Abstract
Simple SummaryAs biosecurity is generally low in backyard chicken flocks, infections with various pathogens are common. This puts other poultry nearby, including commercial flocks, at risk. Some chicken pathogens can also infect humans and cause disease. In this study, backyard poultry flocks were tested for parasites. Eighty-four fecal samples, 82 from chickens and two from turkeys, from 64 backyard flocks throughout the state of Alabama were collected in the summers of 2017 and 2018. The most frequently observed parasites were coccidia, unicellular parasites capable of causing diarrhea. Eggs of various roundworms were observed in 20.3–26.6% of the flocks. These parasites were usually present in low numbers only. Other detected parasites were the flagellates Histomonas meleagridis and Tetratrichomonas gallinarum in 4.7% and 18.8% of flocks. Both can cause severe disease in poultry. Detected parasites that can cause disease in humans were Cryptosporidium spp. in 18.8% of the flocks and Blastocystis spp. in 87.5% of the flocks. The results will help to provide information that can be used to design outreach programs to improve the health and wellbeing of birds in backyard flocks.Keeping chickens as backyard pets has become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years. However, biosecurity is generally low in backyard flocks. As a consequence, they can serve as reservoirs for various pathogens that pose a risk for commercial poultry or human health. Eighty-four fecal samples, 82 from chickens and two from turkeys, from 64 backyard flocks throughout the state of Alabama were collected in the summers of 2017 and 2018. Coccidia oocysts were seen in 64.1% of flocks with oocyst counts in most samples below 10,000 oocysts per gram. Eggs of Ascaridia spp. or Heterakis gallinarum were observed in 20.3% of the flocks, and eggs of Capillaria spp. in 26.6% of the flocks. Egg counts were low, rarely exceeding 1000 eggs per gram. DNA extracted directly from fecal samples was investigated by PCR for other relevant parasites. The results showed that 4.7% of flocks were positive for Histomonas meleagridis, 18.8% of flocks for Tetratrichomonas gallinarum, 18.8% of flocks for Cryptosporidium spp. and 87.5% of flocks for Blastocystis spp. The results will help to provide information that can be used to design outreach programs to improve health and wellbeing of birds in backyard flocks.
Highlights
Over the past two decades, there has been an apparent increase in backyard flocks in the United States [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Zoonotic avian diseases such as salmonellosis are a risk for small flock owners, either by direct contact with backyard poultry flocks or by consumption of contaminated meat or eggs [10,11]
Ascaridia spp. or H. gallinarum eggs were detected in 13 flocks (20.3%) and samples (19.0%), while Capillaria spp. were present in flocks (26.6%) and 22 samples (26.2%)
Summary
Over the past two decades, there has been an apparent increase in backyard flocks in the United States [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Regardless of the location, many of these small flock owners tend to lack knowledge of proper biosecurity measures, e.g., wearing designated clothes/shoes, not allowing guests to interact with the chickens. They are not aware of the risks associated with exposing their flock to wild birds and rodents [3,8,9]. Low biosecurity in backyard flocks may be an issue for commercial poultry flocks as backyard flocks can become a reservoir for pathogens [12] This is especially relevant in a state like Alabama, which ranks second in broiler production in the United States [13]
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