Blackhead and Shared Space with Chickens

[Terrapene13]

Hello,

I have 6 chickens that have free run of about 1/4 of a fenced acre.

At the end of April, i'm expecting some Midget Whites from Mcmurray. I'm not a fan of closing my flocks in, i prefer to let them have free run of the place. Lots of space= lots of exercise and lots of things to do which ultimately = happy, healthy birds. My concern is that they will be sharing this space with my current flock and this is contraindicated everywhere. Is this a real threat and condemning my turkeys to death (as they make it sound) or an uncommon one....will regular deworming/treatment prevent this?

~Colin

 

[harrybird]

I am basically in the same boat, and have been searching for more info on Blackhead. Some other forum posts on this site suggests that you can prevent it by treatment of both chickens and turkeys with apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper. I have also seen someone suggest Safeguard, which is available as a goat and swine dewormer.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

You can contact your local conservation department and ask them if there are any blackhead issues in your area. I free range mine together and they roost together and eat together etc. No issues, I have 2 large turkey toms who I raised with my chickens from the time they were all poults and chicks with no problem. Your conservation agents should be able to give you info on it in your area though and that way you will know what to do. Good luck

 

[Celie]

I have 200+ chickens, about 80 ducks, 3 geese LOL, and 27 turkeys, that all forage, live, eat and play together, but thank God, Blackhead is not a problem here, either. I have never heard of using ACV for worming or diseases like blackhead! What ACV does is helps probiotics develop in the lower gut, which will improve their ability to develop immunity and improve overall good health, but *I doubt if it would CURE a disease such as the dreaded BLACKHEAD!

 

[TV]

I have had turkeys and chickens together for 30yrs. with no problems. Blackhead is a devastating disease but also very a rare affliction. Running the 2 species together is pretty much the norm for most people.

 

[debbyvenus]

I have found a wormer that is sold with a perscription only from a vet. However I found this online in UK. It is called Flubenvet for worming domestic poultry. It eliminates against gapeworm, large roundworm, caecal worm (which is the one that Blackhead is from), hairworm, and gizzard worm in chickens, turkeys, and geese. Activity includes adult worms, larvae and eggs.
I wormed my chickens last summer. Did it again in 10days - I'm hoping since it kills the caecal worm that it may eliminate the worry of contacting Blackhead. If you worm your birds once a year seems it would be safe. Unless other poultry was raised on that ground in the past as this worm lives in the soil.
I noticed my chickens had diarhea before worming last summer after that it was normal looking poo. I do poo checks to see if they may be getting worms again. It is easy to use as you mix it in the feed for 7 days. I added olive oil so the powder adhers to the feed. It has a 7 day withdrawal time for meat birds before consuming but no withdrawal time for chickens producing eggs. Seems pretty safe. I have read some wormers can't use the eggs after worming at all. I think it was piprazine. Maybe someone else may have more info about other wormers.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I use safeguard goat wormer for my chickens and turkeys. Does a great job. I use the liquid and dose individually so I know for sure they have gotten the correct dose.