Alternative and Natural Wormer's...

[Sue Gremlin]

That's really good to know I'm really thinking about investing in a centrifuge. I'm someone who believes you should only worm when you see a problem, some people think that this is ridiculous.

I have heard that excessive use of wormers and antibiotics makes the parasites and such immune which isn't good. I heard this from a veterinarian and I've always held that in my mind whenever someone tells me I need to worm my chickens twice a year or what not.

I agree with you about using dewormers when you need to and not as a matter of course, for what it's worth.
I am a parasitologist by trade, and can help with getting yourself set up and oriented to do your own fecals if you need it (same goes for anyone here).

 

[Folly's place]

It's interesting and fun to have a microscope, and the centrifuge makes fecal testing more accurate, but there's the investment in time and money, considerable, compared to having fecals run by a veterinary lab, with an experienced lab technician reading them.
And, these gadgets need maintenance, and repairs are also expensive.
Playing in poo isn't so nice, and absolutely NOT for the kitchen!!!
You may be able to find good used equipment through hospitals or veterinary clinics, BTW.
Mary

 

[FortCluck]

It's interesting and fun to have a microscope, and the centrifuge makes fecal testing more accurate, but there's the investment in time and money, considerable, compared to having fecals run by a veterinary lab, with an experienced lab technician reading them.
And, these gadgets need maintenance, and repairs are also expensive.
Playing in poo isn't so nice, and absolutely NOT for the kitchen!!!
You may be able to find good used equipment through hospitals or veterinary clinics, BTW.
Mary

That's for that info, I'm going to talk to our veterinarian about what I want to do. They don't really deal with chickens in their office so if they could teach me how to do it or technically refresh my memory that would be great. I used to work in a veterinarian office as a intern vet tech when I was in high school, I did a lot of surgeries and blood tests.

 

[pennyJo1960]

A good Vet tech can teach you cluck the process is not real fun poop inspector take a whole lot more meaning

 

[Lilalienangel]

I really appreciate this conversation and I hope it picks up. It is so great to be discussing this without negative or judgmental overtones. I am totally new to chickens. My chicks are 11 weeks. I have seen and had very a bad personal experience involving the area of "big pharma". I don't mean to offend anyone but I really do strive to learn the medicines everyday properties that are constantly around and readily available to us. How do you think Pharma got started? Some people had herbs, a mortar and pestle, and a little know how. Either way I don't think the ability to care for oneself is a bad thing. If mine ever have an issue I'll glady do what I can to assist in further independent research. How much do floats generally cost? Thanks for posting this.

 

[Folly's place]

My veterinarian has been sending poo samples to a big lab for overnight results, done by experts, and not having the disgusting mess at their office! Safer for staff there too.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

I guess my point was that the lab can run fecals from many species, not limited to those seen by the practice.
Mary

 

[pennyJo1960]

This is a great thread started glad you have joined it Lila many theories thrive all are welcome to voice

 

[ChocolateMouse]

A lot of vets will run a fecal at a lab for $15-$25. That's not a ton, it's skipping one nicer dinner out with the bae for both a before and after, but right now I don't have the time/other resources to do a full blown experiment.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I agree with you about using dewormers when you need to and not as a matter of course, for what it's worth.
I am a parasitologist by trade, and can help with getting yourself set up and oriented to do your own fecals if you need it (same goes for anyone here).

This would be a great subject for an article!