found a roundworm in an egg

[ChookNewbieOfTheDesert]

About a month ago we received four hens from a neighbor who is transitioning from standard to rare breeds. He doesn't free range, but we decided we'd like to do so after they'd had a chance to bond with their new coop. Everything was working out pretty well until...

One of the chickens (Gertrude) died about a week ago.

The day before I found a roundworm in one of the eggs. It was like a long white thread. Yuck! (e.g. see http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/35/roundworms-in-eggs
A combination of factors caused the death of Gertrude, not just worms, but of course now I'd like to de-worm the other chooks (and us too).

I'm thinking about using food grade Diatomaceous Earth, and I guess I'll buy a big sack of it e.g. http://wolfcreekranch.net/diatomaceous_earth.html

The following website has some ideas that sound good for keeping worms away: http://groups.msn.com/limitedpoultry/aboutwormers.msnw

Any other suggestions are welcome.

The three remaining hens have had pasty butt for the last few days, so I'm also working on getting rid of that.

 

[S n M Poultry]

OMG, i didnt even know that was possible. Thats kinda scary and gross.

 

[ChookNewbieOfTheDesert]

Yes, it was scary and disgusting. The was something inherently repulsive about it. So you can bet I'm going to be taking some of that food grade DE myself!

 

[dlhunicorn]

DE is useful to dust the bedding and run etc to keep down pests which are carriers (when ingested they will transmit the worms over to your birds )
DE taken internally is not going to treat any (internal) worm infestation. get a faecal and the appropriate med.

 

[KrisRose]

Yuck.

 

[speckledhen]

I have read that if there are worms in the eggs, the infestation is intense and definitely needs treatment ASAP. Diana is correct, DE won't touch that type of infestation at all! They need the Big Guns.

 

[Gindee77]

Quote:
All the research I've done on DE (and I've done a lot) says it does treat internal worms, like roundworms, etc. They are even thinking it may help with heartworms in dogs.

I got DE to use on my chicks to help prevent roundworms, lice, mites, etc. But I checked into it quite extensively before I tried it. I wanted to be extra-sure it was safe for my chicks.

 

[kaylakala]

Wow what a great post!!

thanks for sharing those links!!

 

[MissPrissy]

At this stage I wouldn't wait for DE to work. I would get the proper meds ASAP and use DE as maintenance.

 

[gumpsgirl]

That is gross! I had no idea that worms could be in eggs. Thanks for the research that you did. I had already planned on giving my chickens DE (should be here tomorrow via UPS) but in light of this, will be giving my chickens and family DE for sure! I appreciate the info. on the apple cider vinegar and pumpkin seeds too. I'm not crazy about giving my chickens anything that would hamper egg production or make the eggs unsafe to eat. Thanks again for your information!