@Chicalina that's pretty funny that you see resistance to the wormer by the keepers!
Just an observation on some of the posts I've seen on BYC. A general reluctance to medicate, not even coccidiostat.
I'm ALL for using something that works IF needed, natural or not. I'm of the mind that you can't prevent what you don't have and also that natural doesn't always mean good.. think arsenic is natural.. I won't ever worm an already ill bird without verifying need.. why throw poisons into their system that may not help them?
You can "prevent what you don't have". That is the very meaning of prevention!! Every wild bird that flies over your coop dropping their poop around where your chickens forage is likely bringing parasites. Not to mention other animals who might walk past in the dead of night. That's common sense.
Just using a broad spectrum wormer without knowing need just continues to put $ in the pockets of big pharma.. Pass. That's one reason I am resistant, though most others mentioned already are my basic truths as well.
I dont care about giving the finger to big pharma. Big pharma doesn't know or care about me. I just care about my flock health. I will buy what I consider to be necessary. I just spent £350 on vet bills for my cat who now needs thyroid drugs for life. Not because of big pharma, but because she is old and falling apart!
Good gut health can be achieved without vermx or other supplements simply through good nutrition (not diminished by excess treats) which supports the entire immune system.
I don't disagree with you on this. But I choose to supplement in this way because it means a) they don't get worms when they are otherwise high risk for doing so, and b) I don't want to spend money on or give them drugs if it can be avoided and I believe prevention is better than cure! (see above)
Consider doing a float before and after your worm prevention treatment and share your findings. Doing it a couple times throughout the year during different seasons could help determine YOUR parasite load.