Deworm or Not to Deworm

[lazy gardener]

I'm with RR. My opinion is that there is no need to treat, unless there is an issue that needs to be treated. As for the "issue" of worms: We need to be aware that internal parasites are not an issue if it's a light load. A common statement is: 10% of the animals in a flock or herd will carry 90% of the parasites. IMO, if we continually cull the weaker animals from our flocks, we will be removing the parasite carriers. Now, I realize that my "chickens are livestock" management is vastly different than the "chickens are pets" management style. So, it comes down to an individual decision based on the flock owner's goals.

As for Cassport's ?: If I found a pile of poo full of round worms, I would have to take other factors into consideration: How is the flock acting? Are there any birds that I should have already culled? If the answer to the latter question is Yes, that would be my first step (along with a thorough dissection of intestines and amateur autopsy looking for abnormalities). I would then probably go the herbal approach first, followed by a fecal float with a good cross flock representation of poo. Then... based on results of that... I'd make the decision to treat or not to treat.

Also, if internal parasites were found, I'd have to take a close look at my management practices: What do I need to change up to provide a healthier environment? Decrease flock size? Perhaps move birds to a new temporary run, giving the old run time to "rest".

 

[artsyrobin]

regular fecals, then worm depending on what the fecal shows, not all worms will be seen in poop, but can do tremendous damage, even paralysis and death- and some symptoms mimic merecks- so it is a must - have a friend that lost a hen, vet was sure was mereks, nope it was parasites - i have lost house birds that had never been outside to parasites- thread worm which you can't see in poop- so do get checks done, there are places online to send poop too, regular vet can do them and you can learn to do them yourself, its not that expensive to have the supplies to do it, even little usb microscopes can be used, i got all i needed to do my own for under $60

 

[casportpony]

regular fecals, then worm depending on what the fecal shows, not all worms will be seen in poop, but can do tremendous damage, even paralysis and death- and some symptoms mimic merecks- so it is a must - have a friend that lost a hen, vet was sure was mereks, nope it was parasites - i have lost house birds that had never been outside to parasites- thread worm which you can't see in poop- so do get checks done, there are places online to send poop too, regular vet can do them and you can learn to do them yourself, its not that expensive to have the supplies to do it, even little usb microscopes can be used, i got all i needed to do my own for under $60

Have you seen this thread?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doing-fecal-floats-at-home.1047614/

 

[WILIFORD]

Seeing this topic is all over the board, I will give my input. My best statement is, I never, but constantly deworm my chickens. To clarify, from day one I have added a small amount of apple cider vinegar to their water system and have never needed to deworm my chickens. From my research ACV is supposed to raise the ph in their body just enough that parasites and such can not exist, I don't add enough that it cause any harm to the chickens. ACV also prevents algae growth in their water system and it is supposed to aid with lice and mite control. I can't really elaborate on that aspect, except to say I have not had a problem with either one in 2 years. I did post a thread about a month ago (with photos) on how to build a waterer that allows me to control the water to vinegar ratio and only has to be refilled every month and half to two months.

 

[MichelleT]

Have you seen this thread?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doing-fecal-floats-at-home.1047614/

Hmmm... the fecal float at home idea I like. I work at a high school and have access to microscopes so I'm going to have to read up on (and order) what I need to do this at home/work. I like this idea!

 

[artsyrobin]

Hmmm... the fecal float at home idea I like. I work at a high school and have access to microscopes so I'm going to have to read up on (and order) what I need to do this at home/work. I like this idea!

i am learning reading them, a vet tech friend is teaching me- i actually use a little usb scope, but want a better one some day- but it is enough to get a good idea of what is going on- i think it would help people alot to do them more often- say a hen is acting off, you can see more than parasites, you can pick up yeast and if the have crop stasis etc

@casportpony yes i have seen it- the more we can do ourselves the better

 

[casportpony]

Hmmm... the fecal float at home idea I like. I work at a high school and have access to microscopes so I'm going to have to read up on (and order) what I need to do this at home/work. I like this idea!

@KsKingBee is the BYC expert on at home fecals.

 

[Folly's place]

There's no reason to worm your flock unless there's illness connected with heavy intestinal parasite loads, and the several things apply;
Management, are there problems with the environment, feeding, etc.
Fecal tests run to ID the parasites involved.
What wormers? Given that in the USA there's just about nothing effective and approved for laying hens. Nothing. So 'egg withdrawals' are pure speculation, based on wishful thinking, and don't apply here.
Fortunately, most/ many of use are NOT dealing with heavy worm loads causing illness in our chickens (not true of turkeys!) so we are mostly in the clear.
My last fecal, run on two two year old birds, was negative.
Coccidiosis is treatable here with amprolium, fortunately. Hasn't been a problem in my flock either.
Flocks in the warm humid south will have more issues, most likely. Mary

 

[Beer can]

Sorry but I got a giggle out of this. I know this is a serious matter but your first two responses were such totally different opinions. That’s pretty common on here, you can get some widely different opinions on practically anything. We all have our own reasons for which way we go about this. Those reasons are valid to the person going that route.

My general philosophy is to not treat for anything unless I have something to treat. I regularly butcher my chickens throughout the year, I’ll put some cockerels in the freezer next week. I always open some intestines looking for roundworms or tapeworms. I haven’t found any yet so my chickens have never been treated for roundworms or tapeworms. Whenever I handle a chicken I check the vent area for mites or lice. I regularly check at night for roost mites. Since I’ve never found any I haven’t treated them yet. That could change today. If I did regularly find something my methods would change.

It’s a good question, trying to determine what other people do and why. Ultimately you will have to develop your own philosophy and management methods because this is just opinion. You will have to decide what is right for you.

Same here. I've actually been recently checking processed birds cause I've never wormed either. Always healthy birds. Never any bugs mites or lice either, guess we've been lucky.

 

[Beer can]

Yesterday I found a pile of poop with worms in it. Only two hens roost there, so it's gotta be one of them. Both hens look and act just fine.

Question for everyone to think about. What would you do if you found such a poo? There is no wrong answer, I'm just curious as to how you would deal with it.

What would I do? Freak out for one
And then immediately get on BYC and ask YOUR advice and treat accordingly.