Does anyone do their own fecal exams

[farmergal]

Does anyone know whether pumpkin seeds have been scientifically proven as a de-wormer? Or is that just more anecdotal evidence?

I think I'm going to try a combo of DE and pumpkin seeds... we'll see whether it seems to work in my case. Anecdotally, not scientifically, of course

 

[DawnSuiter]

Quote:
First, I'm not checking completely for all sorts of worms, I'm checking for tape, round, hook & whip, however chickens are mostly filled with round unless otherwise exposed. Which they are by my canines.

Second.. there is no argument here that I'm aware of... I am sharing what I know and my experience & perspective. Since I have run canine fecals for years, know what I'm looking for and have gutted my own chickens, this is the experience I speak from. Something that has always been welcomed here on BYC since I started posting, but if the rules have changed with the new forum structure, I apologize, I won't post my experiences anymore, only that which has been scientifically documented and can be proven true by multiple independant sources.

 

[farmergal]

Hi Dawn... a lot of us appreciate non-scientific, personal experience... hence my last post was trying to poke a bit of fun at the science side

So please keep sharing your thoughts. This is an interesting thread, and as I'd prefer not to give my chickens unnecessary chemicals if I can help it, I'll keep watching in hopes of learning more.

 

[chickygirl2]

When you do a necropsy, are you looking for long stringy type of worms?
I had a rescue dog come through that either vomited or defecated a large spaghetti mass once. It took me a bit to figure it might be worms - ughhhhhg!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Oh, <lightbulb>, so this is an issue mainly of dog parasites that have human health implications via potentially-undercooked chicken meat?

OK, that makes sense then

Although honestly from what I've read of roundworm (at least) visceral larva migrans I wonder how realistic it is to expect to necessarily see the signs of an infection without doing a bunch of histology and microscopy (AFAIK dog roundworms don't develop into actual intestinal adults in chickens, do they?)

Second.. there is no argument here that I'm aware of... I am sharing what I know and my experience & perspective.

C'mon, I mean LOGICAL argument, as in "what you're saying", not argument as in "startin' a fight"

this is the experience I speak from. Something that has always been welcomed here on BYC since I started posting, but if the rules have changed with the new forum structure, I apologize, I won't post my experiences anymore, only that which has been scientifically documented and can be proven true by multiple independant sources.

I'm sorry I've gotten you all irritated. At no time have I said you shouldnt post your experiences. Personal anecdotes are valuable and interesting.

I'm ONLY saying it does not provide the same level of surety or convincingness as a larger, well-designed, double-blind well-replicated study would. It is just *different*, not worthless.

I'm not aware of any good studies on pumpkinseed either, fwiw (to farmergal) although again, they *ought* to be done. Ha, by the pumpkingrowers' association if nothing else <g>


Pat​

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

From what I understand, there is no approved wormer for chickens.

If you treat them with a drug approved for other species, you should NOT consume eggs or meat from that fowl....EVER

There is no withdrawl time offered by the manufacturers.

If you choose to consume eggs/meat personally, that is your decision. Offering eggs or processed birds to others on a retail level opens you up to all kinds of liability/lawsuits.

As far as DE is concerned, there is no scientific proof of effectiveness as a wormer.

You would be far better off spending your money and time on the sanitation/hygiene of your coop & run.

I've had chooks for 9 years & no worm issues at all.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Quote:
Did you use the injectible Ivernmectin ?? I use this on the horses every so often. I use 1 cc per 100 pounds, so a chicken would be far less. I do this BY BEAK, not injected. If the flock needs it I band each one I do with a yellow band and I take my time. For the horses i use "sagegaurd" and I am considering using this with the birds, ANY thoghts here ?

I am unsure of the D earth and I do not even know were to get it.
I check my birds everyday. I grab an unwitting bird from the flock, hardly ever the same one and examin them in the morning.

 

[Jenski]

We too have purchased a microscope with the intent of doing our own fecals. There are some pics of parasites on the Merck vet manual site too, for those interested. Check the coccidiosis page in particular.

Patandchickens, I agree. I do wish we had some good data on the value of "alternative" treatments.

 

[chickygirl2]

Rimshoes,
I have that ivermectin. What #drops do you use per chicken?

 

[BethinIrving]

Quote:
I am a very strong advocate of natural healing and even some herbal therapies along with Medical care. The use of Diatemacious Earth is the one exception, and am quite adamant that the stuff should not ever be used for any reason. I know you are just as adamant that it's ok to use, and I certainly respect both your opinion and your right to use it.

I do poop patrols every day. Unless one of the birds has symptoms that need further attention, I just do visuals without a microscope.

We live in the city, my little flock is a backyard flock and it's important that they stay healthy. I have a concrete pad, "the poop pad" where they've been trained to go potty. If it all looks normal, then I'm a happy camper if there are no other symptoms.