Chickens losing weight!! Breast bones protruding!!

[micstrachan]

Not enough experience here to vote. I just remember when I did my research, I thought Valbazen was the way to go if I had to worm my flock. Do they both kill ALL chicken worms? If so, maybe it doesn’t matter much. Is Valbazen the more expensivekne? I think Safeguard might not take care of roundworm, in which case you woukd treat with Wazine, too, I think. PLEASE NOTE, I’M GOING OFF MEMORY AND COULD BE WRONG. There are others with lots of worm experience here who can chime in. My flock ended up testing negative for worms, so I didn’t end up worming then. Lately I think they’re eating lots of earthworms, though, as a couple have especially dark poops after free range time, so I may need to. Earthworms can carry chicken worms, but I forget which ones. Tape worms maybe?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

My... flock of mixed breed chickens are.... losing weight... I believe they have been losing weight for A while... Where can I get these meds...

The concept of sustainability is a two way street. Most bugs, Earthworms, and other creepy crawlies are vectors for internal parasites like gape worms, round worms, tape worms, hook worms, liver flukes, etc.

This is one of the ways that Mother Nature balances the scales between prey, and predator species. A small flock free ranging on 25 or so acres will not shed enough worm eggs in one place to infect the insect, slug, and snail population to a critical degree. A small flock in the average suburban back yard is another matter, and it is best to practise preventive maintenance in this case to keep your flock in the pink of health.

 

[Pyxis]

Any opinions on Valbazen vs Safe Guard? There is quite a price difference.

The only advantage of Valbazen over SafeGuard is that Valbazen kills tapeworms and SafeGuard doesn't. So if you suspect they have tapeworm, go with Valbazen. Otherwise, SafeGuard is fine.

 

[chickens really]

Possible over load of Coccidiosis ...That will cause Chickens to lose weight...

 

[Peckadoodle]

There is some concern that worms may have have evolved somewhat of a tolerance to Safeguard. Still does the trick if strength is increased a tad or it is offered for a longer time period. Valbazen is a good choice...a small bottle will last a long time.

 

[Kiki]

Diatomaceous earth is an option. I buy feed that contains it so I don't have to worry about them breathing it in and it kills all internal parasites.

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/39...tm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=10-10-2017
Please read this:

DE will not get rid of worms.

 

[Kiki]

Are your chickens molting right now too?

Worming Chickens––Medicines and Dosing

 

[casportpony]

Any opinions on Valbazen vs Safe Guard? There is quite a price difference.

Bang for the buck, Valbazen is the better wormer. The effective Safeguard dose is *much* higher than Valbazen and it has to be given several days in a row to treat some worms.

 

[casportpony]

Not enough experience here to vote. I just remember when I did my research, I thought Valbazen was the way to go if I had to worm my flock. Do they both kill ALL chicken worms? If so, maybe it doesn’t matter much. Is Valbazen the more expensivekne? I think Safeguard might not take care of roundworm, in which case you woukd treat with Wazine, too, I think. PLEASE NOTE, I’M GOING OFF MEMORY AND COULD BE WRONG. There are others with lots of worm experience here who can chime in. My flock ended up testing negative for worms, so I didn’t end up worming then. Lately I think they’re eating lots of earthworms, though, as a couple have especially dark poops after free range time, so I may need to. Earthworms can carry chicken worms, but I forget which ones. Tape worms maybe?

Safeguard will treat roundworms, cecal worms, capillary worms, gape worms, gizzard worms, and possibly some species of tapes. Not positive, but I don't think it treats oviduct flukes. Gapes and capillary worms need high doses for 3-5 days.

Valbazen treats the same worms, but at lower doses, and it might even treat oviduct flukes, though I can't find any studies on that. Gapes need 3 days treatment.

 

[casportpony]

This article is about fenbendazole (Safeguard) and albendazole (Valbazen) in reptiles, it explains some of the differences between the two.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Rep...es-Nematode-Parasites-Treatment-Fenbendazole/

Stuff like this:
"Some reptile veterinarians believe that albendazole is more effective in single doses than fenbendazole is. Even if single dose effectiveness is conceded, fenbendazole is preferable for several reasons. Although albendazole is considered to be safe, it is better absorbed than the other benzimidazoles are, which increases side effects with the liver and hematologic organ systems. Both drugs are more effective when administered daily for several days rather than in one dose, so single-dose effectiveness is a moot point. Albendazole is also teratogenic (causing birth defects) and embryotoxic (causing damage or death to the embryo), which would pose an undue risk for potentially gravid animals. Finally, albendazole interacts with praziquantel (Droncit) and dexamethasone, which would limit concurrent treatment of cestodes. Fenbendazole is simply safer than albendazole."