Duck wormer

[VOX]

What do yall use to worm your ducks. My local co op only has Wazine. Is this safe for ducks?

 

[HamandLily]

I use Verm-X hollistic wormer.

 

[Amiga]

So far, no need for using a wormer. Asked the vet, she said do it if it's needed. I would look into something least toxic.

 

[destinduck]

Like Amiga said. Does your ducks have worms? I wouldnt just do it as a preventive measure. Ducks very rarely get worms.

 

[Anya_K]

Is there such a thing as worm prevention?

 

[Amiga]

Good question about prevention. Ducks get worms from other animals, which could be some of those that they eat, or those who share a yard or water source. It may not help much, but when I feed wild birds it is as far as I can get from the duck yard, to reduce (cannot prevent) the amount of wild bird feces they come into contact with.

I feel that if the ducks are healthy, they may be able to fight off serious infestations just with their immune systems. Sepp Holzer is a farmer who thinks that keeping a variety of wild plants on the farm, to which his animals have access, helps them choose plants that can treat and prevent worms.

Preventing the formation of standing, fetid mudholes can reduce the risk of worms being passed from animal to animal, as well as the risk of bacterial infections.

There may be more information about this out there. I would like to hear about it.

 

[gofasterstripe]

How do you know if your ducks do have worms tho, do you have to take poop in a bag to the vets like I do for my goats. Darn it gets expensive at $15 a poop bag.

 

[Amiga]

Just off the top of my head, I recall that gape worms can be checked by sticking something like a q-tip (carefully) into the duck's throat - like swabbing for a strep culture. Apparently parts of the worms will detach and you can see them. Chronic coughing with head shaking can be a symptom, too.

Looking at Storey's Guide, Holderread indicates that worming just to worm them has long term negative effects on the ducks, as it can reduce their natural immunity.

He also indicates that the best, sure way to know is a fecal sample to the vet.

Other symptoms are weight loss, reduced egg production, eating more without gaining weight, weakness, diarrhea. A bad infestation can be fatal.

Clean water, no overcrowding, no standing water and quarantine of new birds are recommended for prevention.

He mentions some people using diatomaceous earth as a treatment, in addition to worming medication.

 

[VOX]

so if my duck show no signs of worms then not to worm them? As most of you know my ducks stay inside cause i hatched them in the winter and the weather here is just not right yet. I feel that they dont need to be outside with the temp in the freezing range when they are use to 70 degree temp. Plus i dont have a pin ready right now. Im waiting on the spring weather to come before I put them out. And no my house does not smell like duck poop being as i maintain their cage 24/7( literary 24/7 7 days a week )


edit: so Wazine is not recommend? being as ducks consume a large amount of water. what about using it in smaller doses?

 

[Eroc1_1]

Quote:
So, my ducks will be around a bunch of wild Canadian Geese and they will all share the same 1 acre pond. Will I need to worm them?