Dealing with Parasitic Worms, Kids and Gardens

[Alisa]

Hi! We have 5 girls in our suburban yard. They've got a nice coop and run, but we've allowed to free range several hours a day. We just adopted a rescue puppy that was diagnosed with roundworms. The puppy is in a seperate area from the chickens and we are taking care of worming her, but I'm wondering if dog roundworms can infect chickens and vice versa. I've never wormed our chickens, as I've never seen any problems. However, after doing quite a bit of reading after our puppy was diagnosed, I've come to learn that roundworms are quite common in chickens and that roundworm eggs can live in the soil for up to 7 years! The fact that adult roundworms can make their way into a hens egg almost did me in! I've thought about having a fecal exam to check, but with 5 hens I don't know if the test would be very accurate - what if one had them and the rest didn't? It also sounds like if they don't have them now, they can get them from bird droppings, so this seems like an ongoing problem I need to manage.

My concerns are two-fold - since I've let them free range a bit, the kids to play in the dirt and kids are kids when it comes to putting their hands in their mouths, I'm worried about them becoming infected. I've read that roundworms can be especially dangerous in humans as they form cysts in the eyes that can cause blindness.

Secondly, I've been composting the pine shavings from the coop for my garden and have put the overflow of shavings directly in the garden for composting. I'm worried that I may be growing a nice roundworm laden vegetable garden - how lovely!

Since the eggs can live for 7 years, it seems like I should never put any shavings from the coop on my garden and that I should put an end to the free ranging in the yard. Beyond doing a better safe than sorry couple rounds of worming for the girls, what to do about the free ranging and the garden? What should I use to worm the girls and how often does this need to be done?

AHHHHHH!
Alisa
Mom to 3 boys, 1 wormy puppy
and 5 potentially wormy chickens in Oregon

 

[HennysMom]

From my understanding - all chickens have worms and most animals and humans as well (sorry, know its going to freak you out)

All soil contains worms as well and yes, dogs can get roundworms and hookworms from contaminated soil - not just yours but anywhere they go or anywhere YOU go and bring home. there is nothing you can do to prevent worms in the soil other than pick up the feces of your dog and dont allow other dogs to come into your yard to do their business. You will never eliminate the worms in the soil however, they're there to stay, its just a Mother Nature thing according to my vet. My dog would get them often - but you can put your pup on a preventative such as HeartGuard Plus that will prevent all the worms and self-worm once a month.

If you medicate your chickens and worm them - remember you cannot (or so I'm told) eat the eggs while they are on certain medications for some time. If you're that concerned about worms, try using some Food Grade Diatomaecious Earth, it serves lots of purposes - from chickens, to dogs, to household uses (fleas, ticks, insects, worms, etc). Do a search on here for DE or food grade DE. Just make sure if you get it it clearly states FOOD GRADE as anything else will be fatal.

As for the garden - for years people have (and continue to) put manure in their gardens and crops to help them grow and feed the soil - most farmers do it even today in big corporate farms. I really dont think its going to hurt you to put your chicken droppings, once dried, into your compost and compost them down before putting into your garden.

 

[Faverolle]

Quote:
The roundworms that are found in chickens and dogs are different types. They are both ascarids however. I have read contradicting information regarding the passing from one to the other but I do think it is probable.

I have fecal exams done on my dogs at least once a year and generally treat them with Drontal. As far as the chickens go I usually treat my birds during the late fall/early winter when egg production slows and then follow up a couple weeks later with another treatment. In more warmer climates you would more likely then not have to treat the chickens more often. As far as the children go I would keep after them about proper handwashing. I use the litter from the coop in all my gardens.

 

[Faverolle]

Another strange thing, and quite disgusting is the fact that people would purposely swallow the worms with hope of loosing weight. This was done even fairly recently like the 1930's-40's.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
umm..dont give me any ideas now....

 

[Faverolle]

Quote:
umm..dont give me any ideas now....

LOL

 

[HennysMom]

I'll drink slim-fast for life before I even THINK of doing such a thing, and have you TRIED slim-fast?! LOL

 

[redhen]

Quote:
yeah..i'd rather the worms...

i bet they work better too!

 

[Faverolle]

Quote:
When I was younger I would drink my mom's chocolate slimfast sometimes if there was nothing in the house to satisfy my chocolate craving. She used to say I would eat/drink anything. Could this be why?

LOL

 

[Alisa]

What wormer do I use? Every produce I see says it's NOT for egg laying chickens. What about the roundworm eggs on the garden given that what I read says they live for 7 years? Sounds like the girls are going to be sequestered in their run from now on!

Carrots with roundworm eggs anyone?
Thanks!
Alisa