POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 88, 7 January 1933, Page 5

POULTRY NOTES

Round ‘Worm Infestation THE PROBLEM OF CONTROL (By "New Laid.’’)

■lntensification of poultry farming practice has'sone hand in hand with the in; creasing prevalanec and importance of round worm infestation, and has made the question of control of.the.latter a very vexed one. In nature there is invariably a balance between'host and parasite which prevents the predominancy of the ope over, the other to (he material disadvantage of either. Domestication •in ; the case ot fowls, where their range is restricted to a sliiall pen or even to a house, robs them d nature’s protection by destroying this balance, and in the battle for supremacy gives the parasite a decided advantage over the ; 'host; Sdch is/the case ■ with worms. ' Worm ejrgs passed- in,-tile drup.pings of the undomestieated ■ fowl were scattered over an ex I ens it" area of country. 'Most: of.. them perished, only, a few peing picked up again in birds, where, on reaching the intestines, they, developed to maturity, produced, further cgljs, and so the cycle went on hi. a balanced manner. (Jn'pdUltry farms birds are concentrated year after year on the same piece of land,, and this means -coiicentratiqu pf worm eggs on that same area, making it increasingly difficult, for birds to escape worm intestation under sueh' conditions. Each bird in addition becomes'infested to a d;A gree far, ,in excess of its tolerance, and the,effects are recognised in terms of disease. : One of the cbinmonestpyet most tnnocuof worms found in the domestic fowl 'S the caecal worm.’ iletcrakis gallianee. Its location is in the caeca or blind pouches of the intestine, and very few birds when opened will be found free from it. Usually it does uot seriously affect the health of birds parasited, and. special treatment is seldom indicated or undertaken. iThe crop, glandular stomach and gizzard are the seats of infestation of a varied assortment of round worms. Their importance, however, is subordinate to that of Ascaridia lincata, the common round Worm of poultry which is to- be found •in the small intestines.

! Examination for Worms. i Worm infestation may be diagnosed, by the demonstration of. eggs in the droppings of affected fowls. This, of course, can only-be undertaken in a laboratory. Occasionally live round worms will be observed in the droppings. The best m; dicatiou of the presence or otherwise, or round worms is the general-condition. ol the growing stock. If on account of unthriftiness or other symptoms worms are suspected final determination can be made by killing a backward-bird and conducting an examination on the intestinal .tract In this examination a .pair of bluntpointed nail scissors will be found of great service. Free , the gut from, its attachments, and commencing at -the gizzard, open it along its entire length. .Round worm,- if present, will be found jn that portion of the intestine between the gizgard and the caeca. . ‘ . Pwlltry-farmers are strongly advised never to miss an" opportunity for opening and examining birds which die from anv cause on their farms. Even the intestines of birds killed for table purposes should be examined, for observations made from these will serve as an index to. the general state of health of the flock.

Life-history of Common Round Worm. .One-adult female member of the Asca-

riditi species of worm may product over 1(1,OIK) eggs, which are liberated luto the intestinal canal of Ihe affected bird, and ultimately voided in the droppings. Each eggs is provided with a tough resistant capsule which protects the enclosed embryo from adverse environmental count-, tiiins. Extreme cold will not kill them, but thev are very susceptible to hot, dry conditions. After the egg has been voided lip incubation period of at least seven days, but usually from ten to twenty day's, is essential before the embryo reaches the infective stage; that is, if taken into the bowels before the infective stage is reached development into an adult worm will not take place. Once the infective-stage is reached'the embryo, still protected by its shell, may survive for over three, months. Warm moist shaded aspects favour this long survival'. The embryonated eggs hatch-when taken into the digestive svstem of fowls-with the food, water or green stuff, and small larvae emerge which burrow into the mucous membrance lining of the small intestine. After about one week the larvae emerge again into the cavity of the bowel, where they’remain, and in from one to two months reach maturity.

Effect and Symptoms of Infestation,

Among poultry-farmers there is a prevalent. idea that the harbouring of a few worms- is quite a normal condition, and that no harm results therefrom. Uhat worm infestation in any degree in fowls is. a normal state of affairs cannot .bo accepted, although it is admitted that many birds which are. in a healthy condition'will be found, when opened up, to have a small number of worms present in the bowel. The point is that once a female worm reaches maturity she may give off vast numbers of eggs, which, when passed out, will accumulate on the ground arid in the houses of the run. It must be quite obvious that the eggs given off by a small number of, worms do nothing else than pave the way for a heavy infestation to follow. . One might ask: “What constitutes a heavy and a light infestation of worms, and what number may a bird harbour without the manifestation of, ill effects. The answer is difficult, as the effects of. worm infestation depend upon the age and individual susceptibility of the bird affected more than upon the actual number of worms present. Individual susceptibility is intimately bound up with natural resistance to disease; it is dependent .largely upon the state of health and nutrition of the bird. The presence of .one disease obviously predisposes to others by-lowering the natural body resistance. This is equally true wth regard to nutrition, Birds which are inadequately or improperly ted (or both) show the effects of worm infestation (i.e., ; disease) in its worst-form. Greater susceptibility to round worms is shown by birds fed on a diet deficient in vitamins. Resistance to the effects of round worm infestation increases with the advancing age of the bird. .Severe effects are seen in birds under three months old when only a few worms are Present. Between the ages of three and twelve months an increasing number of wornis are necessary to produce the same effects. Beyond this age affected birds are more important in that they act as carriers and spreaders of the parasite. The piesence of any other condition which lowers

the bird's powers of resistance will render them more. susceptible to the effects ot worm infestation. . . . .- The symptoms of worm intestation are sluggishness, unthriftiness, ruffled and dull plumage, general paleness and mie appearance, loss of body weight ana condition, retarded development and lowered resistance to disease. Occasional deaths may result. Diarrhoea, with the presence of small amounts of dark blood (not bright blood—this is more likely to be coccidiosis) may be noted. Internally, inflammation of the intestines will usually be seen. Round worms have also been credited with causing certain forms of “leg weakness." , The presence ot symptoms similar to t.ie above should be an incentive to the IH>ul-try-farnier to make an examination tor worms or submit an affected bird to a veterinary laboratory for this nurpose.

Preventive and Control Measures. There is more to be gained by prevention than by waiting for birds to become, affected, and then attempting treatment. That worm infestation is the forerunner of a number of other disease conditions, with consequent heavy culling, or even mortality, will not be denied by poultryfanners. There is only one way that a bird can become affected with round worms, and that is by having, access to and taking in worm eggs. IS orm eggs can only result from a worm-infested fowl. The basis of prevention then is sanitation. The health of the growing stock should be regarded more or less as sacred. Shade trees in fowl runs should be reduced to a minimum. Shady and bad jdrained runs provide the suitable moist conditions which favour the developmen and survival of worm eggs, whereas m the absence of moisture they are killed by exposure to direct sunlight. Houses should be well ventilated, open-fronted and facing the north-east so that as muen sunlight as possible will enter them. Houses should be thoroughly cleaned before ’our.fi buds are placed in .them. The most important factor m norm control is the regular collection and disposal of- droppings. If w’onns are present their eggs are present in the drom pings. Houses and runs must be cleaned out thoroughly at least once a week; the more often they are cleaned the more effective will be the prevention and control of those parasites. An exccUent scheme is to have that area, of the hous.e immediately under the perches completely enclosed with wire-netting.. Hit "renter proportion of the droppings are passed while the birds are on the perches and the wire-netting allows them to fall through on to the ground, but Prevents the birds having access to tnem. The periodic spraying of the house with a o per cent, solution of phenol will keep it in a sanitary condition. Water supply shpuld be arranged so that it will not become contaminated with droppings. Leaking or overflowing vessels will provide a moist area of ground which will favour the development of worm eggs. All feed, but particularly the morning mash, should be given in clean troughs. . If ±ed on bare ground contamination with worm eggs easily results. Adult stock should never be mixed or housed with or next to young birds, as adult birds are often earners of worms and may serve to infest the young ones. A sound practice, even with adult birds, is to rotate the yards a.s much as possible, and so help nature in controlling worm and insect pests. It is essential that the resistance of growing birds should be kept up. It has been definitely proved that birds on a diet deficient in vitamins show a greater susceptibility to the effects of worm infestation than when the diet is balanced. Adequate green feed, the main source of vitamins, should always be provided. Finally, it has been found that badly worm-infested pullets are unfit subjects for vaccination against fowl pox and serious results follow if such birds are vaccinated. For, this purpose it is essential for them .to be free from all disease and parasitic conditions. —W. J- Murphy, B.V.Sc., H.D.A., Government veterinary surgeon, in the “Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales."

? EGG-LAYING CONTESTS

Massey College Results Results of the 39th week of the egglaying contest at Massey College are as under:- SINGLE PENS . Section A.— W. H. Barker: No. 1, 144; No. 2. 142; No. 3. 175. E. M. Galvin; No. 1, lolx • No. 2,. 208. G. H. Cross: 133. FEcob’:' No. 1, 103; No. 2, 180; No. 3,149 . A R Watson: 226. C. Goodson: OOx. L. B. Maumsell: No. 1, 182; No. 2 106; No. 3, 182. Mrs. Stewart: No. 1, 156; N 0.2, Wo, No. 3,199 x. S. G. Batten: No. 1, 177. Mrs. Cannon: 188. Miss Mitchell: No 1. 176; No. 2, 187; No. 3. 203; No.\4, 160: No. o, ‘>o2• No 6 107. T. Bruce: No. 1. 163: No. 2, 180; No. 3, 124. A. J. Shatter: No. 1, 103- No 2, 175. H. Rushton: No. 1, 170; NO.' 2, 129; No. 3, 103; No. 1, 186. S. G. Batten: No. 2, 108; No. 3. 220 x: No. 4, 173; No. 5, 201; No. 6, 144; No. 7, 144. • Section C.—Mrs. Ileßaby: No. 1, -0a; No. 2, 160. Mrs. Youugson: 182. Larsen Bros.: No. 1,220 x; No. 2, 152; No. 3. lo< ; No. 4,249 x. I. Douthwaite: 137. B. M. Galvin; 80x. TEAM RESULTS. Section C.-F. Ecob: 210, 103, 171 x 170, 152, 182 (27)—1087. M. Macrae: 131, 17.jx, ‘>lo 124 x, 101, 168 (26)—090. M. L. Boyce: 175, 133, 177 x, 107, 160. 141 (26)—983. Mrs. Stewart; 172, 132, 145, 160 x, 124. 187 x (32) 920. I’. B. Harrison; 176, 173, 134, 84 , 149, 129 (22) —845. Section D.—Mrs. Hellaby: 164, 203, 189 x, 176 x, 150, 177 (34)—1059. W. E. Jones: 174. ,154, 178, 168 x, 144, 175 x (30)—903. McLean and Whitworth: 135, 174 x, 99x, 147 x, 176 x, 213 (28)—9-14. Larsen Bros.: 124. 153. 130 x. 130, Il6x, 94 (27)—750. W. Bish: 199, 80x, 70. 148, 176, 60’ (201—733. x signifies disqualified egg weight clause. ♦Dead bird. Taranaki Tests Results of the fortieth ’week of the Taranaki Egg-Laying Competition are as undt’white Leghorns.—Turuturu Poultry. Farm, Nd. 1, '4—183; No, 2, 6 —203; No. 3, 5—179. Barkers, Nolantown, No. 1, 5— 171; No, 2, 3 —141; No. 3, a—ls2. A. J. Cadman, No. 1, 5—218; No. 2. 6—231; No. 3, 5—202; No. 4. 5 198; No. 5, 6—205: N0.,6, 5—211. It. It. Cannon. No. 1. 6—228; No. •> 6—169; No. 3. 4—183. M. Scanlon, No. 1, 5—224; No. 2, 4—160; No. 3. 5—210. G. L. Gavlard. Nd. 1, 52-171; No. 2, 6—190: No. 3, 5— Gibbons Bros.. No. 1. 5—229; No. 2 5—204; No. 3, 5—200; J. Meuli, 5—213. T. Bruce, 6—212. G. Kent, 1—99. W. Crompton, 7—223. Brown Leghorns.—C. Goodson, No. 1, 4—133; No. 2. 5-121; No. 3, 5—124. Black Mlnorcas.—A. Hopkins, 2—173. 13. Swadling. No. 1, 4—126: No. 2. 3—149. Light Sussex.—C. Murray, I—lbo. R. K. Cannon, 0—146. , Black Orpliigtons.—D. M. Waddel, No. 1, 6— No. 2, 5 —152; No. 3, 6—208. F._A. Warren. No. 1, (B.) 0—167; No. 2, 4—157; No. 3. 6—177. V. L. Gane, No. 1, (B.) 0— 153: No. 2, (13.) 0—149; No. 3, 4—107. S. Paterson, No. 2, 0—185; No. 3, 6—229. 1 .arsen Bros., No. 1, 3—156; No. 2,4 —l 80. G. L Gaylard. 6—163. 11. J. Youugson, 5 —220.' W. Wordsworth, 6—193. D. Swadling. 5—151. T. King. 6—170. Rhode Island Red.—l. W. Carrick. No. 1, 5—216; No. 2, 5-179; No. 3. '4—163. Ducks; Fawn Indian Runners.—F. A. Warren, No. 1, 7 —124; No. 2, 7—190; No. 3, I—lo 7. T. Dowtbwaltc, No. 1, 7 — 150; No. 2, 8—142; No. 3, 7—157. V. L. Gane. 6—177. < .. White Runners. —J. O. Law, 2—91. S. Beauchamp, I—lßß. T. Dowth waite, 0— 13°- , Khaki Campbell.—C. C. Cleaver, 7—17,>. Peking.—ll. A. Lucas. No. 1, 1 —147; No. 2, 2—117. /ntv r.i i.i i t> T'i fP A Ifd

T. Dowthwaite. FJ.K. .. i a ‘ -- W.L.. While Leghorns: ILL.. Brown Leghorns; 8.0., Black Orpingtons; R.T.R., Rhode Island Red: E.1.R.. Fawn Indian Runner ducks; •signifies bird dead; n., broody. •

THREE-BIRD TEAMS. Licht Breeds. Tl. to date 1 2 Weekly 3 total Tiiruturu P. Farm, W.L. 1 fl 5 15 565 Barkers, Nolantown, W.L. 5 3 5 13 464 A. J. Cadman, No. 1, W.L. 5 fi 5 16 651 A. j. Cadman, No. 2. W.L. 5 fi 5 .16 614 It. It. Cannon, W.L. .. 6 6 4 16 580 M. Scanlon, W.L 5 4 5 14 594 G. L. Gaylard, W.L. .. 5 6 5 16 537 Gibbon Bros., W.L. .. 5 o 5 15 633 C. Goodson, B. L. .... I 3 5 14 3 1 8 Heavy Breeds. D. M. Waddell, B.O. .. 6 5 6 17 5G5 £'. A. Warren, B.O. .... 0 i n 10 501 V. L. Gone. B.O. .... 0 0 4 4 459 S. Palerson, B.O. ..... * 0 6 6 428 Larsen Bros.. B.O 3 7 4 14 607 J. W. Carrick. R.I.R. .. 5 5 4 14 o58 Ducks. F. A. Warren, F.l.lt. .. 7 7 1 15 421 fP 1 st-f h m* Li i t C> li’ I . I? 7 a a *>o 449