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Do stocking rate and a simple run management practice influence the infection of laying hens with gastrointestinal helminths?

Heckendorn, F.; Häring, D.A.; Amsler, Z. and Maurer, V. (2009) Do stocking rate and a simple run management practice influence the infection of laying hens with gastrointestinal helminths? Veterinary Parasitology, 159, pp. 60-68.

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Document available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401708005293


Summary

The aim of this experiment conducted at four sites in Switzerland was to investigate the transmission and infectivity of the two main helminth parasite species of poultry (Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum) in outdoor runs with two different stocking rates.
Additionally, the influence of a simplemanagement practice (mowing of run) on helminth transmission was studied. Three run types were created on each site: runs C served as control (stocking rate 10 m2/hen, no management), runs B corresponded to runs C but were managed (10 m2/hen, management). In runs A stocking rates were doubled compared to control runs (5 m2/hen, no management). During two subsequent layer flocks, a set of parasitological parameters (faecal egg counts (FECs), prevalence, worm burdens in hens and in tracer animals, helminth eggs in soil) as well as parameters describing the run vegetation were determined. The increased stocking rate (runs A) led to a larger proportion of bare soil and to a reduction of the average vegetation height. In runs with a lower stocking rate (B and C), the proportion of bare soil did not increase during the experimental period. Irrespective of the run type, numbers of helminth eggs in the soil decreased significantly with an increasing distance to the hen houses, while the percentage of ground coverage as well as vegetation height increased. However, across runs the correlation between the percentage of ground cover and the values of eggs per gram soil between runs was very low (r2 = 0.0007, P = 0.95) indicating a non causal relationship. Significant differences in FEC were found in flock 2 (P < 0.001): FEC of hens in managed runs Bwere 24% lower (P < 0.05) than those of the control animals. Although not significant, the corresponding prevalence was lower (-9.7%) in hens from managed runs as well. Hens from runs with a high stocking rate (A) had significantly higher FEC than hens from control runs (C). In flock 2 management (n.s.) and higher stocking rates (-62%, P < 0.05) decreased the worm burdens. Tracer animals from runs with a high stocking rate (A) had significantly higher FEC than tracers from runs B and C in two tracer series. This was not reflected in the worm burdens. Overall, the stocking rate of hens in the outdoor run seemed not to influence the transmission patterns of A. galli and H. gallinarum and repeated mowing of runs did not reduce helminth infections. Lower stocking rates, however, led to a substantial improvement of the run vegetation.
(c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Veterinärparasitologie, Endoparasitenkontrolle, Prophylaxe QLIF, Legehennen, Auslaufmanagement, Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Laying hen, Outdoor run, Management, Organic farming, QLIF, FiBL 35001
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
parasitology
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5578
English
laying hens -> layer chickens
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_12109
Subjects: Animal husbandry > Production systems > Poultry
Animal husbandry > Health and welfare
Research affiliation: Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Animal > Animal health > Parasitology
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Animal > Small ruminants
European Union > QualityLowInputFood > Subproject 4: Livestock production systems
ISSN:0304-4017
Related Links:http://www.fibl.org/de/schweiz/forschung/tierhaltung.html#c3997, http://www.elsevier.com/locate/vetpar
Deposited By: Heckendorn F, biologist MSc
ID Code:15621
Deposited On:26 Mar 2009
Last Modified:03 Aug 2021 14:00
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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