For those who keep flocks of 50+ birds

[gryeyes]

As a person with <*mumble, mumble*> birds in my flock, I really appreciate the question being asked - and answered!

All the ivermectin I've seen at the feed stores is NOT labeled for use on poultry, but the feed store folks (as well as a multitude of BYCers) keep it in stock for use on poultry. I have yet to use it, though.

And I don't "rotate" out my birds at any age. The oldest are only a tad over two years old, but they'll stay with me until they cross over to the Summertime Meadow either through old age or misadventure.


Edited to add: I use DE liberally in the nest boxes, in the litter, in their dust bathing areas, and occasionally will dust the inside of the coop and the roosts with "poultry dust" intended for mites and whatnot. I did have to treat a rescue GLW with very bad scaly leg mites but she was quarantined for a good long time.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
It's a cattle wormer. The only wormer labeled for chickens is piperazine which only gets one type of worm.

Ivermectin (or very similar drugs) come in at least three forms, injectable, paste and Ivomec Eprinex pour on. The only one I've used is the last one. For it you put 0.5 ml for large fowl (0.25 for bantams) on the back of their neck, under the feathers, directly on the skin. For e this is easiest to do with a needleless syringe; I like 1 ml syringes for the accuracy. However, ivermectin is losing its effectiveness for worms, and only kills lice, not mites -- or mites, not lice; I can't remember which. Either Sevin or a permethrin/pyrethrin dust or spray will get both. The latter can be bought as Adam's flea and tick spray (for dogs) or as poultry dust. DE will get some of them but won't cure an infestation. It may be useful as a preventive, though.

 

[sonew123]

4x a year I ivermectin my flocks
One coop at a time at night-I treat every bird 1 by 1
I DE everything -allthough I have never used it as a cure just a preventative and in dust bathing box's
I check all birds once a month-every bird 1 by 1 just in case

I use Seven in coops and roosts I've never used it on my birds but will if needed

In Summer all bedding gets removed and replaced 1x a month-weekly scooping out though under roosts...
Winter DLM-Which I don't like but do it out of convenience-I break down at least 2x each Winter and do complete over hauls of cleaning it all out.
nesting boxes get replaced 2-3x a month

I've never had an infestation but have found a few buggers here or there-that time of the year was within a week of reapplying the ivermectin so I just do it all earlier than normal when I see it. I have anywhere from 70+ to 150 birds at one time

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
Thank you for the break down and the precise explanation of how you dust the birds. It sounds manageable. I typically dust my smaller flocks during the day and it's a chore but we can get it done in about an hour and I can tell who's been dusted b/c I know each bird by sight/name. It's not so easy with the big flock. I like the idea of going down the roost, one by one, after they're tucked in for the night and marking each bird with a zip tie. Thankfully, we've never had an infestation but it seems like most people I talk to have had horrible infestations this year. I want to be prepared come Spring. Thank you!

You're welcome. Glad to have helped you.

 

[Avalon1984]

Quote:
What organic dewormer do you use? I would love to find an effective organic dewormer!

This is what I use Katy. Hope that helps. I throw in some cayenne papper and pumkins if available.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/chickens/WormGuard-Plus-2lb-bag-p778.aspx