30 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 232 



CONTROL OF POULTRY PARALYSIS 



Range paralysis of poultry has occurred extensively throughout the New 

 England states and generally over the country as a whole, and has come 

 to be one of the most dreaded diseases of growing chickens throughout the 

 summer and early fall months. Its cause is still a mystery. Following 

 the clue that there is evidence of some relation between paralysis and 

 coccidiosis, E. M. Gildow has continued an investigation during the past 

 year of three special phases of this problem: first, the possibility of 

 producing typical paralysis by infecting birds with coccidiosis; second, the 

 possibility of curing or relieving paralysis in birds already showing 

 symptoms by handling them so as to completely eliminate anycoccidiain 

 the system; and third, a study of range methods to determine whether 

 preventing a heavy infestation of coccidiosis will also prevent paralysis. 



Evidence of immunity development against coccidiosis on the part of 

 birds that had recovered from paralysis was found. Out of four birds 

 given a severe dose of embryonated coccidia the only bird to survive was 

 one which had previously recovered from paralysis. Birds given a half 

 dose amounting to 2,800 embryonated coccidia survived the test, and only 

 one lost weight. Attempts to introduce "crazy chick symptoms" in 

 chicks by doses of coccidia failed, but it is believed that the number of 

 coccidia present in the suspension was not sufficient. 



Of a total of 44 paralytic birds placed in batteries during the year 

 without supplementary treatment, it is significant that 14 have recovered 

 and have started laying without showing evidence of the disease in their 

 external appearance and actions. Of the 30 pullets that died, 20 showed 

 evidence of coccidial forms in the intestinal tract, 5 showed no evidence 

 of such forms, and 5 were not autopsied. No evidence of long round 

 worms or tapeworms was detected; some few cecal worms were found in 

 most of the specimens. Two of five birds which showed no evidence of 

 coccidia were in batteries a long enough period to have eliminated the 

 coccidia that they might have harbored. 



It was found that the use of a clean range in itself is not enough to 

 prevent paralysis. Approximately 1,200 pullets were reared during the 

 year on land where chickens had not been grown before, but which was of 

 a low-lying type with some swampy areas; 37 cases of paralysis were 

 reported from this flock. On the other hand, on an old piece of land, 

 which had been used for the last four or five years for a poultry range but 

 which was of a high type, 400 pullets were grown, with only 13 cases of 

 paralysis. 



Summing up the best information obtained to date, it is believed that 

 coccidiosis in most instances in New Hampshire is closely associated with 

 paralysis. In all probabihty, there is a form of paralysis which is not 

 connected with any of the internal parasites of poultry. It is believed 

 that a program to prevent or control coccidial infection is essential, 

 including a range-rotation scheme that will insure a good heavy sod which 

 will be without bare spots. 



Tests of iodine vermicide, a preparation which has been found helpful 

 in the control of round worms and tapeworms and the resistant forms of 

 coccidia, indicate that this preparation is without value for the treatment 

 of typical paralysis. (Purnell Fund.) 



