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Bertie-Merle
Songster
Great information, Lillith. I'm going to ask to talk to one of the family owners at the local feed store that's been here since the 1920's and see what regiment they suggest also, as the Texas Gulf Coast area is certainly at least subtropical and very humid and hot. I've checked for mites and lice and haven't seen any so far but definitely do not want those getting a hold on them! The info on the natural garlic and pumpkin and papaya seeds is very welcome also!It could just be something related to the food or their regular intestinal sloughing. I give my chickens tomatoes when it’s hot and I don’t notice any change in their droppings from that, though. I’m glad you haven’t noticed anything further amiss — that’s a good sign.
My understanding is that ivermectin has a disputed efficacy for worms but is good for biting insects — mites and certain kind of lice.
I wouldn’t worm monthly unless you lived in a tropical wet warm humid place and had noticeable ongoing issues with worms. My practice is to worm my flock for the common intestinal worms on the spring and autumn equinox and alternate worming products so a resistance doesn’t form. I will also worm them ad hoc if I see symptoms or evidence of worms. Some people don’t worm their chickens at all unless there is evidence it is required. It depends on your philosophy and experience.
Depending on which product you get will determine the method of administration. I’m in Australia and the most commonly available wormer for chickens is levimasole which goes in their water. I also got fenbenzadole which is a powder that mixes into their food. When my girls got tapeworm I used praziquantel cat worming tablets because it isn’t approved for chickens here.
Garlic and pumpkin seeds and papaya seeds are all good things to help chickens keep a manageable worm load too.