PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 141 

 INTERNAL PARASITES. 



GAPE-WOBMS 



When little chickens stand about and frequently 

 gasp for breath there is usually some trouble in the 

 wind-pipe or lungs. 



Gaping is occasionally a sign of bronchitis, but far 

 more frequently it is due to the presence of reddish 

 worms, which lodge in the wind-pipe. These parasites 

 attach themselves to the inner lining of the trachea, suck 

 blood from the tissues and cause inflammation of the 

 mucous membrane. 



In the case of the gape-worm both sexes are connec- 

 ted so that they appear as one worm. The mature female 

 is about one-half inch long, the male one-fifth inch in 

 length. The male is attached to the female at about the 

 distance of his own length from one end of the female 

 so that the combination presents a forked appearance. 



When a number of these worms get into the wind- 

 pipe and become filled with blood the breathing is diffi- 

 cult and gaping is a natural result. 



Weak chicks often succumb to the attacks of these 

 parasites. Strong chicks may overcome the disorder. 



This trouble is particularly prevalent in spring time 

 in warm climates. The chicks appear to get the worms 

 or the eggs that produce them from the ground after the 

 season of frozen ground and frosts is passed. 



Gape-worms have been reported to have been found 

 in earth-worms. 



If these parasites are present on the premises the 

 land should be deeply plowed or the chickens raised on 

 new ground not infested with gape-worms. 



Actual cases of chicks afflicted with gape- worms 

 may, if the birds are strong, be treated with lime dust 

 The chicks are placed in a box, over which burlap or 

 cheese cloth is fastened. Fine, dry, air-slaked lime is 

 sprinkled upon the cloth and the chicks breathe the dust. 

 The gape-worms loosen their hold in the wind-pipe and 

 the hope of relief then depends upon the success of the 



