Gapeworms
From Omlet Club Wiki
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[edit] Introduction
Gapeworms are the most significant of the worm infestations. Infection is caused by a roundworm called Syngamus trachea and the signs of gapeworm results from a physical blockage of the windpipe by the worms. Adult worms, present in the windpipe of infected birds, produce eggs that are coughed up by the bird and are then swallowed to be passed out in the faeces. Worm larvae then develops in the eggs. When another bird picks these eggs up as it feeds that bird will then become infected
[edit] Symptoms
Signs may however vary in birds from an outstretched neck and open beak as a bird attempts to breathe, to a cough and shaking of the head, as the bird attempts to remove the windpipe obstruction. In some cases these typical signs are not present and affected birds loose condition and may die with few respiratory signs being seen.
[edit] Treatment
All birds entering pens should be wormed routinely after being in the pens for 7-10 days. This will allow them to pick up some worms prior to treatment and hopefully allows some immunity to develop. Some keepers prefer to wait until signs are present before treating the birds and if the management of the birds is good this can be a very effective way to deal with the outbreak.
