Deworming

[dawg53]

Do you know that your chickens have worms and what type they have?

You want to find a dewormer that is the best fit for what you're fighting.

It doesnt matter what type of worms a chicken has if you use Albendazole or Fenbendazole (Safeguard). Either product eliminates all types of poultry roundworms. I prefer Albendazole.

However, if tiny white tapeworm segments are seen in feces, use Praziquantel. Use either Equimax or Zimecterin Gold equine pastes for tapeworms.

 

[debid]

I do a preventative treatment routinely with fenbendazole because worms are such a common issue and letting the numbers build to the point you see symptoms can make it harder on the bird once you do treat from mass die off.

Curious about the mention of Albendazole as being preferred by @dawg53 . What is the advantage from your viewpoint and what product label are you choosing?

 

[Anon112]

It doesnt matter what type of worms a chicken has if you use Albendazole or Fenbendazole (Safeguard). Either product eliminates all types of poultry roundworms. I prefer Albendazole.

However, if tiny white tapeworm segments are seen in feces, use Praziquantel. Use either Equimax or Zimecterin Gold equine pastes for tapeworms.

That's fair. And I understand preventative deworming. But I do think it's worth asking if this is a "just in case" deworming or if they are seeing specific things. Like you mention, if there are tapeworms it might call for a different product.

 

[dawg53]

Everything depends on your soil conditions. Chickens constantly peck the soil and in doing so, they pick up worm eggs and swallow them. Then it starts the worms lifecycle.
Warm, moist/wet soil is worm soup. Cold, dry, or desert like soil (sand), not so much.
This is why I have sand in my pens, coops and nest boxes. It's easier to scoop and dispose of it.


Our soil here in north Florida is normally warm and moist and I usually worm my birds monthly. However, I've skipped a couple of months due to our record consecutive days of below freezing temps, and we're in a severe drought.
I'll worm my birds in early March and continue worming monthly. Spring time is worm time, like everything else coming back alive and reproducing out of cold winter.

When it comes to tapeworms, chickens must eat an infected insect.
Insects are the host for tapeworm infections. Not all insects will be tapeworm infected. It's called the 'Indirect lifecycle' of worms. Whereas with roundworms, it's called the "Direct lifecycle" of worms.