Roundworms found in chicken poo are Ascaris galli. They belong to the nematode class of worms. They are very large. They live in the gastrointestinal tract, sometimes latching on or burrowing in to the intestinal lining but mostly just hanging around in the gut, eating the contents of the intestine- the food that the chicken eats. The worms lay eggs that are excreted with the chicken poo. The worm eggs are then picked up and eaten by another chicken, and the roundworm’s life cycle continues.
Chickens that free range are at risk of roundworms.
Adult hens can coexist with a few roundworms in their gut, but a very bad infestation can make the chicken lose weight, become anaemic and lethargic, and possibly cause diarrhoea. Some organic measures can help - for example research has shown that ground up garlic in the chickens’ water can go some way towards preventing or controlling a build-up of worm numbers in chickens but it can’t actually cure an infestation. That requires antihelminthic medicine, such as ivermectin, levamisole, and piperazine. But I couldn’t obtain any of those during a holiday weekend, so I got a cat wormer from the pet store. But I need to be careful - medicines that are OK for mammals are not always safe for chickens. Also, beware that dropping anything down a chicken’s throat is a very risky business, likely to end up suffocating or drowning the chicken unless you’re an expert.
I find a cat wormer containing emodepside and praziquantel. Emodepside kills a wide range of nematodes including roundworms, and praziquantel kills the flatworms - trematodes (flukes) and cestodes (tapeworms), both of which can be carried by birds and transmitted by earthworms to chickens.
Please consider carefully when using any medicine off label, chickens are not mammals!
If you have to deal with a situation like this, here are a few important points to keep in mind:
Chickens that free range are at risk of catching parasites in the environment.
Always get advice from a qualified vet if at all possible. Ideally a vet who specialises in poultry, or birds, although special bird or poultry vets are rare.
Remember that chickens are not mammals. Some medicines that are good for humans and dogs and cats are very dangerous for birds. Even if the product is safe for chickens, chickens might require a different dosage, because they are smaller than most pet animals, and because birds’ physiology is different.
For more fascinating facts, hints and tips about caring for your chickens, and the sheer pleasure of chickens, subscribe to my channel: Chickens in my garden - New Zealand
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13 сен 2024
