Another way for Peafowl to get Blackhead

[casportpony]

Source: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/artic...d-organic-poultry-blackhead-in-turkeys-part-1

• Ingestion of soil or earthworms containing eggs of the caecal worm Heterakis gallinarum, infected with H. meleagridis
• Uptake of H. meleagridis directly into the lower digestive tract through the process of 'cloacal drinking'
• Oral ingestion of live H. meleagridis protozoa when stomach is not acidic enough to kill the pathogen.

"Cloacal drinking is the reflexive intake of fluids through the cloaca in order to inoculate the young bird’s immune system with the microbial fl ora of the surrounding environment."


More:
http://www.aaapjournals.info/doi/abs/10.1637/7420-081005R.1?journalCode=avdi

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Another link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/62159343/1/By#page=73

-Kathy

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Thank you!
You kinda have to wonder how we have any chance of keeping our birds healthy, don't you? Goodness knows I worry about mine enough!

 

[casportpony]

Thank you!
You kinda have to wonder how we have any chance of keeping our birds healthy, don't you? Goodness knows I worry about mine enough!

I'm worn out from looking after them and worrying, lol.

Those that hatch in incubators don't need to worry about "cloacal driniking", but those of us that also use broody hens to hatch sure do. This year all of my broodies were wormed and treated with metronidazole before their eggs hatched, so hopefully I'm okay.

-Kathy

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Sounds like a good idea. Once I start mine moving to here I will be more diligent in deworming them. They have been in their same pens at their old home for many years and though they get dewormed, it is only twice a year.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I wonder if they can still get it if they are in their own pen and away from ALL other birds?

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I am pretty sure it has to be from the soil, so a wash from rainfall could spread it.