Cecal Worms

Lady of McCamley said:

Cecal worms are one of the most common worms in chickens, right behind round worms.

I agree Wazine is only effective against round worms, and the other poster was correct about Milbamycin from what I read.

Worms are ever present in chickens and their environment...which is why it is important to keep their litter clean and rotate their field as much as possible to prevent, as much as possible, worm build up in the soil.

You won't see worms unless there is an overload. It is important to prevent an overload as they can easily drain the bird's immune system and overall health, slowing laying substantially and allowing the bird to be susceptible to disease...and yes some, like cecal worms, can harbor nasty disease.

Fenbendazole is effective against a broad spectrum of worms in poultry. You would need to treat then treat again in 7 to 10 days to break the worm cycle of adults and eggs. If you use paste, it can be helpful to put it into a pocket of bread and feed each bird individually...raspberries are especially effective way of treating birds as they tend to gobble them up easily. Liquid form in the water is especially effective.

Be aware that fenbendazole is not FDA approved for laying hens in the USA (or UK). Vets can prescribe it off label, but technically, you would never be able to sell eggs from those birds, ever. If the eggs are for family use, no worries. If you sell them, you may need to consider if you desire to be within FDA approval.

Typically egg pull time is recommended at 10 to 14 days after last treatment.

Hygromycin B is FDA approved and is effective against round, cecal, and capillary worms in chickens. It is a feed based med (pellets applied to the feed). Industry offers it in continuous feed, but the company recommends feeding seasonally or monthly for 2 to 4 weeks. I have seen studies that recommend 6 weeks for cecal worms, however, I note much improvement after 2 weeks and worm 2 to 3 times a year.

Hygromycin B has no pull time for the eggs, per FDA regulation, as studies show it does not transfer to the eggs well.

If you choose Hygromycin B, you can get it too at the feed store in the form of Durvet Strike III or Rooster Booster Triple Action Multi Wormer. Rooster Booster also contains vitamins/minerals and probiotics which give the bird a nice boost as well.

In between worming, I like to support gut health and the immune system, the bird's first defense against worms, by adding Apple Cider Vinegar in the water (1 TB per gallon, raw, unfiltered, with mother, plastic containers only), and offering yogurt with pumpkin seeds and cayenne pepper and garlic. That helps the bird flush worms, but does not kill the worms so keeping clean litter is essential. That helps keep worm loads down between worming with meds, and helps reduce the need for meds.

LofMc

Click to expand...

Lady of McCamley said:

Glad it was helpful.

If you get sticker shock at the feed store...I get my Rooster Booster here: http://www.abetterchicken.com/product/50101

Durvet Strike III tends to be cheapest, but I often like to get the RB as it has those nice vitamins/minerals/probiotics too.

And don't forget Amazon...I've picked up some good deals on those wormers there.

I bet I can beat your "worst" chicken start up story...our first flock...we burned to the ground at 5 months of age when one of the newly transferred birds knocked down the flood lamp we had put in during a very cold snap as they were still transitioning to the outdoor coop.  They had just started laying. Burned the coop down to ash pit to the ground, not a stick left standing, burned the extension cord (brand new, fully rated) halfway back to the house, blew the fuse.  Nobody saw anything or heard anything during the night, burned faces of trees, but did not set off the wood pile, ours or neighbors. It must have gone up like a roman candle between midnight and 7am...all that was left was smoldering ash the next morning at 8:30 when I went out to check on the chickens. THAT was a bad start up...but here I am 6 years later with a vibrant flock about to start a breeding program.

Having chickens is like tending a garden, there is always something to do, always something to fight, always something to learn....if you enjoy it; it will be very rewarding....especially as those silly little raptors entertain you with their antics and please you with their beautiful eggs.

Wishing your flock the best.
LofMc

Click to expand...

sophiaw00 said:

I have just rescued 2 hens that were dumped in my yard. They both have cecal worms. I am trying to find a medication to treat them with. From this thread, I'm reading that if I sell the eggs I should go with this: http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/890913-sullivans-strike-iii-poultry-wormer.html or the Rooster Booster, correct? 

Click to expand...

Lady of McCamley said:

My research shows that for cecal worms you need to feed Hygromycin B for 6 continuous weeks as those are harder to rid.

Click to expand...