Do It Yourself, Non Prescription Dewormer/Deworming

[CrimsonIdol]

Thank you for the responses. I will not make any attempt to holistically prevent parasites in my chickens, other than keeping their environment clean. Should I discover worms, I will treat them with this:

https://www.jefferspet.com/poultry-...5EAQYBCABEgKpbvD_BwE&idsku=91749&skuId=111982

I may just buy a bottle and keep it on hand for peace of mind.

 

[Cheryli]

Hello friends,

I know there are a million threads on deworming, but my question is pretty specific. First of all, my chickens don't have any visible worms or problems. This is about preventative maintenance, though I'm sure at some point in the future I'll have to deal with actual worms, so I wouldn't mind insight on that as well.

Problem: In the US, it seems I can't get a de-wormer specific to chickens without visiting an avian vet (or using google-fu and some off brand horse or goat product), and I don't have any avian vets within 100 miles. Furthermore, if there's something that works that isn't a drug, even if I did have a vet that would write me a prescription, I'd probably opt for that.

Anecdote: my sweet sweet hound dog was having anal gland problems. He kept "butt juicing" as we politely referred to it, almost every night in the middle of the night, and the entire room smelled like a can of tuna that had been out in the summer sun for a week. Anyway, I found some stuff on amazon that is basically pressed pumpkin pulp and psyllium husk, and one of those a day has COMPLETELY fixed the problem. Call my cynical, but I have a suspicion that if I took my hound to a vet and told them he was butt juicing every single night, chances are I would at the least have been pumping him with steroids and antibiotics, and more likely would have been footing the bill for a procedure to remove his anal glands. I prefer to keep things simple.

ANYWHO:

Is there an easy to administer, universally available, tried and true de-wormer that anyone here has experience with/recommends? One option is adding something to the water supply, but I've tried that a couple times with ACV and flock booster type powders, and the chickens just won't drink the water if I put any other stuff in it. And, the dosage seems completely dependent on how much they drink from that, and whether they're also drinking from other sources. Anyway, I've found some things on Amazon, and I have no idea of they're legit or snake oil. Specifically, I found a bottle of compressed tablets that contains garlic, wormwood, pumpkin seed, papaya, black walnut, clove powder, aloe vera, berberine. It's $20 for 100. I'm thinking about pulling the trigger. This would be exactly what I'm looking for, if it works - something I feed directly to my chickens rather than mixing in with their water. But I don't know if it's something I would be giving to them once a month, once a week... Next best would be something I could sprinkle on their food for 1 day, so I could visually confirm it had been eaten at the end of the day.

My backyard flock is only 3 chickens (RIP Hennifer), and fenced. It's just the 3 chickens and my hound dog, then whatever coons and possums pass through the yard at night, and the occasional wild bird eating their chicken feed crumbs.

I've had chickens for a little over 2 years, and I have never administered any type of de-wormer, natural or otherwise. I have never had any worm issues. But if it were to ever come up, I would feel horribly negligent for having not taken any preventative care. All they get is layer crumbles and garden-hose water from 3 waterers, changed out once a week. Occasionally they get some cherry tomatoes and sunflower seeds.

Man, that post kind of got out of control. What I'm asking is if anyone has a product they've used consistently for a long period of time and has kept their flock worm free, be that a water additive, a powder they sprinkle on the chicken feed a regular intervals, or a tablet they feed to individual chickens at specific intervals. I'm curious what has worked in the real world.

Thank you for reading my post.

I'm not sure if this helps. It seems to be a waste to put anything in the chickens water. I have 3 hens and 4 pullets. I have been making an oatmeal mash made with:
100% whole grain oats cooked using 2 adults serving with half of the water. After cooking and cooled down. Thin the mash to a slightly runny consistancy. I add 1 teaspoon honey, 1 pack Sav-A-Chick prebiotic, 1/8 tsp Blue Ribbon poultry electrolytes to the mash each week. I also make this mash to give my chickens on hot days. I only add PetArmor 7 for small dogs 6 to 25 pounds. de-wormer (1 tablet crushed for 2 weeks) and any other meds as needed. My chicks love the mash

 

[Sic]

You might find this information useful. From NIH - Review of herbal medicine works in the avian species.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8743764/

also from other anthelmintic research,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9924796/#b94

but not poultry specific so caution before using: From this list below I use black caraway, papaya, pomegranate, embelia, asparagus, white clover, squash, nutmeg, mentha, sainfoin, coriander. These are just a few of the plants and herbs that are included in their daily diet as I make my own food. Their drinking water has spirulina and extract of usnea longissima lichen. All my poultry are unvaccinated and unmedicated and have never been ill, I could just be extremely lucky in that I live very remote on an island, who knows.

Tulsi​	Ocimum sanctum Linn. Family-Lamiaceae​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms or death.​	Carvacrol, Caryophyllene, Eugenol, Linalool, Urosolic acid, etc.91​
Chinaberry tree​	Melia azedarach, Family- Meliaceae​	Reacting with free proteins reduces the nutrients availability, thus larval death occurs due to starvation, or React with glycoproteins in the larval cuticle, causing death.​	Spathulenol, Quercetin, Astragalin, 1,7,8-Trihydroxy-2-naphtaldehyde etc.92​
Papaya​	Carica papaya, Family-Caricaceae​	Killing the parasite worms by eosinophils, attack on structural protein of parasite nematodes.​	Papain, Cystatin, Chymopapain, Ascorbic acid, Tocopherol.93​
Black caraway​	Nigella sativa, Family-Ranunculaceae​	Inhibiting the antioxidant enzymes thus produces a defense mechanism towards the oxidants generated by the parasitic nematode.​	Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, Palmitic acid, p-cymene, Carvacrol, Thymol, α-Pinene.94​
Sohphlang​	Flemingia vestita, Family-Leguminosae​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms or death.​	Formononetin, Genistein, Daidzein, Pseudobaptigenin.95​
Walnut​	Juglans regia, Family-Juglandaceae​	It binds with the free protein of GIT of the host or interferes in energy generation of helminths, causing death of parasites.​	Stearic acid, Palmitic acid, alpha Linolenic acid, Oleic acid, Catechin, Tannins.96​
Mimusops​	Mimusops elengi, Family-Sapotaceae​	Denaturation of proteins, produce defense mechanism, damages reactive oxygen species (ROS) properties.​	Ursolic acid, Spinasterol, Taraxerol etc.97​
Pomegranate​	Punica granatum Family-Punicaceae.​	Inhibit transformation of larvae from egg, produce inflammation of epithelial cells by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ and δ-dependent mechanisms​	Ellagic acid, Cyanidin-3-glucose, Pelargonidin-3-glucose etc.98​
Embelia​	Embelia ribes, Family-Primulaceae​	Paralysis of worms and reduces fecal eggs per gram (EPG).​	Vanillic acid, Christembine, Cinnamic acid, O-cumaric acid, Embelin.99​
Epazote​	Chenopodium ambrosioides, Family-Amaranthaceae.​	Paralysis of the parasitic worms.​	Limonene, α-Terpinene p-Cymene, Camphor Thymol.100​
Piliostigma​	Piliostigma thonningii, Family-Fabaceae.​	It stimulates the neuromuscular junction of the parasite mostly and sometimes its effects to the ganglion and cause larval paralysis.​	Alepterolic acid, Anticopalic acid, Clovane-2β,9α-diol etc.101​
Asparagus​	Asparagus officinalis, Asparagus racemosus, Family-Asparagaceae.​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms or death.​	Racemosol, Asparagamine, Folic acid.102​
White clover​	Trifolium repens, Family-Fabaceae.​	Paralysis of worms and reduces EPG.​	Rutin, Quercetin, Myricetin Kaempferol.103​
Fig​	Ficus insipida, Family-Moraceae.​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms or death.​	Vomifoliol, Dihydrophaseic acid, Dehydrovomifoliol etc.104​
Squash​	Cucurbita maxima, Family-Cucurbitaceae.​	Inhibit transformation of larvae from egg, reduces EPG.​	Palmitic acid, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, β-sitosterol.105​
Ajwain​	Trachyspermum ammi, Family-Apiaceae or Umbelliferae.​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms or death.​	Thymol, α-Pinene, α-Terpinene, β-Pinene, γ-terpinene, p-cymene.106​
Cinnamon​	Cinnamomum zylanicum, Family - Lauraceae.​	Inhibition of the parasitic egg hatching inhibits the fourth stage of larvae motility.​	Eugenol, Cinnamic acid Cymene, Cinnamate.107​
Nutmeg​	Myristica fragrans, Family -Myristicaceae.​	Causing paralysis by inhibiting acetyl cholinesterase.​	Myristicin, Eugenol, Safrole, Terpinene, Myristic acid.108​
Elecampane​	Inula helenium, Family-Asteraceae.​	Inhibitory effects on process of embryo development, paralysis by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase.​	Alantolactone, Inulin, Helenin Stearoptene.109​
Clausena anisata​	Clausena anisata, Family-Rutaceae.​	Causing paralysis by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase.​	Coumarins, Linalool, Myrcene, Anethole, Lomonene etc.110​
Zanthoxylum​	Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Family-Rutaceae.​	Inhibition of the parasitic egg hatching prevents larvae from migrating.​	Lomonine, Citronellal, Myrcene, α-pinene.111​
Annona​	Annona squamosa, Family-Annonaceae.​	Inhibition of the parasitic egg hatching inhibits cell division.​	Anonain, OxophoebineIsocorydine, Reticulin.112​
False daisy​	Eclipta prostrata, Family-Asteraceae.​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms or death.​	Quercetin, β-Sitosterol, Luteoloside, Apigenin, Luteolin.113​

Turkey berry​	Solanum torvum, Family-Solanaceae.​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms, or reduces EPG.​	Quercetin, Isoquarecetin Kaempferol, Rutin etc.114​
Myrobalan​	Terminalia chebula, Family -Combretaceae.​	Interrupts in energy production by binds free protein from GI tract or oxidative phosphorylation.​	Arjungenin, Chebulin, Ellagic acid, Chebulic acid, Gallic acid.115​
Vinca​	Catharanthus roseus, Family-Apocynaceae​	Prevents polymerization of tubulin into microtubules.​	Vincristine, Vinblastine Catharanthine etc.116​
Celandine​	Chelidonium majus, Family-Papaveraceae​	Reduce ROS generation, paralysis the parasitic worms.​	Chelidonine, Sanguinarine, Caffeic acid, Protopine.117​
Mentha​	Mentha cordifolia, Family-Lamiaceae​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms or death.​	Carvone, Limonene, Menthol.118,8​
Sainfoin​	Onobrychis viciifolia, Family-Fabaceae.​	Reduce nematode excretion from GI tract, delay in egg maturation.​	Tannin, Rutin, Nicotiflorin.119​
Ashwagandha​	Withania somnifera, Family -Solanaceae​	Causing paralysis of infected parasitic worms or death.​	Withanolides, Anaferine, Sitoindoside.120​
Coriander​	Coriandrum sativum, Family - Apiaceae​	Reduce faecal egg count of worm and also inhibit the egg hatching process.​	Linalool, Camphor, Geraniol, Coumarins, Linoleic acid.121​

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Well. I posted a pic of my chickens' poop a few weeks ago bc it looked weird to me. The smart people here on BYC pointed out a visible roundworm in it and suggested a couple of options for treating them. I chose Valbazen, marketed for goats. I was told to give every chicken 1/2 ml of the liquid wormer from a syringe directly into the beak and repeat in 10 days. We did this, putting a plastic ring on the leg of each chicken as we did. After the first treatment I found a whole wad of roundworms in the poop tray the next morning. Huzzah! It worked! Ten days later we repeated the treatment, removing the rings as we went. Done.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Thank you for the responses. I will not make any attempt to holistically prevent parasites in my chickens, other than keeping their environment clean. Should I discover worms, I will treat them with this:

https://www.jefferspet.com/poultry-...5EAQYBCABEgKpbvD_BwE&idsku=91749&skuId=111982

I may just buy a bottle and keep it on hand for peace of mind.

That is the same medication as SafeGuard (fenbendazole), so it would be a good choice.

 

[nuthatched]

Get some valbzen for goats or safe guard for horses, the doses are literally everywhere on this site.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the responses. I will not make any attempt to holistically prevent parasites in my chickens, other than keeping their environment clean. Should I discover worms, I will treat them with this:

https://www.jefferspet.com/poultry-...5EAQYBCABEgKpbvD_BwE&idsku=91749&skuId=111982

I may just buy a bottle and keep it on hand for peace of mind.

If you are using Poultry Dewormer5X capsules, then read this thread in its entirety to make sure you give your hen enough capsules to deworm her.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/are-these-normal-poops.1553393/

Most Use Safeguard Liquid Goat Dewormer/Safeguard Equine Paste which can be found at TSC. OR you can order Valbazen online.

To treat Roundworms Only - Safeguard dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once, then repeated in 10 days.

To treat most worms that poultry can have except for Tapeworm -

Safeguard dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days in a row.
---OR---
Valbazen dose is 0.08ml per pound of weight given orally once, then repeated in 10 days.

 

[Goldie7]

I found a couple roundworms a few weeks ago in my Egger's poop. I went and I got the safeguard goats dewormer. I put 3 mil in the water for 5 days. Their poop and egg laying is much better. But I also read where I needed to redo it after 10 days. So I put some out in the water container again. But I keep reading different information. So what should I do now? Give it to them individually at the point .25 ml for 5 days ? And if so do I need discard eggs? I'm very concerned about getting rid of the worms but I also don't want to overdose them. Help!

 

[Goldie7]

If you are using Poultry Dewormer5X capsules, then read this thread in its entirety to make sure you give your hen enough capsules to deworm her.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/are-these-normal-poops.1553393/

Most Use Safeguard Liquid Goat Dewormer/Safeguard Equine Paste which can be found at TSC. OR you can order Valbazen online.

To treat Roundworms Only - Safeguard dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once, then repeated in 10 days.

To treat most worms that poultry can have except for Tapeworm -

Safeguard dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days in a row.
---OR---
Valbazen dose is 0.08ml per pound of weight given orally once, then repeated in 10 days.

I'm confused because there's two places in your information talking about the safeguard dosage. One says give them the 0.23 one time and then 10 days later another. Then another one says give them the point .23 for 5 days. I'm confused..

 

[CrimsonIdol]

I'm confused because there's two places in your information talking about the safeguard dosage. One says give them the 0.23 one time and then 10 days later another. Then another one says give them the point .23 for 5 days. I'm confused..

For roundworm ONLY (no other types of worms) dosage is .23 milliliters PER POUND once, and then again 10 days later. So if your chicken weighs 4 pounds, roughly 1 millileter (.92) on day 1, and then another millileter on day 10. Not .1 milliliter. Make sure you're reading your syringe correctly.