First time worming. Valbazen...unsafe?

[specklesmom]

Four Barred Rocks are 4+ years old; never wormed. I've ordered Valbazen, but just read worming could kill them if they have an overload of worms. They've always been healthy until just recently when I discovered mites (unfortunately assorted). Sprayed coop twice with permethrin, dusted chickens twice. I never was able to see any mites but know they had them because I was bitten as well. Since they had all these other issues and since they seem to frequently have poopy bottoms (one girl has semi-pale comb) I thought worming was called for but I certainly don't want to make the situation worse. Advice? I'm also going to spray run and outdoor area they are in while supervised most afternoons. Our area (north central Texas) hit 104 a couple of days ago, but "cold front" has dropped temps to 90s. Should I consider postponing worming until cooler temps? It could be a long time.....Thanks for any suggestions/ideas/input......

 

[Eggcessive]

Valbazen is actually one of the safest wormers to use, since it gradually works over several days to kill the worms. Worming with some of the older wormers could in theory be harmful if the worms were all killed at once. @dawg53 may have more to say about that.

 

[dawg53]

Eggcessive is correct. Valbazen slowly kills worms over several days, no need to worry about toxic dead worm overload. Give it orally to each chicken, 1/2ml. Then repeat again in 10 days to kill larva missed in the first dosing.

 

[specklesmom]

Thank you both! I already feel terrible that they had mites and I didn't realize it. I'm sure they'll be much healthier if any worms are eliminated. This is the first year we've ever had chiggers in our yard although I know them much too well from my years growing up out "in the sticks". We had a relatively wet spring so maybe that created good conditions for mites. I appreciate you taking time to respond and I'm more confident that I'm not going to do greater damage to my chickens than I do to the pests.