Do you need to worm if no signs are present?

[foreverhome]

We don't get to know where our hens are from to stop vigilante animal rights going there and setting them all free....they tend to not want the publicity at all because it still doesn't look good for them that despite still laying, the hens are disposed of after 18months.....mine are laying every day

Yes, that makes sense. I wonder if they are saving money or breaking even. Some factory farms here in the uppermidwest are well hidden but many are easy to find. Guess they don't feel too threatened....

 

[kynewbchickie]

I'm a little late to this party, but as a horse owner (and my coop is at the horse barn) I feel the need to relay that our vet has actually had us stop preventative worming of our horses - commercial wormers are becoming less and less effective because people are worming unnecessarily and the worms are developing resistance to what is currently available. We do fecal's three times a year, and have been worm and wormer free for a little over three years.

We looked into DE for the horses, but there's honestly not enough conclusive information out there for us to merit having it added to our feed mix.

Our vet has issued the same warning for our area (Central/Eastern KY) for the same reasons - a LOT of local horses have resistant parasites now and are suffering as such.

Overuse of any medication will induce resistance - this is the main problem humans are facing now with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that are killing people and have no cure (MRSA, VRE, CRE to name a few). I'm of the belief, through working for a vet that had avian training years ago, that a fresh fecal sample in the fall and spring from your flock is the BEST way to go in deciding whether to use a wormer or not. If something comes up, treat it accordingly. If not, use the natural preventatives...chances are, they're probably already on many people's "treat list" for their flocks: squash/zucchini, pumpkin, carrot, garlic, ACV "with the mother," etc. All these are things chickens love to snack on anyway, so it's a win-win preventative.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Our vet has issued the same warning for our area (Central/Eastern KY) for the same reasons - a LOT of local horses have resistant parasites now and are suffering as such.

Overuse of any medication will induce resistance - this is the main problem humans are facing now with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that are killing people and have no cure (MRSA, VRE, CRE to name a few). I'm of the belief, through working for a vet that had avian training years ago, that a fresh fecal sample in the fall and spring from your flock is the BEST way to go in deciding whether to use a wormer or not. If something comes up, treat it accordingly. If not, use the natural preventatives...chances are, they're probably already on many people's "treat list" for their flocks: squash/zucchini, pumpkin, carrot, garlic, ACV "with the mother," etc. All these are things chickens love to snack on anyway, so it's a win-win preventative.

I suffer from a very rare disease, and have VRE. And after spending 3 long years in hospital I can tell you that while modern drugs could not cure me, they kept me alive long enough to give my body chance to recuperate . I have always believed in natural therapies, but when you need drugs there is no substitute. We have 8 horses, one of our geldings is 33 yrs old. Our vet has always recommended rotational worming to prevent the worms from building up resistance. I find that it is also a little easier to see the symptoms of worms in horses . That being said all of the animals at "inlet Farm" 2 and 4 legged enjoy there daily dose of apple cider vinegar. I have 25 litres in the shed.

 

[delisha]

Quote: I am also from your area..we have a wisconsin byc too..

Quote: great post

 

[juststruttin]

I started out using DE because I read some good things about it, but I have stopped using it with my chickens. I know I will probably catch holy h-*&$ from all the diehard DE fans but I do not believe it works as claimed. Also, I have been doing additional reading and searching and find that DE is hazardous if inhaled for me and the hens, and subjects us both to respiratory infections, so I have decided the risks far outweigh any benefit that may have been provided. Just my two cents worth. That and two bucks will get you a cup of coffee.

X2

 

[TREX]

Our vet has issued the same warning for our area (Central/Eastern KY) for the same reasons - a LOT of local horses have resistant parasites now and are suffering as such.

Overuse of any medication will induce resistance - this is the main problem humans are facing now with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that are killing people and have no cure (MRSA, VRE, CRE to name a few). I'm of the belief, through working for a vet that had avian training years ago, that a fresh fecal sample in the fall and spring from your flock is the BEST way to go in deciding whether to use a wormer or not. If something comes up, treat it accordingly. If not, use the natural preventatives...chances are, they're probably already on many people's "treat list" for their flocks: squash/zucchini, pumpkin, carrot, garlic, ACV "with the mother," etc. All these are things chickens love to snack on anyway, so it's a win-win preventative.

Do pumpkin seeds need to be raw or can they be cooked or roasted?And will they eat them with the shell on? My ladies are finicky sometimes.

 

[Mehjr10]

My chickens eat all the pumpkin down to the hard shell, just bust it open and let them at it.. The got two truckloads after Halloween that lasted until February. They still get wormed also.

 

[TREX]

My chickens eat all the pumpkin down to the hard shell, just bust it open and let them at it.. The got two truckloads after Halloween that lasted until February. They still get wormed also.

I buy pumpkins ever year to cook down for pie and roast the seeds.Guess I'll grab some extras this coming season.I saved some seeds from last year to plant too so I'll put those out in the garden and see if I can get a few that way too.Til then I guess I could try squash? Anybody know if acorn squash works as well as pumpkin?

 

[LDev]

I reckon they only get about £1 ($1.50) a hen so a nominal fee, doubt there is any profit, will only go towards paying for their next batch...

 

[LDev]

I am also from your area..we have a wisconsin byc too..
great post

My hens will be getting their faecal egg counts done next week (getting trained to do it myself!) to check the wormer has worked, i will then do regular checks and only dose them if necessary. Garlic wil be a regular additive to their water in the meantime.......at least they won't get any bother from the vampires;-)