Intra-farm variations of rodent infestations on poultry farms of Central Argentina

GÓMEZ VILLAFAÑE, ISABEL; CAVIA, REGINO; BUSCH, MARÍA; BILENA

BRITISH POULTRY SCIENCE

Taylor & Francis

Lugar: Edinburg; Año: 2003 vol. 44 p. 669 - 673

0007-1668

Abstract 1. During the summer and winter of 1998 we monitored rodent infestation at sheds of 9 poultry farms in central Argentina to estimate variation in rodent infestation within farms and its possible association with shed structure and farm design. During the summer and winter of 1998 we monitored rodent infestation at sheds of 9 poultry farms in central Argentina to estimate variation in rodent infestation within farms and its possible association with shed structure and farm design. 2. We observed great heterogeneity in rodent infestations, with a mean variation of 37% in the ¨Rodent Infestation Index¨ (RII; an estimate of rodent density revealed by tracks) between sheds of the same farm.. We observed great heterogeneity in rodent infestations, with a mean variation of 37% in the ¨Rodent Infestation Index¨ (RII; an estimate of rodent density revealed by tracks) between sheds of the same farm. 3. In summer, the group of sheds that showed the highest RII had a significantly higher chicken density than the group of sheds with the lowest RII. Sheds located between other sheds of the same farm showed a lower RII than sheds located beside the perimeter of the farm. In summer, the group of sheds that showed the highest RII had a significantly higher chicken density than the group of sheds with the lowest RII. Sheds located between other sheds of the same farm showed a lower RII than sheds located beside the perimeter of the farm. 4. Our results support the hypothesis that rodents show habitat selection at both macro (i.e., farm) and micro (i.e., shed) habitat scales, and that the variables associated with these associations can change according with the scale. Our results support the hypothesis that rodents show habitat selection at both macro (i.e., farm) and micro (i.e., shed) habitat scales, and that the variables associated with these associations can change according with the scale. 5. Our observation that sheds located beside the perimeter of the farms are prone to rodent invasions reinforces our previous recommendation that farms with an efficient control of vegetation growth around their perimeter would have appreciably lower rodent infestations.Our observation that sheds located beside the perimeter of the farms are prone to rodent invasions reinforces our previous recommendation that farms with an efficient control of vegetation growth around their perimeter would have appreciably lower rodent infestations.