INTERNAL PARASITES 65 



Symptoms of Infestation.— Wild as well as tame 

 birds (chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridges, 

 pea-fowl, magpies, black storks, starlings, crows, 

 parrots, swifts, woodpeckers and martins all have 

 been reported as having become infested) are 

 susceptible to gapeworm infestation. 



The poultryman's trouble is usually with young 

 chicks and turkeys. The small, immature gape- 

 worms or eggs containing the embryos find their 

 way to the intestinal tract of the young bird as 

 described above, and from the intestine they mi- 

 grate to the trachea (wind pipe) and its branches 

 and attach themselves, where, by growing in size, 

 they gradually obstruct the passage of air to the 

 lungs. As a result, the bird finds breathing dif- 

 ficult and after a while gasps for breath, extending 

 its head high into the air, finally becoming as- 

 phyxiated. Usually a lump may be found by 

 feeling along the trachea, if the worms be lodged 

 in that part of the trachea, which is palpable. 

 A definite diagnosis may always be made upon 

 autopsy by the presence or absence of the worms 

 in the trachea, where, if present, they will be found 

 in pairs attached to the mucous membrane. 



Prevention.— Hatch the eggs in an incubator. Do 

 not allow the chicks to run out in wet grass, where 

 they may find earth worms or contaminated water. 

 Feed only in containers which are constructed for 

 the purpose and kept clean. 



Treatment. — By grasping the bird in the left 

 hand and forcing its mouth open a doubled horse 

 hair may be run down the trachea and by twisting 

 and again withdrawing, the worms may usually 

 be dislodged. Gentle pressure over the region of 

 the mass may so injure the worms as to cause 

 them to loosen their hold and be expelled by the 



