Prevalence and burden of helminths in laying hens kept in free range systems

Transcription

1 Prevalence and burden of helminths in laying hens kept in free range systems F. Kaufmann and M. Gauly Department of Animal Science, University of Goettingen

2 Introduction

3 Development of laying hen husbandry systems in Germany (%) % 100 cage deep litter free range small group 80 85,4 80,8 73,2 66, , ,6 9,4 6,8 7,8 9, ,7 15, ,5 ZMP, 2008

4 Problems Flock size Cannibalism Contact with litter and faeces Increased risk of infections for various pathogens Exposure to unfavorable climatic conditions Difficult flock and animal control

5 Consequences on health, vitality and behaviour Increased: - bacterial, viral and parasitic infections - maladaptive behaviour: featherpecking cannibalism Mortality (Permin et al., 1999; Inrungu et al., 2004; Gauly et al., 2007; Fossum et al., 2009)

6 Consequences on health, vitality and behaviour Increased: - bacterial, viral and parasitic infections - maladaptive behaviour: featherpecking cannibalism Mortality (Permin et al., 1999; Inrungu et al., 2004; Gauly et al., 2007; Fossum et al., 2009)

7 Economy Hygiene Consumer Animal welfare

8 Objective Estimate the importance of parasitic diseases in free range systems development of preventive strategies Estimate prevalence and burden of helminths in free range layers in Germany

9 Animals, Materials and Methods

10 Animals 144 laying hens: Lohmann Brown (n = 39) ISA Brown (n = 49) Tetra Brown (n = 45) Bovans Black (n = 6) Lohmann Tradition (n = 5) 11 free range farms (Ø 13 hens per farm, randomly collected) Collected at different times of laying period

11 Parasitological examinations According to W.A.A.V.P (Yazwinski et al., 2003) Trachea Esophagus Proventriculus Ventriculus Small intestine Caecal tubes

12 Statistical analyses Prevalence...(p %) = n / N Mean worm burden (WB ± SD) Genotype differences were calculated using generel linear model with effect of breed within farm

13 Results

14 Species found Nematodes: - Ascaridia galli - Heterakis gallinarum - Capillaria spp. - Acuaria hamulosa Cestodes - Raillietina cesticillus - Hymenolepis cantaniana - Choanotaenia infundibulum

15 Prevalence (%) of infections with adult nematodes in 144 laying hens Prevalence (%) , ,1 1,4 92,4 Ascaridia galli Heterakis gallinarum Capillaria spp. Acuaria hamulosa Total

16 Mean worm burden of infections with adult nematodes in 144 laying hens ,7 Mean worm burden ,6 45,7 1 Ascaridia galli Heterakis gallinarum Capillaria spp. Acuaria hamulosa Total

17 Prevalence (%) of infections with cestodes in 144 laying hens ,3 25,7 Prevalence (%) ,1 2,8 0 Raillietina cesticillus Hymenolepis cantaniana Choanotaenia infundib ulum Total

18 Mean worm burden of infections with cestodes in 144 laying hens Mean worm burden ,3 11,3 26,8 42,9 Raillietina cesticillus Hymenolepis cantaniana Choanotaenia infundib ulum Total

19 Genotype differences 250 a Total mean worm burden b b 0 a; b p < TETRA ISA LB

20 Conclusion Broad spectrum of helminths were found High prevalences majority of hens are subclinically infected Economic losses! Genetic differences (no. of animals low) parasite resistance as breeding aim for the future!?

21 Thank you for your attention!