WORM PARASITES IN POULTRY

2. WORM PARASITES IN
POULTRY

3. PARASITIC
WORMS

4. Scientific name
Roundworm: Ascaridia galli
Hairworm: Capillaria spp.
Caecal worm: Heterakis gallinarum
Eye worm: Oxyspirura mansoni
Hosts:
Earthworms, flies, slugs, snails and beetles
may be carriers of parasitic worms that
affect poultry.

5. Birds become infected by picking up worm eggs
from the litter, soil or droppings. Once in the gut,
the eggs hatch and mature. The eggs of the
worms are excreted in the birds' droppings and
the cycle starts again.
Some worms require a host to complete their life
cycle and poultry must ingest the affected host to
be become infected by the parasite.
LIFE CYCLE

6. • Hairworms are found in the esophagus, the
crop or the upper part of the small intestine.
• Tapeworms attach to the wall of the upper
and middle thirds of the small intestine.
• Roundworms are found in the small
intestine.
• Cecal worms are found in the blind end of
the caeca.
VARIOUS LOCATION INFECTED
BY WORMS

7. A veterinary diagnostic laboratory or
veterinarian’s office can diagnose intestinal
worm infections by examining droppings under a
microscope for parasite eggs or by postmortem.
Small animal veterinarians may not be very
familiar with chicken parasites, and some flock
keepers armed.
How to diagnose parasitic worm infections

8. • slow growth
• reduced appetite and
weight loss
• ruffled feathers,
droopiness and an
unthrifty look
• diarrhea
• reduced egg
production
• pale comb.
Clinical signs

9. Worms are usually transmitted
from bird to bird through the
fecal oral route. This is where
worm eggs are excreted in
droppings and then ingested by
birds that scratch and peck at
the soil, litter or droppings.
Ingestion of infected
earthworms, bugs and other
secondary hosts can also spread
parasitic worms.
HOW IT SPREADS

10. Parasitic worms cannot be totally eliminated, hence the aim of
deworming is to reduce their population so that they do not affect their
hosts. Giving your hens a drug that effectively kills or paralyzes intestinal
worms is referred to as deworming them. In the chicken's excrement, the
worms that are dead or dying exit the intestines.
Be careful about deworming too much. Repeated deworming only leads
to worms developing resistance to medications. Good evidence actually
suggests that hosting a few worms is an immune system booster, believe
it or not! Albendazole, fenbendazole, ivermectin, and levamisole are
effective treatments for most parasitic worms of chickens. Fenbendazole
and albendazole have the advantage of being extremely safe
medications. Piperazine is only effective against roundworms.
Treat and Prevent Parasitic Worms

11. The greatest impacts in a worm infestation are reduced
feed efficiency and egg quality. In severe infestations,
death may occur. Occasionally worms are found inside
the chicken egg.
Caecal worms can harbour the disease organism that
causes blackhead. Chickens can be resistant to
blackhead, however turkeys are quite vulnerable.
IMPACTS

12. CONTROL
 Wet areas encourage worm growth so have good drainage on
the range area to limit water from pooling and puddling.
 Treat with anti-parasitic drugs, usually added to the water.
Check veterinary advice and follow manufacturer's directions,
including any withholding periods where eggs and meat
should not be consumed.
 Regularly clean poultry housing, including their feeders and
drinkers and remove any build-up of fecal material.
 Using a combination of these methods will help to achieve
the best results.
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