Just wanted to update. Thanks for the replies!
I haven't noticed any signs of worms or disease in the flock. I think maybe I caused the digestive upset....I gave them a whole pumpkin and they ignored their feed for like two days while noshing the squash.
Speaking of which, does pumpkin worm them of all worries, or just specific ones?
They get at least one pumpkin of various sizes a week as they are rather spoiled birds, but generally not as big as last weeks's was. Usually only about 3lbs.
they are very spoiled.
Uh yeah..that much pumpkin could definitely cause dietary distress and the resulting diarrhea. It's important to not give too much of any one food as that could create quite the gut problem. I would keep them on regular layer feed with treats that equal no more than 10% to 20% of their diet...spaced out evenly so they don't gorge on any given day.
Pumpkin won't get rid of worms. Nothing but worming medicine will kill and eliminate worms.
However, pumpkin SEEDS, garlic, and cayenne pepper along with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) build the immune system of the bird and have been shown in studies to discourage worm growth. Note though that this is not killing the worm, just making the gut inhospitable and the bird's own immune system strong enough to flush them out. The worms are still live and well and reproducing and spreading eggs in the gut which gets flushed out with the worms. You have to keep very strict litter management (clean out coops and runs, getting rid of the bedding away from your birds) to keep the worm build up minimal.
If you want to go more herbal than chemical...I can recommend Molly's Herbal which has several herbs that have also been proven to be effective at helping keep worm loads down (in particular worm wood). She recommends using it every 6 to 8 weeks as wormwood can be toxic if given too frequently. Just google Molly's herbals. They have a study linked that showed Molly's was effective against regular chemicals on a goat study. Molly gives instructions for use in chickens. No egg withdrawal is necessary.
Another herbal that is popular is Verm-X. However, while very popular with lots of anecdotal recommendations, I can find no study that actually shows it's effective. It is also quite expensive (if you have the amount of birds I do). But you can give it to them in their feed 3 days each month. No egg withdrawal. It uses basically garlic, cayenne, and while not listed, I bet pumpkin seed...as well as some of the Molly's secondary wormer herbs (but no wormwood).
I use herbals in-between wormings with meds. I choose Rooster Booster's Multi Wormer (Hygromycin B) as it requires no egg withdrawal, is FDA approved for egg layers (important if you plan to ever sell any eggs to friends or public...which I do), is easy to administer (pellets mixed in with regular feed) and targets 3 of the most common worms (capillary, cecal, and round). I use Rooster Booster Multi Wormer every 6 months for 2 weeks and Molly's (with ground pumpkin seeds, cayenne and garlic) ever 2 months for 3 days. I do see improvement in my flock's appearance and egg production.
And I attempt to keep their litter as clean as possible.
Lady of McCamley
EDITED TO ADD: The trick to keeping worm load down is strong immune systems, clean bedding, good field rotation, and periodic use of worming medicine as all chickens have worms. If it gets to the point they have symptoms (lethargy, diarrhea, worms in poo) you have a heavy load built up which is harder to get rid of. If you only eat your own eggs then there are a number of wormers from Valbazen, Wazine (round only) and Ivermectin (internal and external parasites)...all of those require at least 14 days of egg tossing after the last dose...and usually require 2 doses 10 days apart...so a month of egg tossing. it is good to rotate wormer meds to prevent worm resistance to a particular med. Many choose to use meds once a year and herbals the balance.
they are very spoiled.
