Gastrointestinal Parasites of Free-Range Chickens – A Worldwide Issue

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites with direct and/or indirect life cycles, namely Eimeria spp., Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and Capillaria spp., are responsible for the most frequent and heavy economic losses in aviculture. The current review aimed to collect information about gastrointestinal parasites affecting poultry, as well as, research studies regarding parasitic diseases in free-range chicken production. From the references used in this review, 20% highlight research studies correlating prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in free-range chickens and factors such as the production system, age and animal density, hygienic conditions and weather.Coccidiosis is responsible for the major economic losses in poultry farms. Diseases have different clinical signs and result in variable impacts on animals. Control programs include mainly vaccination, anti-coccidia and anthelminthic drugs, as well as, house cleaning and disinfection. This review concluded that coccidia and helminths are a global threat to free-range poultry production. More research in this area is necessary in order to understand the major factors influencing the prevalence of parasitic diseases in this type of poultry production. Also the search for new control strategies must be a priority, mainly using natural antiparasitic compounds and biological control approaches.

Implementation of Mini-FLOTAC in Routine Diagnosis of Coccidia and Helminth Infections in Domestic and Exotic Birds

“…Free-range poultry and captive wild birds are commonly housed in limited areas with high animal stocking and access to the environment and co-habit with other bird species and wild avifauna, consequently being exposed to a wide variety of generalist or host-specific gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, namely coccidia and helminths, which are still responsible for severe health and economic concerns in poultry farms and zoological collections worldwide [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of Gallus gallus raised in extensive system in the city of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…In these mixed infections, it was more frequently observed that more than 90% of them had nematode and cestode species together. Several authors still seek to establish a correlation between the prevalence of helminths and some climatic variables, such as temperature, humidity and precipitation (Lozano et al, 2019). The climatic conditions of the city of Viçosa (average temperature 20.6 °C and 1229mm average annual rainfall) associated with the extensive breeding system, favorably influence the maintenance of direct biological cycle parasites, as well as the ubiquitous distribution of intermediate hosts of cestodes and trematodes (Permin et al, 1999;Ruff, 1999;Silva et al, 2018;Thapa et al, 2015;Vieira et al, 2015).…”

“…Extensive poultry production systems are intended to promote the natural behavior of animals, and consumers play a considerable role in their recent preference for healthier and more natural food sources (Lozano et al, 2019). However, these systems are characterized by high levels of helminth infections, usually accompanied by reduced production performance and behavioral changes which could indicate reduced animal welfare in chickens (Tamara et al, 2019;Thapa et al, 2015).…”

“…The control of endoparasites in various species is carried out using anthelmintic drugs. However, it represents a great challenge for rearing systems, due to its limited use due to economic and environmental issues, the concern with chemical residues in animal products, as well as the development of anthelmintic resistant strains (Kaufmann et al, 2011;Lozano et al, 2019). Regional parasitological surveys are essential to determine appropriate therapies and prophylactic measures in poultry production (Kaufmann et al, 2011;Lozano et al, 2019;Tamara et al, 2019).…”

“…However, it represents a great challenge for rearing systems, due to its limited use due to economic and environmental issues, the concern with chemical residues in animal products, as well as the development of anthelmintic resistant strains (Kaufmann et al, 2011;Lozano et al, 2019). Regional parasitological surveys are essential to determine appropriate therapies and prophylactic measures in poultry production (Kaufmann et al, 2011;Lozano et al, 2019;Tamara et al, 2019). The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and intensity of gastrointestinal helminths in poultry reared in an extensive system in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in order to contribute to the search for new control strategies for the main parasitosis.…”