Worms?

[itsybitsyfroggy]

I have 5 8 month old pullets. they have been snowed in for a couple of days. today was warm and sunny so I let them out to free range. I noticed that one of the chickens was dabbing delicately at her food and not moving much. I picked her up and she felt really light. the feathers on her neck are ruffled. does she have worms??

 

[Judy]

It's certainly a possibility; worms eat the food you're feeding the chicken, and the chicken can actually starve if the load is heavy enough. You can take some poop to a vet and have a fecal smear done, although even if it's negative, there could still be worms. Or you could just worm them, which is what I do. I would recommend Valbazen or Safeguard -- cattle wormers, at the feed store.

http://healthybirds.umd.edu/Disease/Deworming Birds.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ll-seeing-live-worms-in-poo/0_20#post_9315842

 

[crazy4chickens5]

I would recommend Safeguard. Although I have not used it personally, some close friends of mine have with constant success. Good luck, and hope they're okay!

-Kyle