Deworming

[tinamiller1]

I am reading up on worms and saw Ivermectin is a good product and wondering if once my babies go outside I should begin every 3 months giving them the required dose based on their weight? I am looking at prevention. I also read I can give them garlic and apple cider vinegar. They are 3 weeks old today so if I should use this as preventative, does anyone know when to start them on this? They have not come in contact with anything they can get worms that I am aware of since they are in the brooder. They came from McMurray Hatchery and if there is an issue with a hen having something they will cull the entire flock in that area and clean then start fresh. They also gave my 6 babies 2 vaccinations after they hatched. I just want to be as prepared as I can be to make sure they have a great life.

 

[JaeG]

Worming constantly like you are thinking of doing actually causes parasites to build up a resistance to the drug/s used. You would need to use a variety of products to prevent resistance (so if the parasites are resistant to one type they get wiped out with another), or only worm when you think it is necessary. You can get fecal float tests done by a vet to check what the parasite load is.

Our birds are 6 years old and I've probably only wormed them twice not because I needed to, but because I thought I 'should'. It probably wasn't necessary. They can carry a certain amount of internal parasites without it affecting their health, just like us.

 

[pibb]

Apple cider vinegar does not work to prevent worms. Garlic "might" slow the worms down but still does not prevent worms.

 

[fairie]

There are a number of herbs that you can grow in your run or yard fir the chickens to eat and naturally balance their own dosage.
woormwood, tansy, garlic, rue to name a few.
The idea of using herbs, feeding herbs is to keep a good balance. The healthier your birds are the better their digestion will be and the healthier their parasite loaf will be.
I have had birds 6 years. Just got new ones that I realize came to me sick. Roundworm Now they all have drugs and I am supporting them with herbs , probiotics in the water this week and garlic in the water next week. Snacks this week are oats with yogurt. No other treats just pellets.