Do they ALL have worms?

[ChinoChix]

I was talking to my vet the other day about my sick chick and she has chickens and has never wormed them.
Do you just assume they DO have them and give them the worm stuff? I have owned dogs for 15 years and have done nothing but holistic stuff for them (no Frontline, no wormers, no commercial food, no revaccinating) but I am NEW to chickens and just freaking out about all of this WORM talk.
Had I known, I may have rethought this!!!!

 

[chickenzoo]

You are in a very dry area so you may not have the problems with worms like those here in the wet south do. If you keep the same birds and do not add from other people you have less chance also. Many things come into play, wild birds.... Wild animals etc etc... Other animals... What your property housed before you. Just monitor your birds for weight loss and worms in poo and go from there.

 

[RonC]

Some use DE as a wormer and is natural, no chemicals. You can also use it dust them for external parasites and in the coop/run.

 

[ChinoChix]

Thank you both. I have been using food grade DE for years to keep bugs out of my house and also around the chickens and in their food too. Mine are in a tack shed and completely enclosed run. No wild bird access. We are the first people to have chickens on this property.

 

[CAjerseychick]

Thank you both. I have been using food grade DE for years to keep bugs out of my house and also around the chickens and in their food too. Mine are in a tack shed and completely enclosed run. No wild bird access. We are the first people to have chickens on this property.

Just bought some DE from Tractor Supply (does this mean its food grade-- it says to OK to mix into feed)-- also what other wormers are out there?

 

[ChinoChix]

I think it has to say food grade on the bag. Got mine from My Chicken (but won't be ordering from THEM again)

 

[ChinoChix]

Here is the company website:
http://perma-guard.com/

 

[chickenzoo]

If it has pics of animals on it and says to mix it in feed, then it should be food grade. You want to stay away from the kind sold for pools etc... Those are not.
I don't have much luck with it, but some people say they do...... It is used as a preventative, but if your chicks get worms then chemical treatment like Safeguard goat wormer is recommended.

 

[Izzymoon]

any organic farming supply/garden center should carry food grade DE, I got mine at a store called "worms way". I got another bag from home depot that didn't say food grade, so I haven't used it on the chicks. I am kind of lucky that I do lived around farms, but seek out any place that sell Horse supplies. You could also ask your pet store to get you some.