Indicators of need to WORM?

Sorry, about my repeat posts, I've got a few out there right now and I'm trying to get my info straight.

I have decided that I need to worm my chickens from numerous other posts I've read lately. They will soon be two, and I've never done it. I just want to explain some of the 'symptoms' I've noticed that have led me to this decision. I'm hoping that other more knowledgeable chicken people can either confirm or dispute the need.

This is what has been going on since last summer:

1) Lackluster feathers, and feather loss, with no sign of external parasites. A couple definitely went through a molt, but most have
missing/ poor feathering in areas.
2) Pale and dry combs/wattles.
3) Egg production drop. This started mid-summer, BEFORE the shorter days of fall/winter.
4) Poor weight, from what I can tell. I have Rhode Island's and Barred Rock's, and I just feel that both of these breeds should be just
a bit 'meatier' than my girls seem to be.
5) Sporadic diarrhea and loose stools.

Are these symptoms worthy of worming? There might be other issues with feed and management that I can work on, but I want to start this Spring with a clean slate to see if things improve.

yes worm them..........and feed only a high protien layer ,untill they get back in health.....

So, the high protein layer would be more than the typical 16%. What would I look for at my feed store, I've only seen the basic layer feed? Flock Raiser, or something?

Use game bird feed 22% use wazine and then follow 10 days later by a 2nd wormer throw out the eggs for the 10 days and then for 14 days following 2nd worming. Also a couple of days after each worming give your birds some yogurt and cat food to help boost the protein. Good luck,

Not trying to over-due it, but would it be prudent to supplement with some vitamins in their water? I've heard of people doing this, but is it really necessary? I have some Poly-Visol, but I wouldn't know how much to put in their water.

As far as switching to a higher protein feed, this is what my feedstore offers:

1) Ranchway Chick Starter at 23%. The lady says they do not medicate their feed, so I won't be getting anything unnecessary.

2) They also have a Game Bird and Turkey GROWER, at 24%.

Is there one that might be preferential over the other? I thought that I had read somewhere that adult chickens should never be fed Chick Starter, as it could mess up their calcium balance. But, I'm not sure.

Quote:
18 % Would work for chicken , wazine only kills round worms......I use Safe guard for goats, 3cc per gal of water , for 3 days then repeat in 14 days. TSC sells it. You will see a big improvement in a month.

If not they could have some other problem, but try that first

Quote:
18 % Would work for chicken , wazine only kills round worms......I use Safe guard for goats, 3cc per gal of water , for 3 days then repeat in 14 days. TSC sells it. You will see a big improvement in a month.

If not they could have some other problem, but try that first

Would you have to throw out eggs with this wormer also?

Toss the eggs from any round of manufactured wormer, none of it is anything you want to eat.

The feed store sells a powdered electrolyte and vitamin mix for the water, I refer to it ad "chicken Gatorade".