Best Dewormer For the Backyard Flock

[dawg53]

Tjo804. Normally there's a 14 day withdrawal period after using valbazen.

 

[Michael Apple]

I have never used wormers you guys have suggested (simply cause it's a waste of time),and from the looks,it is somewhat effective....

Benzamidazoles are worth the time. When your birds get run down from using vinegar as a dewormer, you can post here and I'll give you some guidance. Meanwhile, here is something to read: http://parasitipedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2440&Itemid=2701
Unless you plan on pickling birds, vinegar is not essential in any way.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:

Pickle a chicken?

 

[tjo804]

Tjo804. Normally there's a 14 day withdrawal period after using valbazen.

I read somewhere instead of just throwing out the eggs someone said they scramble and feed the eggs back to the chicks.

would this be ok? or maybe to my dogs or stray cats?

 

[Michael Apple]

I read somewhere instead of just throwing out the eggs someone said they scramble and feed the eggs back to the chicks.

would this be ok? or maybe to my dogs or stray cats?

Why feed eggs to your chickens? Formulated feed isn't that expensive in TX is it? If you won't eat the eggs due to the withdrawal period, then you may not want to feed it to chicks, dogs, or cats.

 

[tjo804]

I dont know that is just what I read since they were on the medication already it wouldnt hurt and to answer your question no feed is no more expensive here I buy layer pellets but I also do alot of kitchen scraps and one of the favorites since the brooder has been scrambled eggs.

I thought the withdrawal period meant throw them away. I don't want to just throw them away if the stray cats can eat them and get some second hand wormer why not? unless it is poisonous in the egg? Just a question I didn't under stand

 

[Michael Apple]

I dont know that is just what I read since they were on the medication already it wouldnt hurt and to answer your question no feed is no more expensive here I buy layer pellets but I also do alot of kitchen scraps and one of the favorites since the brooder has been scrambled eggs.

I thought the withdrawal period meant throw them away. I don't want to just throw them away if the stray cats can eat them and get some second hand wormer why not? unless it is poisonous in the egg? Just a question I didn't under stand

Some anthelmintics used for birds may be toxic to certain mammals and vice versa. That may be something to research depending on what anthelmintic you use. I don't see any sense in feeding eggs you wouldn't eat to your birds, dogs, cats, etc. If you think it isn't healthy enough for you to eat, then it may not be healthy enough for the other. In regard to "kitchen scraps" that could be a wide array of things. I've heard of people feeding their birds discards I wouldn't feed to my worst enemy. Then they wonder why their birds are sick and dying. Remember, too much of anything that replaces adequate nutrition, or is moldy/rotten, isn't worth giving them. Too much protein causes enteritis, gout, and lack of vitamins/minerals causes anemia and a weakened immune system. Too much fiber is diuretic and can cause dehydration which leads to all sorts of problems. Most chickens will find what they want on range in the amounts they need. Sparingly providing greens (not parsley) if you don't have range, a little animal protein like buttermilk, or small amounts of no salt tuna on occasion can be beneficial.

A withdrawal period is the time required for a substance to leave the animal's system. Direct fed anthelmintics are the most assured way to deworm. Other less effective methods are additions of anthelmintics likes Hygromycin to feed. It is less effective since much depends on how much the bird ingests. Hygromycin does not require a withdrawal period though. Fenbendazole requires no withdrawal period in Turkeys, but does for chickens. The problem with Fenbendazole (Safe-guard) is that it must be dosed 5 days in a row to be effective. Anyway, I have thrown out 2 weeks worth of eggs, but that is not significant since I generally deworm before or after moult in Fall/early Winter and the end of Winter/early Spring. Those are the times of year when hens are laying less/not at peak production. Like dawg53 mentioned, much depends on the climatic/environmental conditions such as humidity and moist soil, as to how often birds should be dewormed. There are worms which invade the crop, esophagus, trachea, in addition to the intestinal tract. It would not surprise me at all, that many of the intestinal/crop problems folks post about in the emergencies section of this forum are due to intestinal worms, or improper diet, or protozoa.

So, as you can see there is planning involved and observation required.

 

[tjo804]

Ok making more sense to me than the other stuff I was reading

Thank you

and no I do not feed my chickens anything I would not eat myself except the layer pellets and that is only because I have not tried them.

I do let them roam during the day almost daily. and they have free access to my garden end of season when things are still good we share.

 

[Michael Apple]

Ok making more sense to me than the other stuff I was reading

Thank you

and no I do not feed my chickens anything I would not eat myself except the layer pellets and that is only because I have not tried them.

I do let them roam during the day almost daily. and they have free access to my garden end of season when things are still good we share.

That's great. It sounds like a good environment for them. I've taste tested layer pellets and can tell how fresh they are by the scent. I prefer a different diet though

I smelled enough from different mills, I can tell what is good and what is bad. Cedar Creek area is listed as subtropical and humid. Where I am is considered a Mediterranean climate. I was in Southeast TX once, and was lucky it was October. Very humid compared to Northern CA. The people were very courteous.

 

[tjo804]

Oh yes love the people here! Originally from Michigan and since the sun rarely shines there you will find many people that should not be in public. I love it here except in the winter! and that is end of January to end of March. I bet Mediterranean is nice too. The soil here grows rocks best but you can grow a year round garden if you fix the bed.

Do you know if there is something to treat the ground so as not to re-infest my ladies after a worming? My neighbor also has chickens but he prefers when they come here to eat they spend all day in my yard and I know he is not worming. so If i could treat the ground that would make me feel better as well. However to do that I would most likely kill all my beneficial s and garden worms also hunh?