Analysis of Anti-Ascaridia Galli Antibody Levels in Egg Yolk to Detect Parasite Infection in Commercial Laying Hens

In recent years, in response to consumer concerns regarding welfare of birds, there has been a move from caged to free-range production systems. This change has resulted in increased exposure of hens to pathogens including parasites, which can compromise the welfare of the animal (Wongrak et al., 2015). Amongst helminths, Ascaridia galli is the most abundant nematode in poultry, and can cause significant economic losses and negative impacts on bird health and welfare (Daş et al., 2010). Early detection of A. galli infection is important to allow effective treatment to be administered before irreparable damage occurs to the hosts' intestines.