De-wormer Questions?

[diamondsilkies]

I'm not concerned that my chickens have worms, but I did read the other day that chickens should be dewormed (not sure if that's the correct term, someone please correct me if I'm wrong) every once in a while as a preventive measure. I once read that incorporating pumpkin seeds and such into their diet would help prevent them, so that's what I've always done. However, I'm now thinking that I should do something else. I honestly don't know much about worming chickens, so my questions are:

-Does just feeding them pumpkin seeds really work, or have I just been lucky?
-Do I have to deworm them every once in a while, even if they don't have them?
-If so, what type of dewormer do you use/recommend? (I like to keep an organic flock)
-Do I have to stop eating/hatching eggs for a certain time period after deworming them?
-And is there anything else I should know?
Thank you! (can't believe I missed this important piece of info in all my years of chicken keeping )

 

[aart]

First, have a fecal float test done to see if they have worms that need to be treated.
Lab report should tell what species(s) and how many.

 

[Melky]

I'm not concerned that my chickens have worms, but I did read the other day that chickens should be dewormed (not sure if that's the correct term, someone please correct me if I'm wrong) every once in a while as a preventive measure. I once read that incorporating pumpkin seeds and such into their diet would help prevent them, so that's what I've always done. However, I'm now thinking that I should do something else. I honestly don't know much about worming chickens, so my questions are:

-Does just feeding them pumpkin seeds really work, or have I just been lucky?
-Do I have to deworm them every once in a while, even if they don't have them?
-If so, what type of dewormer do you use/recommend? (I like to keep an organic flock)
-Do I have to stop eating/hatching eggs for a certain time period after deworming them?
-And is there anything else I should know?
Thank you! (can't believe I missed this important piece of info in all my years of chicken keeping )

I discussed with Hatchery My chicks came from (Meyers) and the recommendation for deworming is, it is not necessary to regularly deworm and unless commercial the only vaccine recommendation was for Mareks on day one. The impetus was seeing their vaccination schedule in the catalog sent to me and they reported they use a dewormer on the pullets before sale but she reported this is only necessary for commercial entities. My vet has not recommended one so far so have not done.

 

[Melky]

I'm not concerned that my chickens have worms, but I did read the other day that chickens should be dewormed (not sure if that's the correct term, someone please correct me if I'm wrong) every once in a while as a preventive measure. I once read that incorporating pumpkin seeds and such into their diet would help prevent them, so that's what I've always done. However, I'm now thinking that I should do something else. I honestly don't know much about worming chickens, so my questions are:

-Does just feeding them pumpkin seeds really work, or have I just been lucky?
-Do I have to deworm them every once in a while, even if they don't have them?
-If so, what type of dewormer do you use/recommend? (I like to keep an organic flock)
-Do I have to stop eating/hatching eggs for a certain time period after deworming them?
-And is there anything else I should know?
Thank you! (can't believe I missed this important piece of info in all my years of chicken keeping )

Here is some information on deworming and in general feels it is useless proposition because hens can develop resistance to the dewormer. Treat if have and here are some natural suggestions to prevent worms hope this helps and yes pumpkin seeds was one.
https://farmingmybackyard.com/deworming-chickens/

 

[Mosey2003]

Pumpkin seeds as an effective dewormer (yes, that's the correct term) is a myth. They don't kill or prevent parasites, no matter what people "feel" like they do.

First, if at all possible, it really is best to have fecal floats done. Call up some vets in your area and see if they'll run fecals for chickens (they should, but I know many just refuse for whatever reason). This usually isn't expensive, under $20 in my area. What you'll want to do is catch them first thing in the morning when they all have a poo and grab up a representative sample and stick it in a bag to take in.

Next, see what the vet says. If they see certain parasites, they're liable to recommend certain dewormers. If they really aren't chicken vets and say, "Just grab a dewormer labeled for chickens at the farm store." you have a few options. Currently, the chicken dewormer that's labeled specifically for chickens is Wazine. You put it in their water for a certain amount of time, and there will be label directions for that and any egg withdrawal. There is some controversy over egg withdrawal with it as the US has now labeled it as a lifetime withdrawal, which means you should never eat those eggs again. Canada, however, lists a withdrawal of a certain amount of days. It comes down to a bigger issue of having the money to get the regulating bodies to test for safe egg withdrawal times, and chickens don't have as many high dollar backers as, say, cattle. Personally, I won't use Wazine as it only kills one type of worm (roundworm) and if your birds have a heavy infestation, killing them all immediately can lead to an impaction and possibly death.

So, that leaves us the murky area of using other dewormers off-label for chickens. Personally, my preference is Valbazen (albendazole). The probably with it is that it only comes in a cattle size jar, so you end up spending $45 when you only need 1/8th of that amount. My next preference is Safe Guard (fenbendazole) and that you can buy in a liquid form for goats for about $15. You can also buy horse paste or horse pellets, personally I don't do that.

Probably more information than you wanted! It's a personal decision on what you want to use or not use. Over in the health area of the forum there are many posts with dosages and withdrawals (most use 14 days just as a generally safe precaution).

 

[Melky]

Pumpkin seeds as an effective dewormer (yes, that's the correct term) is a myth. They don't kill or prevent parasites, no matter what people "feel" like they do.

First, if at all possible, it really is best to have fecal floats done. Call up some vets in your area and see if they'll run fecals for chickens (they should, but I know many just refuse for whatever reason). This usually isn't expensive, under $20 in my area. What you'll want to do is catch them first thing in the morning when they all have a poo and grab up a representative sample and stick it in a bag to take in.

Next, see what the vet says. If they see certain parasites, they're liable to recommend certain dewormers. If they really aren't chicken vets and say, "Just grab a dewormer labeled for chickens at the farm store." you have a few options. Currently, the chicken dewormer that's labeled specifically for chickens is Wazine. You put it in their water for a certain amount of time, and there will be label directions for that and any egg withdrawal. There is some controversy over egg withdrawal with it as the US has now labeled it as a lifetime withdrawal, which means you should never eat those eggs again. Canada, however, lists a withdrawal of a certain amount of days. It comes down to a bigger issue of having the money to get the regulating bodies to test for safe egg withdrawal times, and chickens don't have as many high dollar backers as, say, cattle. Personally, I won't use Wazine as it only kills one type of worm (roundworm) and if your birds have a heavy infestation, killing them all immediately can lead to an impaction and possibly death.

So, that leaves us the murky area of using other dewormers off-label for chickens. Personally, my preference is Valbazen (albendazole). The probably with it is that it only comes in a cattle size jar, so you end up spending $45 when you only need 1/8th of that amount. My next preference is Safe Guard (fenbendazole) and that you can buy in a liquid form for goats for about $15. You can also buy horse paste or horse pellets, personally I don't do that.

Probably more information than you wanted! It's a personal decision on what you want to use or not use. Over in the health area of the forum there are many posts with dosages and withdrawals (most use 14 days just as a generally safe precaution).

Pumpkin is a natural preventative not a dewormer and not reported as such. Others use crushed garlic in the water etc. It supports the health of the bird and creates an inhospitable environment for the worms. You can read source in my post. It further discussed recommendations for every 6 month fecal floats and more to monitor for worms. It really is a personal decision how much you feel you should do. The source also discusses importance of clean environment, rotating free range areas, prevent over crowding, and sufficient ventilation with dry home. Another prospect if teat for worms or use preventative dewormer then rotate so less likely to build resistance or at least it takes a longer time to.

 

[Mosey2003]

Pumpkin has been scientifically tested and proven NOT to be of any benefit in regard to parasites. Ten million "natural" blogs can claim otherwise if they like, but it doesn't make it true. Pumpkin won't hurt, but it's not doing anything against parasites.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not concerned that my chickens have worms, but I did read the other day that chickens should be dewormed (not sure if that's the correct term, someone please correct me if I'm wrong) every once in a while as a preventive measure. I once read that incorporating pumpkin seeds and such into their diet would help prevent them, so that's what I've always done. However, I'm now thinking that I should do something else. I honestly don't know much about worming chickens, so my questions are:

-Does just feeding them pumpkin seeds really work, or have I just been lucky?
-Do I have to deworm them every once in a while, even if they don't have them?
-If so, what type of dewormer do you use/recommend? (I like to keep an organic flock)
-Do I have to stop eating/hatching eggs for a certain time period after deworming them?
-And is there anything else I should know?
Thank you! (can't believe I missed this important piece of info in all my years of chicken keeping )

-Does just feeding them pumpkin seeds really work, or have I just been lucky?
Pumpkin seed and pumpkin make a wonderful treat for chickens, mine love them! There's nothing wrong with offering it. But, imho, pumpkin seeds do not prevent worms.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/the-truth-about-chickens-pumpkin-seeds/

-Do I have to deworm them every once in a while, even if they don't have them?
Getting a fecal float is the best way to determine if you have worms or not. Ask your vet if they are willing to test some fresh samples for you. It's important to know if you do have worms and what type you have (if any). This information will help you give the correct dewormer if needed.

If your vet won't test, you have some options - you can send samples through the mail through services like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Reptiles-Rabbits-Turtles-Collect-Sample/dp/B000J5SOZ4

You can also contact your state lab to see if they offer services as well. Each state lab system is different, but it's worth a call to find out https://azvdl.arizona.edu/

-If so, what type of dewormer do you use/recommend? (I like to keep an organic flock)
See the above information.
If you have an organic flock, you may not find a suitable dewormer. Most are chemical based. As far as I know there is only one on the market that is "approved" for use in poultry and that is Safeguard Aquasol, it's very expensive, but it likely will not fit the "organic" category
https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/product/poultry/Safe-Guard-AquaSol/1

-Do I have to stop eating/hatching eggs for a certain time period after deworming them?
With dewormers, most people do practice an egg throw away period since there is a possibility of medication residue in eggs. You will have to research that on your own and find a timeline that you feel most comfortable with. A lot of the same anthelmintics
used in animals are used for treatment in humans, the biggest thing you would need to know is if you, your family or others are allergic to the medication when consuming eggs/meat.
Again, you will need to do some research to find timelines to suit your needs, here's some info from Farad to get you started
www.farad.org/publications/digests/122015EggResidue.pdf
www.farad.org/publications/miscellaneous/LayingHensEggResidues.pdf

Hope this helps.