Cause
Worms living in the intestines of chickens fall mainly into four categories.
1. Roundworms (Ascarid), usually 5 to 7 cm (2-3 inches) long.
2. Hair worms (Capillaria), only measure 1-1.5 cm long.
3. Caecal worms (Heterakis), usually 1.5 cm long.
4. Tape worms (Raillietina, Davainea), usually 7 to 10 cm long, consisting of many small segments.
Worms living in the intestines of chickens fall mainly into four categories.
1. Roundworms (Ascarid), usually 5 to 7 cm (2-3 inches) long.
2. Hair worms (Capillaria), only measure 1-1.5 cm long.
3. Caecal worms (Heterakis), usually 1.5 cm long.
4. Tape worms (Raillietina, Davainea), usually 7 to 10 cm long, consisting of many small segments.
Transmission
Round worms via worm eggs shed in the faeces, tape worms via shed of gravid proglotids carrying eggs.
Round worms via worm eggs shed in the faeces, tape worms via shed of gravid proglotids carrying eggs.
Species affected
Chickens and turkeys. Avian worms have a broad host range.
Chickens and turkeys. Avian worms have a broad host range.
Clinical signs and lesions
Mature roundworms are not a major cause of disease, but the larvae can damage the intestinal lining, causing enteritis, anaemia, decreased egg production and at times eggs with pale yolks.
Capillaria cause more damage to the intestinal lining and can cause enteritis and anaemia with decreased egg production and the appearance of pale egg yolks (“platinum yolks”).
Caecal worms are found in the caeca and do not cause serious damage, except that their eggs can transmit blackhead (histomonas) – mainly in turkeys.
Tape worms are infrequently found and do not cause serious damage, except that they use the nutrients of the host chicken affecting economic performance.
Mature roundworms are not a major cause of disease, but the larvae can damage the intestinal lining, causing enteritis, anaemia, decreased egg production and at times eggs with pale yolks.
Capillaria cause more damage to the intestinal lining and can cause enteritis and anaemia with decreased egg production and the appearance of pale egg yolks (“platinum yolks”).
Caecal worms are found in the caeca and do not cause serious damage, except that their eggs can transmit blackhead (histomonas) – mainly in turkeys.
Tape worms are infrequently found and do not cause serious damage, except that they use the nutrients of the host chicken affecting economic performance.
Diagnosis
Post mortem examination of the intestinal contents will reveal round-worms, caecal worms, and tape worms without difficulty.
Capillaria can usually be found when intestinal contents are washed through a fine mesh sieve.
Post mortem examination of the intestinal contents will reveal round-worms, caecal worms, and tape worms without difficulty.
Capillaria can usually be found when intestinal contents are washed through a fine mesh sieve.
Treatment
Roundworms and caecal worm infections can be treated with anthelmintics(eg Piperazine, Fenbendazole).
Piperazine is not effective against tape worms and capillaria for which other anthelmintics are required.
Roundworms and caecal worm infections can be treated with anthelmintics(eg Piperazine, Fenbendazole).
Piperazine is not effective against tape worms and capillaria for which other anthelmintics are required.
Control
Prevent egg loading by strategic deworming and removing infected litter after each cycle.
Prevent egg loading by strategic deworming and removing infected litter after each cycle.
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