As if this thread isn't long enough already...I want to add to it with MORE questions.
To begin with, I looked at this thread because I want to find out how to treat my flock of bantam and standard chickens for roundworm (I think). I found a "poo" in the coop this morning that had what looked liked Angel Hair pasta in it...not the flat worm that breaks into little rice-like pieces, but a long, thin, round strand of pasta-colored worm. Roundworm, right? (That is the first question)
This thread has A LOT of information, but it gets very confusing because people are talking about treating external parasites (like mites and lice) as well as internal parasites. There is conflicting information/opinions on what the best medicine is to use (assuming you want to go with a medicine). I found it confusing to understand the dosage - amounts, method of delivery (orally, in their water, injected, paste, drops on their skin...and doesn't it matter if you treating for internal versus external???), frequency of dosage (once...and then again in XXX weeks/days, 3 days in a row, ....??? Use something completely different the second time), and whether or not to eat the eggs (both human consumption as well as feeding them back to your chicken - I have read people's comments that feeding the "medicated" eggs back to the chickens only increases the withdrawal period because you are reintroducing the medication back into the bird), and what about the pharmaceutical companies warnings that a particular medicine should not be given to chickens that provide meat or eggs to humans...how many of us have chickens just to look at? Do they mean that if I give a certain med to a chicken, I can NEVER eat that chicken's eggs or that chicken (meat)...ever?
What would be lovely would be a description of each type of parasite (internal and external) - ideally with pictures - how the chicken gets the parasite (i.e. from eating flies), what the medicine is that best treats it (or what to start with, and then what to use next time), exact dosage (amount, method of delivery, frequency of dosage, requirement for re-dosing, and withdrawal period for eggs), where to get that medicine (online sources, retail sources), as well as the info for other options, side effects, homeopathic remedies (or preventative methods).
Probably too much to ask!! But there are so many threads on "worms" and so many opinions it is really difficult to follow. I thought I knew what to do for this roundworm thing, but then wondered if the reply I was reading was for external parasites.
SO - I have never treated my flock for worms, but I have used Ivermectin (POUR-ON for Cattle - contains 5mg ivermectin per mL - blue liquid, dosage says use 1mL per 22lb of weight), for mites and lice (put a few drops on the back of their necks), I do use DE sporadically in their coop and a bit in their food. Should I use this same stuff for roundworm? Do I treat everyone? Do I put it in their water and let everyone drink from it? If so, how much per gallon? If not, how do I give it to 50-odd birds? Do I put drops on their skin? I'm so confused!! And heck, do I really need to get rid of the eggs - and if so, for HOW LONG?? Has anyone had a reaction worse that a rash for a few hours?
Oh - and if this is roundworm, do I need to clean out the coop AGAIN once I am done dosing? I just got rid of all the straw and added new today (did a complete coop scrub about 3 weeks ago)...does it matter? Will any eggs or adult worms that are in their poo be problematic to my treatment?
Love the website - love the advice - I just need clarity and simplicity! Sorry. And THANK YOU!
To begin with, I looked at this thread because I want to find out how to treat my flock of bantam and standard chickens for roundworm (I think). I found a "poo" in the coop this morning that had what looked liked Angel Hair pasta in it...not the flat worm that breaks into little rice-like pieces, but a long, thin, round strand of pasta-colored worm. Roundworm, right? (That is the first question)
This thread has A LOT of information, but it gets very confusing because people are talking about treating external parasites (like mites and lice) as well as internal parasites. There is conflicting information/opinions on what the best medicine is to use (assuming you want to go with a medicine). I found it confusing to understand the dosage - amounts, method of delivery (orally, in their water, injected, paste, drops on their skin...and doesn't it matter if you treating for internal versus external???), frequency of dosage (once...and then again in XXX weeks/days, 3 days in a row, ....??? Use something completely different the second time), and whether or not to eat the eggs (both human consumption as well as feeding them back to your chicken - I have read people's comments that feeding the "medicated" eggs back to the chickens only increases the withdrawal period because you are reintroducing the medication back into the bird), and what about the pharmaceutical companies warnings that a particular medicine should not be given to chickens that provide meat or eggs to humans...how many of us have chickens just to look at? Do they mean that if I give a certain med to a chicken, I can NEVER eat that chicken's eggs or that chicken (meat)...ever?
What would be lovely would be a description of each type of parasite (internal and external) - ideally with pictures - how the chicken gets the parasite (i.e. from eating flies), what the medicine is that best treats it (or what to start with, and then what to use next time), exact dosage (amount, method of delivery, frequency of dosage, requirement for re-dosing, and withdrawal period for eggs), where to get that medicine (online sources, retail sources), as well as the info for other options, side effects, homeopathic remedies (or preventative methods).
Probably too much to ask!! But there are so many threads on "worms" and so many opinions it is really difficult to follow. I thought I knew what to do for this roundworm thing, but then wondered if the reply I was reading was for external parasites.
SO - I have never treated my flock for worms, but I have used Ivermectin (POUR-ON for Cattle - contains 5mg ivermectin per mL - blue liquid, dosage says use 1mL per 22lb of weight), for mites and lice (put a few drops on the back of their necks), I do use DE sporadically in their coop and a bit in their food. Should I use this same stuff for roundworm? Do I treat everyone? Do I put it in their water and let everyone drink from it? If so, how much per gallon? If not, how do I give it to 50-odd birds? Do I put drops on their skin? I'm so confused!! And heck, do I really need to get rid of the eggs - and if so, for HOW LONG?? Has anyone had a reaction worse that a rash for a few hours?
Oh - and if this is roundworm, do I need to clean out the coop AGAIN once I am done dosing? I just got rid of all the straw and added new today (did a complete coop scrub about 3 weeks ago)...does it matter? Will any eggs or adult worms that are in their poo be problematic to my treatment?
Love the website - love the advice - I just need clarity and simplicity! Sorry. And THANK YOU!