Safeguard and Feather Damage While Molting

The neighbors next door moved out and left a peacock. He comes over everyday for water and I feed him. He’s in molt right now. I don’t know if he has worms. How would you know? He’s not tame at all Should I buy something to worm him?
Free ranging peas are generally not as susceptible to worms as a bird that is caged. If you want to deworm him, and it is not a bad idea if you want him to stay around, get some Safeguard for goats at the farm store and soak about three ml in small pieces of bread or soak it in some cat food and offer it to him. You might start by tossing him some of the feed for a few days to get him used to it first.
 
Yes, all feather damage has been reported when used during a molt, but many of us use it during molts and do not have problems.

Note that poultrydvm has some pretty good info, but it also has tons of misinformation, especially on its worming pages. The site was created and maintained by someone that is not a veterinarian.
 
I worm in water so have no idea about putting meds in feed. Why would hard water make a difference? We have it here and in 8 years of worming I've never had a problem. Your question about worming during molting is interesting. You might post the question direct to "Resolution" that is active at posting on backyardchickens. If you get an answer could you please share it. Back to worming.....I do pour the water with wormer in it back and forth from their water bucket to another bucket to keep it mixed well at least a couple times a day.
I found using distilled water mixes easier
 
From poultrydvm.com:

Brand Names: Panacur, Safeguard Drug Type: Anthelmintic Fenbendazole Overview Fenbendazole (brand names Panacur® and Safe-Guard®) is a benzimidazole anthelmintic used 'off label' to treat a variety of intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms, flukes, certain types of tapeworms, and Giardia) in pet poultry. Fenbendazole can be administered to each chicken orally by syringe, or added the flock’s drinking water source. Fenbendazole may not be effective against Capillaria spp. Fenbendazole is absorbed in the intestine, and is rapidly metabolized by the liver. The metabolic pathway of fenbendazole in chickens is the same as in mammals. Fenbendazole is eliminated from the body predominately by the feces. Residue levels in the eggs is highest the first day following the last day of treatment, and decline rapidly thereafter. Fenbendazole must be given for 3-5 consecutive days to kill parasites, since it needs to halt cell division for a certain duration before it is fatal to the parasite.

Caution. Fenbendazole shouldn't be given to pet poultry who are actively growing new feathers, such as those in the early stages of growth or during molting. Fenbendazole shouldn't be given to chickens with suspected Capillaria infestations. Storage/Stability: Fenbendazole should be stored at room temperature.

See more at: http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/fenbendazole
 
From poultrydvm.com:

Brand Names: Panacur, Safeguard Drug Type: Anthelmintic Fenbendazole Overview Fenbendazole (brand names Panacur® and Safe-Guard®) is a benzimidazole anthelmintic used 'off label' to treat a variety of intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms, flukes, certain types of tapeworms, and Giardia) in pet poultry. Fenbendazole can be administered to each chicken orally by syringe, or added the flock’s drinking water source. Fenbendazole may not be effective against Capillaria spp. Fenbendazole is absorbed in the intestine, and is rapidly metabolized by the liver. The metabolic pathway of fenbendazole in chickens is the same as in mammals. Fenbendazole is eliminated from the body predominately by the feces. Residue levels in the eggs is highest the first day following the last day of treatment, and decline rapidly thereafter. Fenbendazole must be given for 3-5 consecutive days to kill parasites, since it needs to halt cell division for a certain duration before it is fatal to the parasite.

Caution. Fenbendazole shouldn't be given to pet poultry who are actively growing new feathers, such as those in the early stages of growth or during molting. Fenbendazole shouldn't be given to chickens with suspected Capillaria infestations. Storage/Stability: Fenbendazole should be stored at room temperature.

See more at: http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/fenbendazole
The problem with mixing fenbendazole in water is two-fold. One it does not mix well and can adhere to the minerals in the water making it sink to the bottom of the water bowl. And two; when the suggested dose of three mills per bird is put in water the only way for the bird to get the needed dose is to drink ALL of the water and lick the bottom. This is why we only give it orally or mixed into the feed that is consumed within a short period of time. There is a more expensive type of SG that is water-soluble but it still does not address the proper dosing amounts when left in the bowl to be poured out the next day. Albendazole is water-soluble and can be used at the rate of 25ml per gallon and made fresh daily. If they do not drink a gallon per day make less volume IE 12.5 ml per half gallon.
 
Caution. Fenbendazole shouldn't be given to pet poultry who are actively growing new feathers, such as those in the early stages of growth or during molting.
This is true for all wormers in this class (albendazole, oxfendazole, etc), though many of us that use it have never seen a problem.
Fenbendazole shouldn't be given to chickens with suspected Capillaria infestations.
Capillary worms require a large dose of fenbendazole for 5 consecutive days.


Important note:
PoultyDVM is not written or maintained by a veterinarian and contains lots of dosing errors and misinformation.
 

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