Efficacy of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi) Leaf-Based Housing Sprays for Controlling Dermanyssus gallinae, Skin Lesions, and Irritation-Related Behaviors in Naturally Infested H’Mong Chickens
Keywords:
Azadirachta indica , botanical acaricide, Dermanyssus gallinae, H’Mong chickens, Melaleuca cajuputiAbstract
Dermanyssus gallinae persists mainly within poultry housing and repeatedly exposes chickens to blood feeding, cutaneous irritation, and behavioral disturbance. This study evaluated neem (Azadirachta indica) and cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi) leaf-based housing sprays, applied individually and in combination, for controlling D. gallinae in naturally infested H’Mong chickens. Preliminary contact bioassays selected 7.5% (w/v) neem and 10.0% (w/v) cajuput for field application. A 42-day trial included 192 chickens allocated to 24 pens in a 2 × 2 factorial design with six pens per treatment. We sprayed housing surfaces on Days 0, 14, and 28, and repeatedly assessed mite abundance, skin lesions, feather damage, and daytime and nighttime behaviors. All botanical treatments suppressed mite populations relative to the vehicle control, with the combined formulation producing the greatest overall reduction. Henderson–Tilton efficacy of neem + cajuput reached 92.3% on Day 35 and remained 88.2% on Day 42, compared with 74.1% for neem and 52.3% for cajuput at the final assessment. By Day 42, skin lesion scores were 1.68 ± 0.07 in controls and 0.48 ± 0.07 with the combined treatment, while moderate-to-severe skin lesions occurred in 62.5% and 12.5% of chickens, respectively. Feather damage was also lowest with the combined formulation. Treatment effects on behavior were more evident at night; by Day 42, scratching was lower in all botanical groups, while nighttime activity was 16.0 ± 2.4% of scans in the combined group compared with 51.6 ± 4.0% in controls. Although the combined formulation produced the greatest overall suppression, this numerical advantage should not be interpreted as evidence of synergism. Repeated botanical housing treatments reduced D. gallinae pressure. They were accompanied by improved integumentary condition and fewer nighttime irritation-related responses, supporting their potential role in integrated poultry red mite management.
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