Hairworms are intestinal parasites which can cause your chickens to become ill and will spread through your entire flock if left unchecked.
Hairworm appearance
In the esophagus, the crop or the upper part of the fowl's small intestine.
Symptoms
Slow growth
Pale comb and wattles
Ruffled feathers
Diarrhea
Less egg production
Treatment for hair worms in poultry:
There are many types of pharmacutical and over the counter medications used for hair worms which work quite well. Make sure you read and follow the package instructions.
"To prevent or at least reduce Capillaria infections it is recommended to keep the birds' bedding as dry as possible and to frequently change it, because development of the worms' eggs needs humidity. Strict hygiene of feeders and drinkers are a must to avoid or reduce their contamination with eggs. Pasture rotation is also recommended. For birds kept outdoors it is advisable to restrict their access to humid environments where earthworms are usually more abundant. All these measures are especially important for young birds, which are likely to suffer more from Capillaria infections" (Parasitepedia.net).
Types of hair worms which infest poultry are:
Hairworm appearance
- 1-2 cm long
- Thin and hair-like
In the esophagus, the crop or the upper part of the fowl's small intestine.
Symptoms
Slow growth
- Weight loss
Pale comb and wattles
Ruffled feathers
Diarrhea
Less egg production
Treatment for hair worms in poultry:
There are many types of pharmacutical and over the counter medications used for hair worms which work quite well. Make sure you read and follow the package instructions.
"To prevent or at least reduce Capillaria infections it is recommended to keep the birds' bedding as dry as possible and to frequently change it, because development of the worms' eggs needs humidity. Strict hygiene of feeders and drinkers are a must to avoid or reduce their contamination with eggs. Pasture rotation is also recommended. For birds kept outdoors it is advisable to restrict their access to humid environments where earthworms are usually more abundant. All these measures are especially important for young birds, which are likely to suffer more from Capillaria infections" (Parasitepedia.net).
Types of hair worms which infest poultry are:
- "Capillaria annulata = Eucoleus annulatus, found mainly in chicken, turkey and wild gallinaceans in Europe, America and Asia.
- Capillaria bursata = Aonchotheca bursata, found mainly in chicken, turkey, pheasants in Europe and America.
- Capillaria contorta = Eucoleus contortus, found mainly in ducks, geese, nut also in chicken, turkey and many wild birds, worldwide.
- Capillaria caudinflata = Aonchotheca caudinflata, found mainly in chicken, turkey, geese, pigeons and many wild birds in Europe, Asia and America.
- Capillaria obsignata, found mainly in chicken, turkey, geese, pigeons and many wild birds, worldwide.
- Capillaria anatis = Capillaria retusa, found mainly in ducks, geese, but also chicken and turkey, worldwide" (Poultrypedia.net).
References:
1. Vrijer, Monica de. http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/06e05a10.pdf
2. Capillaria. Parasitepedia.net Retrieved on July 12, 2017.http://parasitipedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2649&Itemid=2938
3. Worm parasites in poultry. Queensland government..(Aug. 27, 2012). http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/animal-industries/poultry/diseases-and-disorders/worm-parasites
1. Vrijer, Monica de. http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/06e05a10.pdf
2. Capillaria. Parasitepedia.net Retrieved on July 12, 2017.http://parasitipedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2649&Itemid=2938
3. Worm parasites in poultry. Queensland government..(Aug. 27, 2012). http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/animal-industries/poultry/diseases-and-disorders/worm-parasites