Organic laying poultry farming needs better worm control. The aim of the INTEGRIWORM project is the integrated control of worm infections. The sector has an important challenge: the legislation EU 2018/848 (amended in 2022) introduces an extended withdrawal period for deworming agents, among others. While reduction of the use of these chemical agents fits into the vision of organic production, the knowledge and tools to produce the organic eggs with laying hens that have no or little worm infestation are currently lacking. The organic laying hen industry is already under pressure from rising commodity prices, stagnant sales prices of organic eggs and decreased demand for organic products. 

We arrive at the intended integrated approach against worm infections in laying hens through several logical work packages: We identify good indicators to track worm infection pressure. We optimize a monitoring system for worm infection pressure, production parameters, animal health (e.g., welfare, intestinal health, other bacterial and/or parasitic infections) and the relationship between these different indicators, under controlled conditions. We substantiate the importance of cleaning and disinfection during empty barn and outdoor runs, focusing on methods to reduce worm egg counts and/or infection rates. We identify risk factors during rearing, transport and housing of laying hens, and look for ways to minimize them. We create an informed decision tree for applying anthelmintics. 

Worm infections, if not suppressed or prevented, are capable of jeopardizing the further growth of the organic laying poultry industry. It is very relevant to come up with a clear integrated approach at the demand of the producers themselves.