Effect of different contents of proteins and vitamin B2 in the feed on the prevalence and infection intensity of Ascaridia galli in chickens

A group of 10-day-old chickens was experimentally infected with a dose of 500 infective eggs of Ascaridia galli (Schrank, 1788) (Nematoda). Forty-nine days post infection the chickens were necropsied and the infection intensily and prevalence were determined. The group maintained on the feed containing 11% of protein showed higher infection intensity and prevalence compared to the chickens fed a diet containing 19% of protein. The addition of vitamin B₂ to the feed containing 11% protein resulted in lower intensity and prevalence of the infection. In both series of experiments no effect of Zn-bacitracin or vitamin B₂ on infection intensity or prevalence was observed for chickens fed feed containing 19% of protein.