Advice on routine worming

[LyonFuzz]

I need some clarity on what I should be worming my chickens with and how often. I don't have a problem that I know of and my birds are healthy, but I don't want one. They have a large dirt bottom pen and free range the yard almost daily. Thanks for any input Karen

 

[centrarchid]

They will be exposed to worms and likely support some worm burden you may periodically see signs of in the feces. That being said, I would not treat any birds unless you see some showing health problems. The health problem I watch for first is inability to keep on weight. When things really get out of control a bird will produce runny stool and possibly even show a purple color in comb. When do decide to treat, the bird to be treated is placed in an isolation pen off the ground so feces can be collected. Treatment regimen is applied per directions on label. Collected feces are transferred to the compost heap an interred. Bird is then fed for a few days to weeks to restore weight. Bird then gotten rid of generally in my situation and replaced by another younger individual. You can return treated individual to flock going through the typical re-integration hassle. You are likely to find if returning treated birds to flock, they are likely to need repeated treatments as they will become impacted later as they become re-infected.

 

[centrarchid]

I will stress birds are not treated often here. None have been treated for over a year in a flock that seldom drops below 50 adults. It is nothing to go years between seeing the need to treat. Frequent / prophylactic treatment promotes more rapid development of resistance in worms to the deworming agents. Here, I can still get away with using Wazine.

 

[Folly's place]

It depends, and worming your birds should only be done as necessary. Have fecals run at your veterinarian's, look at the overall health of your birds, and decide. Some flocks will have serious issues, others won't. There's no useful approved products for chickens in the US, so worming off-label is the only choice, and avoiding those issues is best, if possible. I haven't wormed my birds in two years, and will only do it if necessary. Having litter over the dirt in the run, and keeping birds away from ponds so they aren't eating snails and crayfish, will help too. A low worm burden isn't such a bad thing, they can deal with it. Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree with Mary. I have NEVER wormed my flock, nor have I seen any issue that warrants treatment.

As Centrarchid states, it's normal for an animal to have a bit of an internal parasite load. I'm guessing that if you or I had a stool sample tested, we'd both test positive for some sort of parasite. It's only when those parasites in any animal become problematic that treatment is warranted.

With my flock, my treatment of choice would most likely to cull the affected birds. It's said that 10% of the animals in a flock or herd carry 90% of the parasite load. Cull those weak animals, and you will breed forward with a flock that is even more resistant to parasites.

Also, as Mary states, environment plays a key role. Keeping your run covered with deep litter goes a very long way towards keeping a healthy well balanced soil. The healthy organisms in a well balanced soil will keep the pathogens in check.

 

[LyonFuzz]

Thank you all for your responses Very informative. Today I found a stool with obvious worms in it......I posted a thread with pic in diseases:injuries.........ewwww

 

[casportpony]

Thank you all for your responses Very informative. Today I found a stool with obvious worms in it......I posted a thread with pic in diseases:injuries.........ewwww

If you saw worms in poo they are probably large roundworms. How large is your flock?

Edited to add:
Just saw your other post with your excellent pictures of large roundworms! You stated that you dropped off a poop sample at your vet, so hopefully they will advise you how best to proceed.

If it was my bird, and I had a small flock, I would treat with Wazine (piperazine), Safeguard (fenbendazole), or Valbazen (albendazole). None of those drugs are "approved" for use in laying hens, but they aren't banned either. If your vet suggests using a wormer they will probably advise you not to eat the eggs for some period of time. If your vet doesn't know what the withdrawal is they can request drug withdrawal info from FARAD.

FWIW, piperazine (Wazine) is approved in Canada for use in laying hens, and fenbendazole is approved in the UK for use in laying hens.

 

[andreanar]

Is there a wormer that is broad spectrum? Or do you have to know the type of worm in order to get the right med?

 

[casportpony]

Is there a wormer that is broad spectrum? Or do you have to know the type of worm in order to get the right med?

Some wormers are broad spectrum. Valbazen is probably the best and easiest to use.

 

[Folly's place]

No one product kills everything, so it's best to know what you are doing! Mary