(_a_) When the newly hatched worm “sews” itself into the intestinal lining the area around the puncture becomes inflamed because of mechanical injury, loss of blood, and introduced infection. This localized inflammation renders that part of the intestinal lining useless for digesting and absorbing food. (_b_) The worm absorbs food from the intestinal contents which should go to the birds. (_c_) In order to protect themselves and avoid being digested, the worms give off a substance that neutralizes digestive juices. This substance becomes mixed with intestinal contents and prevents proper digestion. (_d_) Worms sometimes become so numerous that they actually clog the intestines. As many as 500 worms have been found in a single bird. (_e_) Worm-infested birds show loss of condition and general unhealthiness. Diagnosis is made by finding worms or worm eggs in droppings or by autopsy on typical specimens. (3) _Treatment._ The following drugs are only effective against mature worms and, at best, are only 80 percent efficient: 1-CC Oil of turpentine per bird. 1/2-CC Tetrachlorethylene per bird. 1/2-CC Carbon tetrachloride per bird. (4) _Prevention._ This is relatively simple and practically 100 percent effective. (_a_) Clean loft daily and provide fresh water. (_b_) If aviary does not have a wire bottom spread clean sand about 1 or 2 inches deep over its floor once every two weeks. (_c_) Replace moisture and shade by sunshine and dry conditions. _b._ Strongyles are the most dangerous of the common round worms and one of the most common causes of death among poorly kept pigeons. The “strongyle” is a very small parasite which multiplies rapidly and is a vicious blood sucker. Adult worms are from 1/2 to 3/4 inches long and about the same size as thin thread. (1) _Habits._ This worm has a “direct” cycle; that gives the key to successful control (fig. 45). [Illustration: _Figure 44. Life cycle of pigeon ascarids._ TL70213] (_a_) Adult strongyles live in the upper intestinal contents, but may be found as far up as the crop. (_b_) Strongyles are ravenous blood suckers. (_c_) Female worms deposit eggs in the intestinal contents which later pass out in the feces. (_d_) Eggs incubate in about 1 day, if conditions are favorable. (_e_) Young larvae hatch out and molt about 8 hours later. These larvae again molt in about 3 days and are then infective. Thus, about 5 days elapse from the time the eggs are voided by the bird and the time the young larval worms hatch, molt, and become infective. (_f_) The infective larvae are eaten by the pigeons. Then they pass to the intestines where they mature. (2) _Diagnosis._ (_a_) Strongyles injure the birds by lacerating the intestine and sucking blood. After the parasite moves on, the laceration still bleeds considerably before a blood clot forms. Each laceration results in an area of infection and inflammation.