Capillariasis in the domestic fowl in New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

With the increase in more intensive methods of poultry production in recent years, worms of the genus Capillaria Zeder 1800 (hairworms) have become an important factor contributing to disease in chickens and turkeys. Apart from causing death, they are also responsible for lower growth rates, decreased egg production, and decreased fertility of the flock (Platt and Schwabe, 1958; Geevaerts, 1962; Norton and Joyner, 1965; Wakelin, 1965), Unfortunately, these parasites have been relatively neglected in research and survey work. Far more interest has been devoted to the more obvious nematode parasites of poultry, such as Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum. This can, in part, be explained by the facts that Capillaria spp. are difficult to work with, they are not easily detectable and infections are difficult to establish under experimental conditions.