Worms
At least nine species of worms may infect various internal
parts of chickens. Chief among them are roundworms, cecal worms and tapeworms.
Worms are spread through feces or through a variety of intermediate hosts,
including snails, slugs, earthworms, flies, cockroaches and other
insects.
Symptoms - Initial increase in feed consumption with
little or no weight gain. In severe cases, chickens lose weight rapidly. Laying
chickens produce fewer eggs.
Post mortem results - Large roundworms, found in middle of
small intestine, are yellowwhite, from 4 to 7.5 cm. (1 1/2 to 3 in.) long, and
comparatively thick - bodied. Cecal worms, found in blind ends of the ceca, are
white and about 1.25 cm. (1/2 in.) long. Tapeworms, found in the small
intestine, are flat, white, ribbon - like and segmented. They vary in size from
microscopic to 15 - 17.5 cm (6 to 7 in.).
Treatment - Each type of worm requires a specific drug:
piperazine for roundworms, phenothiazine for cecal worms and dibutyltin
dilaurate for tape worms. Some manufacturers combine one or more of these drugs
in a single medication. Treat as directed for major infestations.
Prevention - Primarily, sanitation. Make sure that litter is replaced between flocks, keep wild birds out of the house, use insecticides against cockroaches and other intermediate hosts and do not feed snails or slugs to chickens. If you suspect that worms are present (they probably are), treat broilers at four weeks of age and every two months thereafter; layers at ten weeks and every two months thereafter.
parts of chickens. Chief among them are roundworms, cecal worms and tapeworms.
Worms are spread through feces or through a variety of intermediate hosts,
including snails, slugs, earthworms, flies, cockroaches and other
insects.
Symptoms - Initial increase in feed consumption with
little or no weight gain. In severe cases, chickens lose weight rapidly. Laying
chickens produce fewer eggs.
Post mortem results - Large roundworms, found in middle of
small intestine, are yellowwhite, from 4 to 7.5 cm. (1 1/2 to 3 in.) long, and
comparatively thick - bodied. Cecal worms, found in blind ends of the ceca, are
white and about 1.25 cm. (1/2 in.) long. Tapeworms, found in the small
intestine, are flat, white, ribbon - like and segmented. They vary in size from
microscopic to 15 - 17.5 cm (6 to 7 in.).
Treatment - Each type of worm requires a specific drug:
piperazine for roundworms, phenothiazine for cecal worms and dibutyltin
dilaurate for tape worms. Some manufacturers combine one or more of these drugs
in a single medication. Treat as directed for major infestations.
Prevention - Primarily, sanitation. Make sure that litter is replaced between flocks, keep wild birds out of the house, use insecticides against cockroaches and other intermediate hosts and do not feed snails or slugs to chickens. If you suspect that worms are present (they probably are), treat broilers at four weeks of age and every two months thereafter; layers at ten weeks and every two months thereafter.