Anthelmintics for Poultry

Desi birds of almost identical body weight and age were selected for study and reared them in natural conditions. Selected birds were grouped into 4 groups as T0,T1,T2 and T3.Each group comprises 6 layers  and 9 growers and were treated with Albendazole, Levamisole and Praziquantel+Fenbendazole in T1,T2 and T3 groups respectively. The efficacy of different drugs was assessed on the basis of percent efficacy method which was found to be Albendazole 66.66%,Levamisole 73.33% and Praziquantel+Fenbendazole 93.33% effective against both nematodes and cestodes. The efficacy of different drugs and economics of treatment was assessed on basis of egg production and body weight gain. During total 10 week period the weight gain obtained from control group bird was 282.78 g and its value in terms of rupees comes around 16.97 rupees. While the weight gain obtained in T1,T2 and T3 groups were 372.78 g ,381.67 g and 414.44 g and their market values comes out to be 22.37,22.90 and 24.87 rupees respectively. The net additional gain per bird was 5.40,5.93 and 7.90 rupees in T1,T2 and T3 groups respectively over the control group. For 90 g additional weight gain in T1 group required 0.263 rupees treatment cost per bird while for 98.89 of additional weight gain in T2 group required 0.090 rupees and for 131.66 g additional weight gain in T3 group required 0.182 rupees. Likewise total eggs obtained during 10 weeks period from control group were 28 and their value in terms of rupees comes around 49 rupees while the eggs obtained in T1,T2 and T3 groups were 53,54 and 62 eggs and their market values comes out to be 92.75,94.50 and 108.50 rupees respectively. For 25 additional egg in T1 group required 0.525 rupees treatment cost per bird while for 26 additional egg in T2 group required 0.18 rupees and for 34 additional eggs in T3 group required 0.318 rupees.

The desi birds are reared by rural farmers in their backyard without any intensive care. They are neither provided with good nutrition nor medication. In search of feed, these birds picking to the drainage channels, manure heaps etc. During this process they eats ants, arthropods, earth worms etc. along with feed gains, which are the intermediate hosts for tapeworms. This could be possible reason that desi birds have high cestode infection as compared to birds reared on intensive farm systems. The process of searching the feed by digging to soil also enhances the chances of nematode infections.

The present paper is designated to search infections and such birds are given any anthelmintic therapy could it result into substantial benefits which may boost the economy of rural farmers. With this intention the experiment was planned and results are reported.

Desi birds reared in the backyard of house by the rural farmer formed the experimental material. The birds were selected from two nearby villages i.e. Nandapur and Pingli. Preliminary survey of parasitic infection was done on the basis of faecal ping examination. Positive birds were incorporated in the study by forming four groups. Birds selected for experiment were almost identical in age and body weight.

Selected birds were reared throughout the experimental period in natural condition as like they are reared in the village levels. No special feed or any other medication was given.

Positive birds were incorporated in the study by forming four groups.   In each group 6 layers and 9 growers were included i.e. total 15 birds in each group.

Birds in different groups were marked with different color as well as they were numbered from 1, 2, 3...15; by putting number bearing aluminum tag to their legs. Also the numbers were marked on the legs of birds with the help of paint. This has taken care of such birds, which have missed their aluminum tags.

Table 1: Schedule of treatment Assessment of efficacy of drugs

*           Glaxco India Ltd. Dr. Annie Besant Road, Mumbai - 400 025.

**          Micro Labs Pvt. Ltd. 303, ''''A'''' wing 3^rd flour, Queens Corner Apartment - 3, Queen road, Bangalore - 560 001.

***        Wockardt Ltd. Wockardt Towers, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai - 400 051.

The efficacy of different treatments given was assessed on the basis of following criteria.

Based on percent efficacy method

In this efficacy was calculated by applying following formula described by Tuli and Bali (1991).

 

Based on body weight gain

Gain in body weight of each individual bird from all treated and control groups were observed at the end of every week till 10 weeks post treatment.

Based on egg production

Egg production of each individual layer bird from all treated and control groups were noted every week till 10 weeks post treatment.

Haemoglobin percentage of each individual bird was recorded at the end of 10-week post treatment.

Economics of treatment in desi birds

The economy of drugs in response to egg production and body weight gain was assessed. For this purpose dose of drug and cost required for each treatment for each bird was calculated and comparison has made between the cost required for the treatment of each individual bird and returns gained in terms of number of eggs obtained and gain in body weight.

Results and Discussion

The percent efficacy method (Tuli and Bali,1991) showed that Praziquantel + Fenbendazole drug was more efficacious (93.33%) than other two drugs viz. Albendazole (66.66%) and Levamisole (73.33 %). Tuli and Bali (1991) have shown that Albendazole was 85% effective. This disparity might be due to mode of drug administration, as in present study 1 ml drug was given at a time. While Tuli and Bali have given this in 2 divided doses. Han et al. (1982) have reported that Albendazole given @ 5-10 mg/kg body weight in feed showed 100 % efficacy against R. tetragona and R. echinobothridia. This difference might be due to the state of medicine given as in present study liquid medicine was given.

Group IV (T3) which was treated with Praziquantel + Fenbendazole (Prazisam) revealed 93.33 % efficacy. Similar reports were obtained from Tuli and Bali (1991). Vassilev et al. (1977) reported that the Praziquantel @ 10 and 20 mg/kg body wt. was 100 % effective against R. cesticillus, C. infundibulum and D. proglottina in chicken.

Group III (T2) which was treated with Levamisole HCL 30% w/w (wormin) revealed 73.33% efficacy. Kuczynska et al. (1994) reported that Levamisole HCL @ 40 mg/kg twice at weekly interval was 100 % effective against A. galli and T. tenuis and 90 % against Capillaria. This disparity might be due to the mode of drug administration, as in present study Levamisole was given in a single dose at a time. Akkaya et al. (1994) have reported that Levamose HCL 10% @ 2 g/lit in drinking water was highly effective against Capillaria spp. and A. columbae in domesticated pigeons.

All the drugs have shown a significant gain in weights as compared to control group birds. Ten week post treatment weights of birds were 282.78 g 372.78 g, 381.67 g and 414.44 g in T0, T1, T2, and T3 groups respectively (Table 2).

Among the treated groups, the drug Praziquantel + Fenbendazole was found comparatively more effective than Albendazole and Levamisole. So present study clearly indicates that there was effect of drugs in gaining body weight. Fatihu et al. (1992) have observed significant weight loss in chickens experimentally infected with 1000 ova of A.galli. Choudhury and Das (1993) have shown a significant reduction in the rate of weight gain from 2 weeks Pi with an average weekly weight gain of 16.83g in experimentally infected birds with H. gallinarum as compared with 27.38g in uninfected controls. Khan and Iqbal (1994) reported that turkeys infected with Enchinostoma sp. attained lower body weights than controls. Kuczynska (1994) have reported that treatment improved body weight in chick´s viz. 1100 g as opposed to 900 g before treatment.

The haemoglobin percentage of birds after 10 week post treatment were 9.27 g/dl, 9.67 g/dl, 9.73 g/dl and 9.83 g/dl in T0, T1, T2, and T3 groups respectively. Among the three drugs used Praziquantel + Fenbendazole has shown slightly high effect in improving the haemoglobin percentage as compared to other drugs (Table 1). Dabeer et al. (1997) have reported that chickens infected with 500 eggs of A. galli shown significant decrease in haemoglobin which reverted back to near normality after treatment.

In first 3 weeks post treatment Praziquantel + Fenbendazole treated birds have shown slightly high egg production as compared to other two treated group birds. During 4th week post treatment Levamisole has shown at par effect with Praziquantel + Fenbendazole. During 5th week post treatment, Albendazole has shown at par effect with Praziquantel + Fenbendazole. In 7th, 9th, and 10th week post treatment all treated birds have shown at par performance. In 6th and 8th week birds treated with Praziquantel + Fenbendazole has shown high performance in egg production. The total egg production recorded at the end of 10th week post treatment were as 28, 53, 54 and 62 eggs in T0, T1, T2, and T3 groups respectively(Table 1). This clearly indicated that all three drugs have shown excellent performance in enhancing egg production. Bhaskara et al. (1993) have reported that there was in egg production during heavy A. galli infection and an increase in egg production was observed after deworming.

Economics of treatment

In the present study, during a total 10 weeks period the eggs obtained from control group bird were 28 eggs and their value in terms of rupees comes around 49 rupees. While the eggs obtained in T1, T2 and T3 groups were 53, 54 and 62 eggs and their market values comes out to be 92.75, 94.50 and 108.50 rupees respectively. Now the net additional gain per bird was 43.75, 45.50 and 59.50 rupees in T1, T2 and T3 groups respectively over the control group. The cost of treatment required per bird in different groups was 0.525, 0.18 and 0.318 rupees in T1, T2 and T3 groups respectively. That means for 25 additional egg in T1 group required 0.525 rupees, for 26 additional egg in T2 group required 0.18 rupees and for 34 additional eggs in T3 group required 0.318 rupees for their respective treatments. This clearly indicates that when the negligible amount spent on treatments could yield 43.75 to 59.50 rupees extra, depending upon the choice of treatment (either T1, T2 or T3).

Present study, showed that during a total 10 weeks period the weight gain obtained from control group bird was 282.78 g and its value in terms of rupees comes around 16.97 rupees while the weight gain obtained in T1, T2 and T3 groups were 372.78g of, 381.67 g and 414.44 g and their market values comes out to be 22.37, 22.90 and 24.87 rupees respectively. The net additional gain per bird was 5.40, 5.93 and 7.90 rupees in T1, T2 and T3 groups respectively over the control group. The cost of treatment required per bird in different groups was 0.263, 0.090 and 0.182 rupees in T1, T2 and T3 groups respectively. That means for 90 g additional weight gain in T1 group required 0.263 rupees, for 98.89 of additional weight gain in T2 group required 0.090 rupees and for 131.66 g additional weight gain in T3 group required 0.182 rupees for their respective treatments. This clearly indicates that when the negligible amount spent on treatments and yield 5.40 to 7.90 rupees extra depending upon the choice of treatment (either T1, T2 or T3).

Considerations for working the Economics of treatment

Market value for each egg=1.75 rupees.
Market value for each gram live weight=0.06 rupees.

Table 2: Weekly body weight (in grams) observed in growing birds after treatment

Different superscripts in a rows (among the treatments) shows significant difference. 

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Bhaskara-Rao,T.,Hara-Ramadas,J., Ramalingeswara-Sarma, D., and Hafeez, M. (1993). Certain observations on the effect of heavy Ascaridia galli infection in poultry.Cheiron 22:4,137-139.

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Kuczynska, E., Ziomko, I. and Cencek, T. (1994). Intestional roundworm infections in broilers and hens. Medyena Weterynaryjna. 50:1,30 - 31. 

Tuli and Bali (1991). Comparative efficacy of six anthelmintics against poultry tape worms. Indian J. of Parasitology.15 : 1, 7 -10.

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