Can you worm during moulting?

[Tinkspirit70]

Hi I am new at the chicken thing, I would like to know if I can worm my chickens during moulting? I see no evidence of worms but I just bought 5 new rhode island reds and added them to the coop with 4 cochins who are in the middle of a moult, I dont know much about how these girls were cared for. They appear to be healhy, I did dust them with DE before letting them in. I dont know if it is necessary to worm chickens every now and then or not?

 

[OregonChickenGal]

Yes, that is the best time to worm because their laying slows way down. After worming don't eat any eggs for 2 weeks. You should worm in the spring and fall anyway.

 

[Tinkspirit70]

thankyou very much, I appreciate the quick answer....what do you worm yours with? I have heard others on here say cattle ivermectin ( pour on) and wazine

 

[Ridgerunner]

If given during molting, certain wormers can cause the feathers tro grow back deformed. I cannot remember which wormer it is. Hopefully someone else can. You might find it on the label?

 

[breezy]

I asked that same question and was told no. I did it anyway since mine werent laying at the time and it seemed like a good time to do it. I had good results and honestly my girls came thru fine. I did up their protein intake and their calcium while they were in moult and they now look great and are just starting to lay again

 

[math ace]

Some wormers have warnings that if they are used during molts would cause deformed feathers. My friend's birds have started to molt already, so I started worming last week. I want to get the worming done BEFORE mine start molting.

 

[dawg53]

I've read somewhere on here that fenbendazole can cause deformed feathers. I agree with math ace and do my best to worm before moult. Mine are currently finishing up moulting. Another reason I dont like to worm during moult is that chickens are already under stress and their immune systems could be weakened by moult, worming them puts them under more undue and unnecessary stress possibly compromising their immune system further.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. I like to use albendazole to worm. My chickens are smack dab in the middle of a molt right now and I'd love to worm them now instead of in November (when I usually worm), but I am probably going to err on the side of caution and wait.