CHAPTER XXII 

 WORMS INFESTING POULTRY 



320. Internal Parasites. Most of the internal parasites are 

 worms. Small numbers of worms do not do any noticeable 

 injury, but large numbers interfere with the health of the fowls 

 and sometimes cause death. ' 



321. The Gapeworm. The gapeworm, as it is taken from the 

 wind pipe of an affected bird, is about one inch long, round in 

 shape, and forked at the head end. The small worm is the 

 male and the large worm the female. 



322. Injury Done by Gapeworms. The gapeworms hold on 

 to the mucous membrane lining of the windpipe or trachea and 

 as they grow in size gradually close the opening so that it is 

 difficult for the bird to breathe. As soon as sufficient obstruc- 

 tion takes place, the bird dies for lack of oxygen (83). The 

 gapeworms also suck blood. 



323. How the Worms Multiply and Spread. The female pro- 

 duces eggs, which are scattered over the ground. Other birds 

 eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water be- 

 come infested. The worms' at this stage are very small and 

 burrow through into the windpipe, where they accumulate in 

 clusters and gradually grow as described above. 



324. How to Prevent the Spread of Gapeworms. Be sure 

 that every gapeworm is destroyed by burning. 



325. How to Treat the Affected Bird. Double a horse hair, 

 or strip all the barbs off a feather except the tip, and pass it 

 down the windpipe (trachea) as far as possible and withdraw it, 

 at the same time giving a twist as you do so. Usually the worm 

 will be brought out. 



326. Tapeworms of Chickens. There are several varieties of 

 tapeworms that infest the small intestine of the fowl. 



