ABSTRACT
Flukes are rarely a problem in poultry, owing to the complicated life cycles involving a snail or other mollusc, and sometimes an insect or other invertebrate. The oviduct fluke of chickens (Prosthogonimus macrorchis) is known mostly from Asia, and infects chickens with access to streams harbouring snails. An adult fluke worm lays eggs in the oviduct of chickens, which may fall into water and hatch. The larvae infect snails and develop into another larval form, which is released into the water. These larvae may be consumed directly by another bird, or may encyst on vegetation and be eaten by a bird, completing the life cycle. Infection also may result when a bird eats a snail.
