Cecal Worms

Well, darnit, we have worms. The chickens are about 30 weeks old now, and all appear to be well. However, we have seen small white worms about 1/2 inch long wiggling around in the cecal poo. We have seen them in almost all the chooks.

Here is my question: Wazine-17 is out of the question. We give our eggs to friends and family, some of which are very sensitive to sulfates (including myself). This is the main ingredient as far as I can tell. And since there is no hard and fast evidence that there is no residual in the eggs after two weeks, we can't/won't use it.

So, we have been doing some research on the drop on Ivermectin and feel more comfortable with that. I do worry though about shock and clogging them up with dead worms.

What are your suggestions? What would you use? What dose would you recommend if we just start out with the Ivermectin?

This is gross.

I think I have read something on here that you can use garlic to get rid of worms...

Use whatever you are most comfortable with.
Here's a link to some info on several different wormers, some are chemical and some are natural. http://chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=4348.0;wap2 This is a UK site but I 'm sure the info is the same for what we have in the states.

It does say that for Invermectin, you should put 2-3 drops on the birds neck, making sure it's on the skin. then repeat after 3 days.

And a note on the "natural" wormers. To my knowledge, natural wormers are better used as a preventive rather than a cure. So these may be things to use in between wormings, to help prevent infestation. Then use the stronger stuff like invermectin twice a year as a treatment.

Hope this helps.

lord i can't remeber the name......BRB

Here's what I found:
Cecal Worms

This parasite (Heterakis gallinae) is found in the ceca of chickens, turkeys and other birds.

This parasite apparently does not seriously affect the health of the bird. At least no marked symptoms or pathology can be blamed on its presence. Its main importance is that it has been incriminated as a vector of Histomonas meleagridis, the agent that causes blackhead. This protozoan parasite apparently is carried in the cecal worm egg and is transmitted from bird to bird through this egg.

The life history of this parasite is similar to that of the common roundworm. The eggs are produced in the ceca and pass in the feces. They reach the infective form in about two weeks. In cool weather, this may take longer. The eggs are very resistant to environmental conditions and will remain viable for long periods.

The cecal worm can be effectively treated with fenbendazole. Since the worm itself produces no observable damage and the eggs live for long periods, it is advisable and necessary to keep chickens and turkeys separated to prevent spread of blackhead.


http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disparas.htm#cecal