Worms are a great menace in poultry production; chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and other poultry species are highly susceptible to worm infestations. Worms can reduce the productivity of the birds, such as a drastic drop in egg production, and if the infestation is severe, it can result in the bird’s death. Worm infestation is most common in birds kept in deep litter systems because the birds have direct access to their waste and other foreign bodies.
Deworming is the process of removing parasitic intestinal worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, hairworms, and cecal worms, with anthelmintic drugs or dewormers like Albendazole and Levamisole. To effectively eliminate worms in poultry birds, it is vital to know exactly what kind of worms affect chickens, their characteristic features, and their site of action.
Fortunately, there are some ways to tell if your chickens are infested, and the information will help you make an informed decision about the type of dewormer to use and the deworming schedule. This article is here to help.
Types of Worms Affecting Chickens
Common worms affecting poultry birds are:
- Roundworms
- Hairworms
- Tapeworms
- Cecal worms
Roundworms (Ascarids)
You would have possibly come across these worms severally times because roundworms are one of the most common worms found in poultry. Roundworms are thick, white, and cylindrical in shape, just like a piece of string, and can grow up to a foot long. Roundworms stay and infest the small intestine of chickens, where they interfere with the normal absorption and utilization of nutrients by the bird. The effects of roundworms are noticed when a drop in egg production, stunted growth, and signs of malnutrition are observed.
Hairworms
Like the name implies, hairworms are thin, tiny, hair-like worms. They are also called nematodes. Hairworms reside and infect the crop, gizzard, and intestines of chickens; hairworms destroy the wall lining of the crop, making grinding of feeds by the crop ineffective and poor utilization and absorption of nutrients by the small intestine. Hairworms cause weight loss, diarrhea, and reduced egg production in severe infestations because the chickens are unable to utilize and digest their feeds.
Tapeworms
Probably the most dangerous of all worms, Tapeworms are flat, segmented worms that can grow up to 30 feet long. Tapeworms attach themselves to the intestinal lining of chickens, where they suck blood and destroy the intestinal linings of the birds. The action of tapeworms in the digestive tracts of poultry birds makes absorption and utilization of nutrients in the small intestine impossible. Tapeworms cause weight loss, diarrhea, and decreased egg production in chickens.
Cecal worms
Cecal worms are found in the ceca (blind pouches) of the chicken’s intestine. The ceca is where further digestion of feed takes place, and you know that when a parasite resides in such a site, the digestion becomes impossible. This is exactly what ceca worms do to the birds when infested. Cecal worms cause weight loss, decreased egg production, and even death in severe cases. Cecal worms are particularly harmful to young chicks and can stunt their growth.
Signs and Symptoms of Worm Infestation In Chicken
Weight loss: One of the most noticeable signs of a worm infestation in poultry birds is weight loss. Irrespective of the quality of chicken feeds given to the birds, infested birds will still appear thin and malnourished. This is because the worms compete with the birds for nutrients, robbing them of essential vitamins and minerals required for growth and maintenance.
Diarrhea: Aside from weight loss, diarrhea is another common symptom of worm infestations in chickens. Worms irritate the intestinal lining, leading to loose and watery droppings. In severe cases, the droppings may contain blood stains and visible worm segments or whole worms.
Drop in Egg Production: This is common in laying birds. Farmers experience a drop in daily egg production when the layers are heavily infested by worms. This is because the layers cannot acquire the required nutrients to sustain egg production due to the actions of the worms in the digestive tracts. In defence, the layers divert their energy and resources towards fighting the infestation rather than producing eggs.
Pale comb and wattle: The color of the comb and wattle is an indicator of the health of poultry birds. A healthy poultry bird has a bright red wattle and comb, however, when the birds comb and wattles appear pale, it is an indicator of worm infestations. The wattle and comb appear pale or anemic because of a low supply of blood to these parts as a result of low nutrition and a weakened immune system.
Effective Dewormers for Poultry
Piperazine: Piperazine is a dewormer every poultry farmer must have. Piperazine is effective at eliminating roundworms and cecal worms in poultry birds; it can be administered through drinking water or feed. Piperazine is relatively inexpensive and safe for use in poultry when used as directed.
Fenbendazole: Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum dewormer that is effective at getting rid of major worms affecting poultry birds; talk of roundworms, cecal worms, tapeworms, and most types of worms affecting poultry. Fenbendazole is administered through feed or as a drench. Fenbendazole is safe and well-tolerated by poultry.
Levamisole: Levamisole is another effective dewormer for getting rid of roundworms and cecal worms in poultry birds. Levamisole is administered as a drench or through drinking water. Levamisole has a narrow safety margin, so it is essential to follow dosage instructions carefully.
Ivermectin: Ivermectin is another potent dewormer that can be used to eliminate roundworms, cecal worms, mites, and other worms in poultry. Ivermectin is administered as an injection or orally through drinking water or feed. Ivermectin is highly effective but should be used with caution, as overdosing can lead to toxicity.
Fenbendazole and ivermectin are the most popular dewormers for poultry birds; they are broad-spectrum and can effectively eliminate a wide range of worms.
Deworming Schedule for Chickens
Here’s a general guideline for deworming chickens at different stages:
Chicks
Chicks are dewormed at 6 weeks of age. Do not deworm chickens below 6 weeks old. Chicks are susceptible to worm infestations from a young age. Deworming chicks when they are 6 weeks old helps them digest and utilize feeds better, thereby preventing stunted growth and other health issues.
Pullets
Pullets (young hens) are dewormed every 12 weeks until they start laying eggs. This helps ensure the pullets fully utilize the nutrients supplied through the feed and improve their gut health to reach their full potential and remain healthy during their development.
Laying Hens
Layers are dewormed every 3-4 months. Regular deworming helps layers utilize the nutrients that support egg laying maximally, as well as prevents worm infestation and ensures the egg production level is sustained during the active production period. Regular deworming helps eliminate the risk of worm infestation in the flock. Maintain egg production and prevent the spread of worms through the flock.
Broilers
Broiler chickens, raised for meat production. Most broiler chickens are not dewormed because they are usually slaughtered at 6 – 8 weeks. Proper pen sanitation is deployed to prevent worm infestation. This helps ensure a healthy weight gain and prevents contamination of the meat.
Breeders
Breeding stock, including roosters and hens used for hatching eggs, should be dewormed every 2-3 months. This helps maintain their overall health and ensures the production of healthy, fertile eggs with a high hatchability rate.
How to Properly Deworm Chickens
Proper deworming of chickens yields effective elimination of worms. Follow this step to achieve the best result after deworming your birds:
Preparation for Deworming
The goal is to ensure your birds fully utilize the dewormer, so you need to stimulate it by removing food and water from the chicken coop 6 hours before deworming to ensure the birds have an empty crop.
Weigh your chickens or estimate their weight accurately to calculate the correct dewormer dosage. Then, prepare the dewormer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, mixing it with water or feed as directed.
Administration Methods
Oral Drenching: This method involves carefully opening the chicken’s beak and administering the dewormer solution directly into the crop using a dosing gun or syringe. Be gentle and avoid choking the bird. This method allows the birds to get the right dose and fully utilize the dewormer, however, the disadvantage is that it cannot be used for larger flocks.
Medicated Feed or Water: This is the most common method of administering dewormers; the dewormer is mixed at a certain proportion or concentration into the chickens’ feed or drinking water. The mixture is then given to the birds. This method is helpful for larger flocks, but you need to monitor the intake of each bird.
Dosage
Follow the dewormer’s label instructions carefully when mixing or diluting the dewormer. Usually the dosage calculations are based on the birds’ weight or age of the bird. Underdosing can lead to ineffective treatment, while overdosing may cause toxicity. Be sure of the dosage and administer as instructed.
Post-deworming Precautions
- Provide fresh, clean water and feed after administering the dewormer.
- Remove any remaining medicated feed or water after administering the dewormer.
- Clean and disinfect the coop and surrounding areas to prevent re-infestation.
- Monitor the chickens for any adverse reactions or continued signs of worm infestation.
How To Prevent Worm Infestations In Chickens
- Implementing proper biosecurity measures, such as restricted movement, prevents the spread of worms and reduces the risk of infestation.
- Maintaining a clean and sanitary coop and run environment through regular disinfection can help reduce worm presence and contamination.
- Regularly removing and replacing bedding material, disinfecting feeders and waterers, and keeping the coop dry and well-ventilated can reduce or eliminate worm presence.
- Quarantining new birds for at least 14 days allows you to monitor their health and deworm them if necessary before integrating them with your flock.
- If you run a free-range system, rotating pasture areas is recommended to prevent the buildup of worm larvae in the soil, reducing the risk of reinfection.
The Importance of Regular Deworming of Chickens
- Regular deworming of poultry birds helps maintain proper health and increases the productivity of the flock
- Deworming ensures that poultry products are safe for human consumption and meet food safety standards.
- Regular deworming helps eliminate these parasitic worms, thus allowing the birds to absorb nutrients effectively, grow healthier, and maintain optimal productivity levels.
- By implementing a regular deworming schedule, farmers can minimize these losses and ensure better returns on their investment.
- Regular deworming helps prevent the transmission of parasites to consumers, ensuring that the poultry products are safe for consumption.
Conclusion
Deworming chickens is not a one-time solution but an ongoing process that requires vigilance and responsible management. By prioritizing the health and well-being of your flock, you can ensure a productive and sustainable poultry operation. If you have any concerns or doubts, you can reach out to us by sending an email to admin@justagric.com for professional guidance.