Gapeworms also called Syngamus trachea are red worms which appear forked and can be between 1 1/4-1 1/2 inches long. Gapeworms lodge themselves in the chickens trachea which causes respiratory problems, inflammation, and death. See causes, prevention and treatments below.
Gapeworm in Chickens. Symptoms & Treatments.
Causes of Gapeworm in chickens. The main reasons chickens get gape worm is by ingesting Gapeworm larvae from snails, slugs, earthworms, contaminated feed, water, or being exposed to contaminated litter. Wild birds often carry Gapeworm and the larvae are shed in the birds feces. Keeping chickens in protected, covered coops and runs where wild birds cannot fly over and drop contaminated feces into the area where chickens are kept and eliminates the chances of wild birds accessing the chickens feed or water. Covered protected runs will aid in the prevention of Gapeworm. Once the Gapeworm reaches the trachea of chickens they will reproduce, lay eggs, and feed off the blood of the bird. The feces from infected birds will infect other flock members. It can take 17 to 20 days before seeing symptoms of Gapeworm after the bird has ingested the larvae. Most birds who have contracted Gapeworm and if left untreated will die from suffocation because their airways are blocked more and more as the Gapeworm reproduces (Poultry DVM, 2). See symptoms and treatments below.
Symptoms of Gapeworms are:
Many studies suggest that deworming, separating chickens by age grouping, proper sanitation of bedding, housing, and birds can reduce the chances of an outbreak ( R.D. Jacobs, J.A. Hogsette, and G.D. Butcher).
"Treatments for Gapeworm:
Symptoms of Gapeworms are:
- Eating less or not at all.
- Respiratory distress (hard time breathing, gasping for air).
- Inflammation of the trachea
- Ulceration (sores)
- Mucus accumulation inside trachea and on nostrils
- Making a grunting sound
- Coughing
- Head shaking
- Chickens will often stretch their neck out and appear to be gasping for air because the Gapeworm is blocking their air flow.
Many studies suggest that deworming, separating chickens by age grouping, proper sanitation of bedding, housing, and birds can reduce the chances of an outbreak ( R.D. Jacobs, J.A. Hogsette, and G.D. Butcher).
"Treatments for Gapeworm:
- Albendazole-Administered orally, ¼ cc (mL) per bantam, ½ cc (mL) per large breed. Repeated in 2 weeks.
- Fenbendazole (liquid)-3 cc (mL)/gal in water for 3 days. Repeat in 3 weeks.
- Fenbendazole (paste)-Pea-size dose/bird, administered orally. Repeat in 10 days and again in 3 weeks.
- Fenbendazole (powder)-1 oz dissolved in 1 cup (240 mL) of water, mixed with 15-20 lb (3-4 g/kg feed) for 1 day
- Ivermectin (drench or injectable)-Administered orally - 1/4 cc (mL) per large breed chicken, 6-7 drops (0.1 cc) per bantam. Administered in drinking water - 4 cc (mL)/gal of water, for 2 days.
- Levamisole (drench)-Administered orally - 1/4 cc (mL)/lb body weight. Administered in drinking water - 10 cc (mL)/gal for 1 day. Repeat in 7 days, and repeat again in 7 days.
- Levamisole (injectable)-Injected under the skin, 1/4 cc (mL)/s lb body weight (25 mg/kg)" (G. Damerow, Poutry DVM).
References:
- (2019). Dvs.gov.my. Retrieved 28 June 2019, from http://www.dvs.gov.my/dvs/resources/user_15/mjvr%20v5.1/MJVR-V5N1-p35-p42.pdf
- LLC, A. (2019). Gapeworm Infection in Chickens. PoultryDVM. Retrieved 28 June 2019, from http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/gapeworms
- Jacobs, J. Hogsette, G. Butcher Nematode Parasites of Poultry (and where to find them) . University of Florida IFAS Extension (2012)
- Gary D. Butcher and Michael A. Davis Intestinal and Tracheal Parasites of Poultry. University of Florida IFAS Extension (2012)
