Thank you ThreeHorses, this thread is brilliant and timely. I found little worms on Friday in hen droppings, (rice sized, maggot looking, squirming around), and I am so grossed out that I nearly threw in the towel. I have had a rotten summer with my birds and just felt defeated. Out of 9 laying hens, I have been lucky to get 10 eggs per week all summer, and they are going through lay mash like there is no tomorrow. Now I know why. Just thinking that I've been feeding my family wormy eggs makes me sick. Cleaned coop and did the piperazine 17 in water yesterday. Will probably do the pour-on in two weeks. I guess I should go to the pharmacy and de-worm my whole family. I am so disgusted. :-( This worm episode follows the June dog attack that killed 3 chickens, mutilated a fourth. Nursed that bird back to health and had to pick maggots out of wounds... Was rewarded by my efforts by the now-healthy chicken growing spurs and surprising us all with his crowing. Not supposed to have crowing fowl making noise between 8p and 8a where I live... I think maybe this hobby is not for me... :-( Boy, am I feeling sorry for myself. Ok, need to get over it and medicate these birds and family and dog and cat and get the problem solved. But still, the yuck factor is HIGH!