A Case Report: Chilomastix sp. Infection in Pen-Raised Quail

Abstract

History. At the time of the outbreak on the farm, there were approximately 25,000 quail, 1 day to 6 weeks old. Approximately 3,000 chicks were hatched weekly on the same farm. The quail were raised in many pens of various sizes and were kept on wire floors laid over 2X4-inch boards. Sloped concrete slabs were under the pens to catch the droppings. Water spillage from drinking fountains was excessive, and Musca domestica larvae were growing in great numbers. Adult flies were abundant and had access to droppings and feed. Lettuce was being fed to 3and 4-week-old birds in an effort to prevent cannibalism. Normal activity on the farm required that the caretakers enter each pen several times daily, and no attempt was made to maintain sanitation. The breeder flocks were somewhat isolated and under a different type of management program from tha;t for the chicks. At the time of first submission to the laboratory, the grower reported that mortality had reached approximately 5,000 and that the condition had started approximately 2 weeks earlier.