Treatment of Intestinal Worms in Broiler

September 2018
ROSS NOTE Breeders
This article was updated from the original version written by Dr. Suzanne Young Dougherty and
Dr. James Dawe (2008).

Intestinal worms are commonly diagnosed during necropsy of pullets, cockerels and occasionally
broilers. A preventative worming program is suggested in rearing breeders to reduce the
incidence and severity of intestinal worms. Severe intestinal worm infestations can cause diarrhea,
poor absorption of nutrients, and enteritis. Clinical signs commonly seen with intestinal worm
infestations include rough feathering, retarded growth, pasty vents and pale birds. Worms can be
carriers of infectious diseases, including blackhead (Histomonas meleagridis), which has been
diagnosed more frequently in recent years. Early preventative programs are necessary for control of
intestinal worms.

Cleaning out houses and placing new litter with every flock will minimize exposure to intestinal
worms. Not only do houses containing built-up litter harbor intestinal worm eggs that could affect
the next flock, they also serve as a reservoir for darkling beetles that are associated as carriers for
worm transmission. Although preventative programs are ideal, occasionally outbreaks will occur.
Table 1 below describes the most common intestinal worms in chickens; Table 2 summarizes
treatment options.

Table 1: Common intestinal worms in chicken.

Age of
birds
Scientific when adult Intermediate Treatment
Common Name Location Description
Name worms Host Options
first
appear
Roundworm Large, thick, 1. Levamisole
(Ascarid) yellowish- hydrochloride
white 2. Piperazine
Ascaridia 3. Albendazole
Small intestine > 4 week None
galli 50-116 mm 4. Oxfendazole
long 5. Fenbendazole
500 μm- 6. Ivermectin
1.8mm wide
Tapeworm Segmented, 1. Darkling beetle
white 2. Earthworm
3. Grasshoppers
Many Small intestine > 5 week Length and 4. Housfly 1. Albendazole
width varies 5. Beetle
greatly with 6. Ant
species. 7. Stable fly
Capillaria Hair-like 1. Levamisole
worm hard to hydrochloride
Capillaria
Small intestine visualize 2. Albendazole
obsignata
(occasionally > 3 week None 3. Oxfendazole
(most
ceca) 7-18 mm long 4. Fenbendazole
common)
49-80 μm 5. Ivermectin
wide
Cecal Worm Small, white,
hard to 1. Levamisole
visualize. hydrochloride
None
Detected 2. Albendazole
Heterakis Cecal
> 6 week by their 3. Oxfendazole
gallinarum pouches (earthworm vector
movement 4. Fenbendazole
for blackhead)
in cecal 5. Ivermectin
contents.
7-15 mm long

An Aviagen Brand
 Ross Note – Treatment of Intestinal Worms in Broiler Breeders, September 2018

When administering treatment, follow all manufacturer recommended doses and consult your veterinarian for
prescriptions and withdrawal times.

Table 2: Drugs for treatment of intestinal worms via drinking water.

Active Ingredient Trade Name Susceptible Worms Problems and Drug Side Effects
1. Resistance has been associated with this drug.
Piperazine Sulfate Wazine 34% Roundworms only
2. Water soluble
1. No effect on egg production or performance when
Levamisole Roundworms, Capillaria,
Prohibit Solution used 8-16mg/lb body weight dose.
Hydrochloride cecal
2. Water soluble
Roundworms, Capillaria,
Albendazole Valbazen Suspension No reported negative effects
cecal and tapeworms
Roundworms, Capillaria,
Oxfendazole Synanthic Can settle in water lines
cecal
Roundworms, Capillaria,
Fenbendazole Safe-Guard AquaSol No reported negative effects
cecal
Roundworms, Capillaria,
Ivermectin Ivermectin 1% (10mg/ml) Can settle in water lines
cecal

HELPFUL HINTS WHEN CALCULATING DOSAGES:

1. Calculate total body weight of flock (lbs/kg)
2. Dose mg X (lb/kg in flock) = Total mg for flock
3. Be sure active ingredient and dose are in the same unit. 1 g = 1000 mg
4. Total grams needed for flock / grams active ingredient per package = # of packages for flock

CALCULATION EXAMPLE (Imperial):

1. A house with 9000, 5 lb females and 900, 5.5 lb males:
9000 (5) + 900 (5.5) = ~49,950 total lbs in flock
2. If the dose is 16 mg/lb:
49,950lbs x 16mg = 799,200mg total for house
3. To convert to grams: 799,200/1000 = 799.2 g
4. If there are 544.5g of active ingredient per packet:
799.2 g needed / 544.5 g active ingredient = ~1.5 packages for that flock

CALCULATION EXAMPLE (Metric):

1. A house with 9000, 2.2 kg females and 900, 2.5 kg males:
9000 (2.2) + 900 (2.5) = ~22,050 total kgs in flock
2. If the dose is 35 mg/kg:
22,050 kg x 35 mg = 771,750 mg total for house
3. To convert to grams: 771,750/1000 = 771.7 g
4. If there are 544.5 g of active ingredient per packet:
771.7 g needed / 544.5 g active ingredient = ~1.4 packages for that flock

REFERENCES
1. Dawe, J. and C.L. Hofacre, April 2002. With Hygromycin Gone, What are Today’s Worming Options? The
Poultry Informed Professional: Issue 60; 1-8.
2. McDougald, L.R. 2003. Internal Parasites. In: Diseases of Poultry. Y.M. Saif (ed.) 11th ed. Iowa State
University Press, Ames, IA:931-972.

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