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Gapeworm is a parasitic worm that poses a serious threat to birds, especially chickens, by targeting their respiratory system. These worms lodge themselves in the airways, leading to severe breathing difficulties that can become life-threatening if left untreated. As gapeworms grow, they can obstruct the air passages, making it increasingly difficult for the affected birds to breathe.
Chickens infested with gapeworm often display symptoms such as head shaking, gasping, coughing, rattling breaths, and visible distress during breathing. In more advanced cases, the worms may even become visible in the chicken’s throat.
These parasites settle in the trachea and can migrate toward the lungs, causing respiratory problems that manifest through coughing, sneezing, and gaping. Additionally, a worm infestation can significantly reduce a chicken’s egg-laying capacity.
Here’s a guide on recognizing gapeworms and the effective treatments available that can rid your chickens of these parasites and help restore their health.
What Are the Symptoms of Gapeworm in Chickens?
Gapeworms are a common parasite that can severely affect your chickens, and there are specific symptoms you can look for to detect their presence. Chickens infected with worms like gapeworms often exhibit a range of symptoms, including rapid weight loss, bloody diarrhea, pale combs, lethargy, puffing up while sitting, and a decrease in egg production.
These symptoms indicate that the chickens are battling a worm infestation, and such birds should not be consumed. To prevent the spread of disease, infected chickens should be culled immediately.
How Do You Know If Your Chicken Has Gapeworm?
f your chicken has gapeworms or other types of worms, you’ll notice a decline in its activity levels. Chickens infected with worms often become pale, stop laying eggs, lose weight quickly, and may develop diarrhea. Additionally, infected chickens might puff up while sitting, and in the case of gapeworms, they will struggle to breathe, often stretching their necks and opening their mouths to gasp for air. This is because the worms block the trachea, making it difficult for the bird to breathe.
Gapeworms enter a chicken’s system when the bird consumes larvae that eventually mature and attach to the trachea, obstructing airflow. The symptoms described are strong indicators of a worm infestation, signaling that your chickens are unwell. If you notice these signs, it’s crucial to consult a veterinarian immediately.
How Long Can A Chicken Live With Gapeworm?
Chickens infected with gapeworms have a significantly shortened lifespan, typically surviving only 17 to 20 days after infection. These chickens will frequently stretch their necks and open their mouths as they gasp for air, a direct result of the worms obstructing their trachea.
Gapeworms infect chickens through larvae that develop into mature worms inside the trachea. These worms consume the chicken’s blood and eggs while living inside the bird’s respiratory tract, causing severe breathing difficulties.
Given the rapid decline in health caused by gapeworms, it’s advisable to humanely euthanize affected birds to prevent the spread of the infection and avoid consuming unhealthy meat.
How to Treat Gapeworms?
Gapeworm is among the most common and problematic illnesses of chickens. If your chicken is suffering from gapeworms, it’s important to seek veterinary advice for appropriate treatment. To effectively combat gapeworms, medications like Aviverm or Flubenol, which contain Levamisole, are recommended as they specifically target and kill adult gapeworms.
It’s worth noting that products containing Ivermectin are not effective against adult gapeworms, as these worms are resistant to Ivermectin-based treatments.
If the worms are significantly large, caution is needed as the treatment could cause further blockage in the breathing passages. It’s crucial to consult a vet immediately and isolate the infected chickens to prevent the spread of the parasite.
If you observe any symptoms of gapeworm, it’s vital to separate the infected birds right away. For more detailed guidance, consult your veterinarian or look for additional resources online to ensure you’re taking the best care of your flock.
