviary system. The farm consists of four facilities, each with a capacity of 50,000 laying hens. Faced with a significant problem of red poultry mites affecting hen health and production efficiency, it was decided to implement treatment with Pulcap.

Problem

Before the treatment, the infestation level of red mites was marked as 3+ on a scale from 1+ to 4+, indicating a high degree of infestation adversely affecting production and hen health.

Solution

The Pulcap product was chosen for its effectiveness in eliminating red poultry mites. The product was prepared by mixing with water at a 10% Pulcap ratio, forming an emulsion that was applied to all surfaces within the facilities. Equipment was prepared and treated with the emulsion, applied using systemically connected hoses to a wall-mounted frame, allowing thorough soaking of all surfaces and preventing the movement and nesting of mites. Additionally, technical surfaces were sprayed by hand.

Results

One month after the chickens were moved in, there were absolutely no traces of red poultry mites. The infestation level was reduced to 1+, which does not impact production or hen health. Since the first treatment on September 21, 2020, the facilities are only prepared before the introduction of new flocks. The hens are healthy and productive, and egg production proceeds smoothly according to company plans.

Discussion

The application of Pulcap showed remarkable results in eliminating red poultry mites, contributing significantly to the improvement of hen health and production efficiency. This case can serve as a model for other farms facing similar challenges.

Conclusion

The case study at Ramuta Farm demonstrates the effectiveness of Pulcap in combating red poultry mites, affirming its potential as a solution for enhancing production conditions and health in poultry operations.

Introduction: In the competitive arena of egg production, poultry red mite infestations represent a significant threat to productivity and animal welfare. This case study explores how Pulcap’s innovative approach to mite control helped a Hungarian farm overcome extreme infestation challenges, drastically reducing mortality rates and stabilizing production.

Background: A large egg production farm in Hungary faced severe challenges due to poultry red mite infestations. The infestation was so acute that the cost attributed to mite-related issues reached up to €2.5 per hen, significantly impacting the farm’s profitability. Initial assessments showed alarmingly high mortality rates among the hens due to the mites’ impact.

Challenge: The farm’s initial data revealed a mortality rate of 16.34% by the 41st week in facility number three, vastly exceeding the Lohmann production technology standard of 1.9%. Similarly, facility number four reported a mortality rate of 25.07% by the 53rd week, where the expected rate should have been only 3.1%. These figures highlighted the urgent need for an effective solution.

Solution Implemented: Pulcap’s treatment was introduced as a crucial intervention. The product, known for its non-toxic and highly effective formulation, was applied alongside additional vitamins to support the exhausted hens. Pulcap’s approach focuses on creating a hostile environment for mites, suffocating them by blocking their respiratory systems without harming the hens.

Results: Two to three months post-treatment, the results were significant:

In facility three, mortality decreased to 1.65%, aligning with the Lohmann Management Guide’s expectation of a 0.9% increase during this period.
In facility four, mortality was reduced to 2.14%, close to the Lohmann expectation of 1.4%.
The successful implementation of Pulcap led to a new annual contract for pre-inhabitation treatment of empty farm facilities, demonstrating confidence in the continuous efficacy of Pulcap’s solution.

Extended Impact: In the following year, the mortality rate in the 75th week was reduced to 4.23%, compared to a potential of 5.30% as per Lohmann standards. Previously, mortality had spiked to 30% around the same time. The reduction in mortality saved approximately 6,000 hens, equating to savings of around €18,000 for the farm.

Conclusion: This case in Hungary is a testament to Pulcap’s effectiveness not only in addressing immediate mite infestations but also in establishing a sustainable, healthy environment for egg production over the long term. Pulcap has proven its value as a cost-effective, efficient solution that aligns with the economic goals and health standards of modern egg production facilities.