How do you know when to worm your chickens?

[BryanH]

I'm not sure I was buying some DE at feed store and it looked just like the laying pellet feed but in a small blue bag with yellow writing. I will see if I can find picture and post it

 

[BryanH]

It's like this

 

[aart]

Deworming feed??? What's that? Mary

It's like this

http://www.drugs.com/vet/strike-iii-poultry-dewormer.html
I've read some good things about Hygromycin B ....mainly because there is no egg withdrawal I think.
I think it's meant to be used continuously in the feed, but vaguely recall a periodic treatment dosage that someone figured out.

 

[aart]

@azygous did you ever worm your birds.....or did you find the abnormal feces to be of another cause.

 

[BryanH]

I'm going to pick some up. I just like to keep them healthy

 

[aart]

I'm going to pick some up. I just like to keep them healthy

I don't medicate unless I know it's absolutely necessary and know exactly what needs treating with what chemical.
Preventative application of chemicals can create resistance, rendering the medication ineffective.
Some folks living in southern regions of the US find it necessary to do regular medicating because of lack of a killing cold season.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm also not convinced that daily low dose products are the best plan; I'd rather worm when needed also. Mary

 

[BryanH]

I don't medicate unless I know it's absolutely necessary and know exactly what needs treating with what chemical.
Preventative application of chemicals can create resistance, rendering the medication ineffective. 
Some folks living in southern regions of the US find it necessary to do regular medicating because of lack of a killing cold season.

. Sounds like a good idea I don't want to make them resistant to the medication

 

[Smorz]

I'm also not convinced that daily low dose products are the best plan;  I'd rather worm when needed also.  Mary

So...."necessary" is twice a year? Per your post #4 response.

 

[Folly's place]

It depends; that's the best answer I can give. Some folks need to worm twice annually, and some not. As you have chickens for a longer time on the same ground, parasites may build up. There may be damp ground, a pond, infected wild birds, whatever. Running fecals to the vet occasionally will help, and watching for the mites and lice matters too. Mary