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hmm- must you? no, you do not have to do anything.
why? If your chickens have any free ranging, they will be exposed to parasites, and accumulate them. If they live in cages off the ground, they have minimal exposure. Are you the type that likes to see a problem and react to it, or the type that practice preventative medicine (ie do you put flea control on your cat/dog year round, or treat for fleas only when you see them and their buddies the tapeworms).
When? Most people deworm during the winter months when egg production is down. If you have a bad parasite problem in your flock, you may need to do it more often.
Can you tell if they have worms? Having a fecal (or group fecal) done at a vet's will easily identify round worms (the vet sees eggs under the scope, not the worms). Tapeworms are easier for you to see, they look like cous cous on the outside of the feces. Diarrhea can be a sign of parasites, but not always. If your flock has a heavy parasite load, you may see worms or clumps of worms passing in the feces.
What you use depends on what you have in your flock. Tapeworms can be killed by praziquantel containing products. Lots of things will kill roundworm species. Wazine (piperazine) is the only on I am aware of that actually is labeled for chickens (meat birds). None of the products commonly used (albendazole, fenbendazole, ivermectin(s), praziquantel, piperazine ect) are labeled for laying hens. IE, no published withdrawal times. People use them, but it is at your own risk, do not sell eggs if you use these products.
Where to get these? Feed stores, on line medical supply, veterinarian. Many ways to obtain.
