The Effects of the Tapeworm Raillietina cesticillus upon Body Weight Gains of Broilers, Poults and on Egg Production

Abstract

IT HAS been reported (Harwood and Luttermoser, 1938) that rations deficient in manganese aggravate growth depressing effects of the cestode Raillietina cesticillus. Similar effects were reported (Luttermoser and Allen, 1942) in birds fed rations containing low levels of protein. Growth depression, reduced hemoglobin and blood sugar were attributed (Ackert and Case, 1938) to parasitism with this cestode in chickens fed a diet considered adequate at that time. A more recent report (Ackert and Wisseman, 1946) of an experimental infection of chickens harboring an average of 61 tapeworms stated no evidence of harmful effects of this parasite despite the fact that the average gain in the control birds was 825 g. compared with 772 by the infected animals. No significant differences in hemoglobin and blood sugar were found in the two groups.The incidence of natural infections with R. cesticillus can increase rapidly (Reid et al., 1964) when suitable intermediate hosts…