Deworm, Cleaning Coop, Reinfest, and Egg Withdrawal... ALL OF IT! HELP!

KoaLovesChickens

In the Brooder
Feb 12, 2020
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We've got a flock of 8 and thank God only one (that we know of, confirmed, so far) has worms. We have been giving them yogurt to help with probiotics (as well as electrolytes and probiotics in their water) since we found out until we could get to the store for Safeguard. We are deworming all of them with the Safeguard (starting today) in their communal water as they all share a [big enough] space. They get minimal treats (dried mealworms maybe every other day?), they aren't bored as they have a hanging ball of cabbage/lettuce/cauliflower, radio, two roosting bars, and three nesting boxes. Eggs are collected daily and production has increased to 7-8 daily now that the sun is out for longer.

We live in northern MN and have to use the deep litter method for warmth. We use a rake as a chicken pooper scooper on the daily, but I'm looking for advice to see how you all might help with a cleaner coop. I/we work 14 hour days at least three days per week, so being there 24/7 isn't an option. It's been humid lately and the coop is vented well enough. We thought they were clean enough but obviously it wasn't. We've had them a month or two. What are we doing wrong that poor girl got sick with the yuckies? 😞

1) Cleaner poop/coop ideas? What about when giving Safeguard? How do we keep from re-infestation, or eating their poop and re-infesting themselves?

2) Safeguard egg withdrawal? 7 days? I've read there is none, 7 days, 10 days? Should I just error on the safe side?

3) How much pine shavings should I put down when I put down a new layer? We deep clean it monthly, with daily light poop cleanings, and then now since we found out it's yucky, been taking all poops out. Are we cleaning it too much? We know the poops are good for it to create good bacteria... is that why most of them are not sick with the yucks? Any ideas on cleaning with the deep litter method.

I've done TONS of research but none gives specifics for what I’m asking or I've just missed it. This is our first batch of chickens so we're learning as we go. Please be gentle. Any and all advice welcome! 😁 Help!
 
We've got a flock of 8 and thank God only one (that we know of, confirmed, so far) has worms. We have been giving them yogurt to help with probiotics (as well as electrolytes and probiotics in their water) since we found out until we could get to the store for Safeguard. We are deworming all of them with the Safeguard (starting today) in their communal water as they all share a [big enough] space. They get minimal treats (dried mealworms maybe every other day?), they aren't bored as they have a hanging ball of cabbage/lettuce/cauliflower, radio, two roosting bars, and three nesting boxes. Eggs are collected daily and production has increased to 7-8 daily now that the sun is out for longer.

We live in northern MN and have to use the deep litter method for warmth. We use a rake as a chicken pooper scooper on the daily, but I'm looking for advice to see how you all might help with a cleaner coop. I/we work 14 hour days at least three days per week, so being there 24/7 isn't an option. It's been humid lately and the coop is vented well enough. We thought they were clean enough but obviously it wasn't. We've had them a month or two. What are we doing wrong that poor girl got sick with the yuckies? 😞

1) Cleaner poop/coop ideas? What about when giving Safeguard? How do we keep from re-infestation, or eating their poop and re-infesting themselves?

2) Safeguard egg withdrawal? 7 days? I've read there is none, 7 days, 10 days? Should I just error on the safe side?

3) How much pine shavings should I put down when I put down a new layer? We deep clean it monthly, with daily light poop cleanings, and then now since we found out it's yucky, been taking all poops out. Are we cleaning it too much? We know the poops are good for it to create good bacteria... is that why most of them are not sick with the yucks? Any ideas on cleaning with the deep litter method.

I've done TONS of research but none gives specifics for what I’m asking or I've just missed it. This is our first batch of chickens so we're learning as we go. Please be gentle. Any and all advice welcome! 😁 Help!
OK - take a deep breath - relax a bit :)
@dawg53 is a worming expert - I hope he will stop by here to advise you on dosage of Safeguard etc.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/fenbendazole - this was the only helpful link I could find.
Eggs - err on the safe side - do not eat the eggs for 14 days.
I'm going to risk the wrath of many here and say that the vast majority of chickens have worms :oops:. They become a problem when there is an overload of them.
Once you have successfully wormed your girls, you should only need to do it 2x year.
Don't get too focused on keeping the coop spotless unless you are OCD!
On the other hand, if the poop is knee deep, you do need to muck it out...but it sounds like you are doing ok with your 'housekeeping' :)
 
Thank you!!! I thought the coop was clean enough but then she got sick so thought we weren’t doing a good enough job. I’ll definitely check out that link!
I’m trying to relax but really I’m just trying to do preventative maintenance so that this kind of stuff doesn’t happen, creating extra work for us. So much for that! 😂
 
Thank you!!! I thought the coop was clean enough but then she got sick so thought we weren’t doing a good enough job. I’ll definitely check out that link!
I’m trying to relax but really I’m just trying to do preventative maintenance so that this kind of stuff doesn’t happen, creating extra work for us. So much for that! 😂
:lau well, nice try! Make sure you worm all your birds - what one has they all have.
Many folks, myself included rarely worm their birds. If it becomes an issue - I worm.
Are you sure it's worms??
 
Hello :)
Yep, there were little wrigglies in her poops. 🤢 I was wondering before I found them if she had them because she's had bum problems prior to and then I found the worms. Sure as sh*t, she has the worms.
I will be worming all of them, to err on the safe side!
I didn't want to have to worm them, and would/will rarely do it, unless it becomes an issue again. I'm guessing we'll have to re-invent our coop or figure something else out. Something wasn't working... Story of my life!

Any suggestions for giving the dose? I'll be giving individually... do I just shove it down their throat?! lol
 
Hello :)
Yep, there were little wrigglies in her poops. 🤢 I was wondering before I found them if she had them because she's had bum problems prior to and then I found the worms. Sure as sh*t, she has the worms.
I will be worming all of them, to err on the safe side!
I didn't want to have to worm them, and would/will rarely do it, unless it becomes an issue again. I'm guessing we'll have to re-invent our coop or figure something else out. Something wasn't working... Story of my life!

Any suggestions for giving the dose? I'll be giving individually... do I just shove it down their throat?! lol
I believe you can put it in the water, but I'm told they may not drink sufficient to do the job. I would medicate each one. This may be helpful for you:
.
Have fun :D
 
I mix laying mash, sunflower seeds, scratch and DE in my feed barrels and thats what they get besides running around the acres. DE controls most problems.
 

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