Unfortunately, these housing systems benefit the spread of parasitic infections with their typical faecal-oral infection route and hereby increase the prevalence of worm infections enormously. The subsequent losses constitute mainly impaired technical performances due to damage to the intestinal mucosa and competition for feed ingredients.
As a result, worm infections have a negative effect on egg production, hatchability, feed conversion rate and average daily weight gain. In some cases, poor general condition and diarrhoea is observed. Finally, a lower immune response after bacterial and viral infections or vaccination leads to animals that are more susceptible to infections. In poultry, nematodes are the most important group of worms and include Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and Capillaria spp..
Nematodes have a direct life cycle without an obligatory intermediate host. The worm eggs are rapidly and massively spread in the surroundings and can survive for many years. Shed eggs first need to embryonate in the litter or soil to become infectious. Earthworms may serve as paratenic hosts for worm eggs without further development of the infectious larvae.
Prevalence
A. galli and H. gallinarum have by far the highest prevalence rates in all housing systems. Infections with A. galli worms (large roundworm of 50-116mm) in the small intestines are associated with higher feed conversion rates and a decrease in body weight gain and egg production. Severe infections may also result in an increased mortality rate and occasionally in the migration of the parasite into the eggs of laying hens. Birds infected with H. gallinarum (small roundworm of 7-15mm) show inflammation and thickening of the caecal wall.
The main economic importance of H.gallinarum in the caeca is linked to its role as a potential carrier of Histomonas meleagridis, a protozoan parasite which includes blackhead disease. Furthermore, Salmonella spp. and viruses can also be transmitted via worm infections.
The prevalence of worm infections was examined in 48 Belgian farms in which laying hens were housed cage free (aviary systems, barns or free range). Of the 284 faecal samples that were analysed, 56% were infected with worms and 81.3% of the screened farms were found positive.
A. galli and H. gallinarum represented in total 75.2% (respectively 41.9% and 33.3%) of all work species found. Capillaria (caecal worm or hairworm) was much less present and only found in free range sites. Tapeworms, also called cestodes, like Raillietina are mainly encountered in poultry from free range or backyard flocks because their presence is closely related to the presence of obligatory intermediate hosts, such as flies, ants, beetles, earthworms or slugs. These cestodes are more present in tropical countries, where poultry is mostly reared outside.
Deworming strategy
Worms have an enormous impact on productivity. However, the prevalence and economic impact is frequently underestimated as most infections are subclinical and the current diagnostic tools have many restrictions (Table 1).
Consequently, poultry are often not treated correctly and, in turn, this results in a higher and more dramatic infection pressure. Management measures, such as good sanitation, all in all out, cleaning and disinfection and reducing contact with wild birds may help to reduce the infection pressure but are certainly not sufficient for complete and successful worm control.
Worm infections can only be monitored by a simulatenous implementation of management practices and a well-considered deworming strategy. In the case of a high infection pressure, a single random treatment will never be sufficient for adequate control. A deworming strategy should be based upon the prepatent period (the interval between the uptake of infectious eggs and re-excretion of new eggs) and therefore consecutive treatments every six weeks are advised. This strategy prevents the development of a persistently high infection pressure in the surroundings and ensures optimal animal welfare and performance.
Benzimidazoles are still the most efficacious and safe anthelmintic molecules and can be administered in feed as well as via the drinking water. In general, benzimidazoles show a low solubility profile. To overcome this handicap, Huvepharma® recently launched Gallifen® 200mg fenbendazole/ml oral nanosuspension for use in the drinking water. The unique milling technology reduces the fenbendazole crystals to the nanometer level.
Together with the applied excipients, the very small particle size contributes to a superb homogeneity in stock solutions and bulk tanks. Compared to other benzimidazole based anthelmintics for use in drinking water, this liquid formulation offers optimal ease of use, efficacy and safety.
- Ease of use: Time consuming pre-dilution steps and additional stirring is no longer needed. Easy application of a liquid formulation without any loss of product in the packaging.
- Efficacy: Homogeneity results in the correct dosing in each individual chicken.
- Safety: Sedimentation and obstruction of the filter on the tubes of the proportioners, pipelines or nipples is no longer observed. Maximal safety is ensured for breeders as well as for layers with a zero day withdrawal time for eggs.
Gallifen® Oral suspension is licensed for the treatment of the most prevalent nematodes A. galli and H. gallinarum. The administration of a total dose of 5mg fenbendazole/kg bodyweight, divided over five consecutive days (1mg/kg body weight/day), demonstrates a 100% and 99.4% reduction of adult worm counts for A. galli and H. gallinarum respectively (Figure 1).
This corresponds to 5ml/1000kg bodyweight/day for five days (25ml in total). A deworming strategy with this innovative formulation improves the health status of chickens significantly.
This article originally appeared in International Poultry Production, Volume 26 Number 6.
