Feather breakage and no rooster!

[Iowagirl1]

They dont need to be wormed every other day.They need to build a immunity to the worms.Just like if you took a shower all the time.Did you see the lice?

Ok. I could never really find when they should be de-wormed but I will stop giving it to them for awhile. I am going to try at night when they are a bit calmer but will be sure to post what I find!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I do use the Durvette poultry de-wormer every other day (one scoop into 1 lb. of feed). Thank you for the link!

This is a very bad idea!

In 6 years I have never wormed or felt the need to. I have also never lost a bird to natural causes, yet. Some worm load is normal. It is only a problem for birds who are weakened. But the worms themselves will become completely immune or resistant to the wormer that you are using all the time! If you insist on worming when you don't even know if you have a problem... you should at least rotate out your wormer. Many of them have withdrawal periods. Personally, I would take a fecal sample to vet if I had suspicion for about $15 and make sure I am even treating the right kind of worms as many only treat certain types. Other wise only worm seasonally and with something that gets better reviews than that product.

If you have good management practices is one of the best way to combat parasite load. Though for some their climate makes certain things grow really well so maybe they do need to treat more often or during a specific season. And as stated my Master of Clucker, the birds need to build some of their own resistance. I would seriously question where you got the advice to worm that often.

No judgement at all, we all have to do what we think is right and will work for us! For all I know, the additives or possible the toll the wormer is taking on the birds could be adding to your feather issue.

Chicken keeping has been a huge adventure! And the flock is such a dynamic thing that I often have to learn and adjust as needed.

So even though you don't see fighting, how big is your coop/run/roost? Do you free range? What treats do you feed? The brand of feed doesn't matter as much as the nutrients. I read labels and choose the one that sounds like it has the best ingredients list with the proper nutrient values for my flock. Purina makes a lot of products sold under other names.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ok. I could never really find when they should be de-wormed but I will stop giving it to them for awhile. I am going to try at night when they are a bit calmer but will be sure to post what I find!

I have a flock of 50+

At night after they have gone to roost is the easiest time to make sure all are inspected without a bunch of chasing and then trying to remember who we got already.

If you keep the rest of the lights low and only illuminate the bird you are checking the rest will calmly wait their turn, hoping you never make it to them.

However, If I find something on one bird... I treat everybody.

You may not have a problem at all. It may just be preening and standard breakage. Or it may be something... what's important is you are paying attention, seeing something you don't think is right, and getting to the bottom of it. Good job looking out!

 

[Iowagirl1]

That's what I thought from the beginning I did not want to give them anything for worms so that they would become immune to it, but I had people telling me that I should For treats: they get lots of fruit and vegetable scraps just depending on what I have that day, mealworms occasionally, corn in the winter, and assorted seeds in a water bottle with holes so they kick it around to get it out. Coop size: their house part and nesting boxes I would say is 7-8 feet in length and pretty tall for roosts, the "indoor" part of the run is 7ft. in length and 4 ft. in width, the outdoor part of the run is 8 ft. long and 6 ft. wide. It is well ventilated and dry. They always have plenty of fresh water and seem very content. :/ I am also going to be extending the outdoor run this summer. I am glad to hear though that y'all that have never given your girls or rooster poultry deformerhave glad no problems!

 

[Iowagirl1]

I have a flock of 50+

At night after they have gone to roost is the easiest time to make sure all are inspected without a bunch of chasing and then trying to remember who we got already.

If you keep the rest of the lights low and only illuminate the bird you are checking the rest will calmly wait their turn, hoping you never make it to them. 

However, If I find something on one bird... I treat everybody.

You may not have a problem at all. It may just be preening and standard breakage. Or it may be something... what's important is you are paying attention, seeing something you don't think is right, and getting to the bottom of it. Good job looking out! 

Thank you! This has all been super helpful

 

[Isaac 0]

That's what I thought from the beginning I did not want to give them anything for worms so that they would become immune to it, but I had people telling me that I should For treats: they get lots of fruit and vegetable scraps just depending on what I have that day, mealworms occasionally, corn in the winter, and assorted seeds in a water bottle with holes so they kick it around to get it out. Coop size: their house part and nesting boxes I would say is 7-8 feet in length and pretty tall for roosts, the "indoor" part of the run is 7ft. in length and 4 ft. in width, the outdoor part of the run is 8 ft. long and 6 ft. wide. It is well ventilated and dry. They always have plenty of fresh water and seem very content.

I am also going to be extending the outdoor run this summer. I am glad to hear though that y'all that have never given your girls or rooster poultry deformerhave glad no problems!

The people that told you need to worm every other day need to do some research.

.Ive never wormed my chickens before.If they do get worms use Valbazen or Safeguard.

 

[Iowagirl1]

The people that told you need to worm every other day need to do some research. .Ive never wormed my chickens before.If they do get worms use Valbazen or Safeguard.

Good to know!!!