I found this information on another site and hope I am not breaking any rules by posting this information here. It was written by Linda Hamid. This remedy seems to be a good one, especially if you don't want to expose your chickens to too many chemicals.
Worming
I know there is controversy on worming. I consulted my avian vet and she
said using Ivomec is safe and effective. Ivomec is off-label use in poultry
(as are many other products) because commercial poultry producers in the US
aren't concerned with the same issues that small breeders are as they keep
their birds for 2 years or less.
These directions are from Iona McCormick. She told me that she has been
worming with Ivomec for 20+ years (and has raised birds for 35+ years). It
is safe even for chicks. Each bird drinks appropriate amount of water so
gets proper dose. Ivomec has withdrawal for meat (if you were going to eat
the bird, which I know you're not) but none stated for eggs. It has been
used widely for many years. If there was a problem with eating the eggs we
would surely know about it. My family and my dog eat them and we are still
here (and presumably worm-free). Ivomec (Merial) is the brand name,
ivermectin is generic. I buy Ivomec from Jeffers Supply- sometimes they have
it on sale. If your feed store carries it you can get it there. DO NOT GET
POUR ON. Pour on is oil based and will not mix with the water. GET
INJECTABLE. Ivomec controls most intestinal parasites with the exception of
tape worm (tape is rare in chickens). It also controls lice and mites.
Parasitic insects suck the blood of the host (your bird) and are poisoned.
Ivomec can also help prevent gapeworm (picked up from eating earthworms).
It will not treat gape worm if a bird is already infected, that requires a
different course of therapy.
I worm at the beginning of each season, 4 x a year. At least twice a year is
recommended, especially if your birds free range
If you are treating for lice/mites, you will need to re-treat in 14 days to
break the mite/lice life cycle
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/
copy/paste this into the search bar: Cattle/Swine IVOMECR Injectable , 50 ml
If your syringe has measurements in ml instead of cc, they are the same
thing. Here are the directions:
Ivomec is a brand name of ivermectin and yes, it is a cattle de-wormer in
that form. I get a generic ivermectin at my feed store. I haven't tried any
of the sheep or hog types.
I use 1% injectable cattle ivermectin mixed in water. You can purchase a
syringe with a needle at the feed store (or from Jeffers)to remove the
liquid from the bottle and to measure the dosage.
1cc per quart of water/ 4cc per gallon.
The mixture is the only water the birds get for 2 days. Mix small batches (a
gallon) to retain freshness as more of the solution is needed. I did give
the meds for 3 day, but decided the birds were doing ok with only 2 days.
I don't toss the eggs. Ivermectin is used for a de-wormer for people and has
not caused any problems as far as I know from my extensive reading. For
those that want to jump on the previous statement -- Yes, once in a while
there will be someone with a rare sensitivity to the drug, but not often
enough for me to worry about it.
There is a lot of discussion on de-worming methods in the archives of the
board. There is also a great deal of information on the net. Just do a
search on ivermectin and be prepared to read for a couple of hours.
I know there is controversy on worming. I consulted my avian vet and she
said using Ivomec is safe and effective. Ivomec is off-label use in poultry
(as are many other products) because commercial poultry producers in the US
aren't concerned with the same issues that small breeders are as they keep
their birds for 2 years or less.
These directions are from Iona McCormick. She told me that she has been
worming with Ivomec for 20+ years (and has raised birds for 35+ years). It
is safe even for chicks. Each bird drinks appropriate amount of water so
gets proper dose. Ivomec has withdrawal for meat (if you were going to eat
the bird, which I know you're not) but none stated for eggs. It has been
used widely for many years. If there was a problem with eating the eggs we
would surely know about it. My family and my dog eat them and we are still
here (and presumably worm-free). Ivomec (Merial) is the brand name,
ivermectin is generic. I buy Ivomec from Jeffers Supply- sometimes they have
it on sale. If your feed store carries it you can get it there. DO NOT GET
POUR ON. Pour on is oil based and will not mix with the water. GET
INJECTABLE. Ivomec controls most intestinal parasites with the exception of
tape worm (tape is rare in chickens). It also controls lice and mites.
Parasitic insects suck the blood of the host (your bird) and are poisoned.
Ivomec can also help prevent gapeworm (picked up from eating earthworms).
It will not treat gape worm if a bird is already infected, that requires a
different course of therapy.
I worm at the beginning of each season, 4 x a year. At least twice a year is
recommended, especially if your birds free range
If you are treating for lice/mites, you will need to re-treat in 14 days to
break the mite/lice life cycle
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/
copy/paste this into the search bar: Cattle/Swine IVOMECR Injectable , 50 ml
If your syringe has measurements in ml instead of cc, they are the same
thing. Here are the directions:
Ivomec is a brand name of ivermectin and yes, it is a cattle de-wormer in
that form. I get a generic ivermectin at my feed store. I haven't tried any
of the sheep or hog types.
I use 1% injectable cattle ivermectin mixed in water. You can purchase a
syringe with a needle at the feed store (or from Jeffers)to remove the
liquid from the bottle and to measure the dosage.
1cc per quart of water/ 4cc per gallon.
The mixture is the only water the birds get for 2 days. Mix small batches (a
gallon) to retain freshness as more of the solution is needed. I did give
the meds for 3 day, but decided the birds were doing ok with only 2 days.
I don't toss the eggs. Ivermectin is used for a de-wormer for people and has
not caused any problems as far as I know from my extensive reading. For
those that want to jump on the previous statement -- Yes, once in a while
there will be someone with a rare sensitivity to the drug, but not often
enough for me to worry about it.
There is a lot of discussion on de-worming methods in the archives of the
board. There is also a great deal of information on the net. Just do a
search on ivermectin and be prepared to read for a couple of hours.
