Do you need to worm if no signs are present?

[ChickensAreSweet]

I deworm twice a year after finding a worm in an egg once.


If you ever see a worm in an egg it is a life-changing experience.

However, if I had no worm problems I wouldn't bother worming because I do notice that my hens suffer a bit with the wormers.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

You could look into PREVENTING wormers. Natural things like carrots and Garlic.
I have a recipe for making a supposed monthly "wormer" but I think it is just a Preventative. If you want I can post it and you can have a go.
Personally I haven't used it yet but do intend on doing it.

 

[fowlsessed]

I agree, everyone has an opinion-and is entitled to it-but what it really comes down to is the science, that's where all opinions are quieted and truth is to be found. I don't know exactly why, since they are still picking up some parasites, but free-ranging birds-completely free-ranging- have had no problem with getting lousy and show no adverse effects from worms, in my experience. The parasite exposure, and then picked up load, the chickens are subject to when living in a pen and running over and over their feces may just be to large for them to cope with. Keep in mind that most wormers just relax the worms grip so it passes through, it will be picked right up again if the ground is not treated to kill them.

 

[fowlsessed]

And, there are different parasite infestations that affect different birds in different ways. I would very strongly recommend a fecal test and proceed accordingly. I'm all for natural worming alternatives, but get an initial test done to be sure the birds are infected, then after treatment, get another test done to see if it was effective. And if you use the natural things as a preventative, then still get the birds tested to make sure it's working.

 

[StephieSky]

Yes please! Post it
My chickens are confirmed to be wormy. So I'll have to keep on top of that with a scheduled worming while rotating the wormers to prevent resistant worms. I've also got to be concious its in the soil around here everywhere now .. dang it!

I'm looking for prevention methods and recipes I can use while using the wormers in the hopes I'll eventually have the problem under control and any future feathered pets ( or for that matter all pets ) will have less natural exposure and thus more options to explore prevention methods.

Thanks so much !

 

[BJPittman]

Ground flax seed from Murry McMurray seems to keep mine healthy and it's not poison. There is my two cents worth after two years of healthy chicks. ;-)

 

[StephieSky]

Ground flax seed from Murry McMurray seems to keep mine healthy and it's not poison. There is my two cents worth after two years of healthy chicks. ;-)

Nice. I found this for myself: ( I'm constantly piddling about with my chickens & cats in the garden & dirt )
First, you will eat about a handful of raw pumpkin seeds. Try to eat at least 15 pumpkin seeds. Right after that you will take a teaspoon of powdered flax seed or ground flax seed that has been ground up into a powder with a coffee grinder and mix it into a glass of water or juice. Only mix flax seed into something cold. Never mix flax seed with something that is hot. Why, because it expends very quickly and you may not want to drink it after that. Now, as soon as you mix the flax seed into the glass of water or juice, drink it. Make sure you drink it all. That's it!
Now, let me tell you how it will work. Pumpkin seeds and flax seeds are two natural ingredients and are both very healthy for you. The pumpkin seeds will temporarily paralyze the parasite. And, the flax seed is a natural laxative that will expel the paralyzed parasite. You need both of them for this to work. So, take a small dose of this for two weeks once a day and, you should be feeling much better. Also, don't forget to drink lots of water during the day so that you can expel the parasites.
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I'm seeing pumpkin and squash seed in the worming threads too, so it makes sense. I'll try it first, though I'm almost sure I don't have worms too it'll be a relief to do something just in case. I'll start feeding a few pumpkin seeds and some flax powder to the animals too.

Thanks!

 

[fowlsessed]

Matter of fact, daunting as it may be, most people not consuming something that deals with them are infected with parasites, really! Do the research for yourself and see! But if it's not really serious and not a really dangerous kind, you often wouldn't even know it. However, they most often do have mildly adverse affects and should be dealt with.

 

[cary 1973]

I think it also matters where you live, I talked to my vet and he said not a necessity living in the dry desert we don't get a lot of what others get not that we cant but its normally not a prob if there habitat is keep clean ext. I always say if you have the ability to talk to local experience vet talk to them for me am trying to keep my girls as natural as possible and don't want to give them poison if not needed but to each there own they know what is best for them

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I think it also matters where you live, I talked to my vet and he said not a necessity living in the dry desert we don't get a lot of what others get not that we cant but its normally not a prob if there habitat is keep clean ext. I always say if you have the ability to talk to local experience vet talk to them for me am trying to keep my girls as natural as possible and don't want to give them poison if not needed but to each there own they know what is best for them

This makes a great deal of sense. I live in Ohio, and all kinds of parasites and diseases LOVE it here--the combination of hot, humid summers and only mildly cold winters means that there's nothing to slow most pests down.

For instance, it's practically impossible to grow an organic peach in Ohio. You'll get peach leaf curl, and your tree will die. But in other states, other areas--peach leaf curl isn't endemic and it simply isn't a problem. There are lots of other diseases like that in Ohio, too.

And we get lots of fun poultry parasites, as well as wonderful external parasites from wild birds.