How to recognise and control internal parasites

Victoria Roberts BVSc MRCVS says you need to take action to avoid ill health and even fatalities

- 

Being a prey species, chickens are dab hands at hiding any symptoms of ill health. Not coming out of the hut for breakfast is a good indicator that something is up, plus if one of the flock is being extra-bullied and not thriving. Weight loss can only be discovered if birds are handled as their feathers obscure their outline, start by handling them at roost is easiest. Internal parasites cannot usually be seen in their poo with the naked eye, but if poo samples are examined with your vet’s microscope, the eggs of the parasites are distinctive.

TYPES OF WORMS (ENDOPARASITES, HELMINTHS)

Gapeworm: live in the trachea, symptoms are snicking or gasping with throat extended.

Capillaria: (hair worm, very thin and small) live in the intestine, causing ill thrift and quickly fatal.

Heterakis: (larger, longer) live in the blind-ended caeca, a vector for Histomonas (causes Blackhead in turkeys).