Homemade Verm-X (and natural chicken ways?)

[Chicalina]

Perhaps it is better viewed as an 'inhibitor' rather than a true preventative treatment because it helps to create a hostile gut environment where parasites can't thrive.

Doesn't mean they won't have any, but perhaps they won't stick around and breed ifswim, so an infestation becomes far less likely, not strictly 'prevented'.

I think we need to view things in shades of grey instead of black and white (worms/no worms).

 

[RubyLady]

Perhaps it is better viewed as an 'inhibitor' rather than a true preventative treatment because it helps to create a hostile gut environment where parasites can't thrive.

Doesn't mean they won't have any, but perhaps they won't stick around and breed ifswim, so an infestation becomes far less likely, not strictly 'prevented'.

I think we need to view things in shades of grey instead of black and white (worms/no worms).

If the terms are going to help people, then I'm all for it. I make no claims about the commercial Verm-X because I've never used it, and I make no claims about my homemade version other than the facts that some of the ingredients are scientifically-proven vermifuges.

Now, that said, whether or not it will work in the doses provided (a mix of dried material) I really cannot say. I would be able to say more if this were humans and not chickens. LOL I am more familiar with doses needed for humans and efficacy.

But yes, I think as vermifuges from natural plant materials, it is much more likely that the reason they work to dispel any worms or eggs at all is because they are creating an unfriendly environment. I have not ever seen where these materials "kill" worms, although I have seen dead worms expelled from humans after using some of these.

But is that the plant material that has killed them or the fact that the environment was no longer conducive to their happy little lives? Likely to be some of both, but I'm with you that the percentage of inhospitable environment is higher than outright death machine to worms.

That is such a good point, Chicalina, and I really love it!

 

[Marie2020]

I can work as a preventative. Animals always have some parasites and non-beneficial microbes all the time, but the system is generally able to combat them. Verm-X - well, I don't know how they prepare the plant material so I can't vouch for the actual product, but I am speaking to the ingredients - contains KNOWN and PROVEN vermifuges.

I would use it as a preventative and see how it goes. It certainly can't hurt your chickens.

Thanks, I just use it on occasions and in addition I use other natural ways

 

[Chicalina]

If the terms are going to help people, then I'm all for it. I make no claims about the commercial Verm-X because I've never used it, and I make no claims about my homemade version other than the facts that some of the ingredients are scientifically-proven vermifuges.

Now, that said, whether or not it will work in the doses provided (a mix of dried material) I really cannot say. I would be able to say more if this were humans and not chickens. LOL I am more familiar with doses needed for humans and efficacy.

But yes, I think as vermifuges from natural plant materials, it is much more likely that the reason they work to dispel any worms or eggs at all is because they are creating an unfriendly environment. I have not ever seen where these materials "kill" worms, although I have seen dead worms expelled from humans after using some of these.

But is that the plant material that has killed them or the fact that the environment was no longer conducive to their happy little lives? Likely to be some of both, but I'm with you that the percentage of inhospitable environment is higher than outright death machine to worms.

That is such a good point, Chicalina, and I really love it!

I think we are of a similar mindset. Both chemical drugs and natural remedies have their place, and should be used appropriately and to the extent of their respective effectiveness.

I am in the UK and have regularly bought VermX to maintain good gut health and deter worms, so I'm interested in a version I could put together myself out of herbs in my garden.

I don't very often deworm my flock (or need to) so perhaps that is telling.

 

[RubyLady]

I think we are of a similar mindset. Both chemical drugs and natural remedies have their place, and should be used appropriately and to the extent of their respective effectiveness.

I am in the UK and have regularly bought VermX to maintain good gut health and deter worms, so I'm interested in a version I could put together myself out of herbs in my garden.

I don't very often deworm my flock (or need to) so perhaps that is telling.

I only got into this because I thought one of my chickens was gaping and might have worms. I did not de-worm her or the other three in the end, and she was fine.

But I did buy some Safeguard which I have just in case and I give them the preventative weekly. It's a nutrition and health boost either way so that's good. So I completely agree with you.

 

[KingdomCultivations]

This is NOT intended as a recommendation or medical advice at all, but I thought I'd share what I did for my chickens and why. I thought one might be developing gapeworm, and while the one local vet is not taking any more patients, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I read up a lot on these forums and online and talked to some folks at the feed store and Tractor Supply. I checked my chicken's throat, seemed fine, although it was not easy and she was not happy. I'm used to bathing and pilling cats. I've never tried to open a chicken's mouth before. LOL I checked for mites (nope) and their poop looked fine.

I did buy some Safeguard paste but then read up on Verm-X. She didn't look that bad, some mouth breathing and I thought she gaped once and shook her head a little and I know she eats snails; I just wanted to keep her healthy. So I decided to go with prevention since I don't think she has an actual case of worms. She is my largest chicken and it has been hot, and just after I got home with the Safeguard, she foraged in a pile of leaves happily with the others in the cooler part of the day so I calmed down.

Now I see some folks here are okay with plant medicines and some not so much, so I'll just throw this out there: there are plants and minerals that act as vermifuges/anthelminics. That's usually where compounds are isolated and then synthesized into the chemical medicines we use today. I am a firm believer that if you (or your animals) need western/chemical medicine definitely use it!

But I will also say that I have seen (as a trained herbalist and forager) plant medicine (properly prepared) work as well as any western medicine. That said, NO MEDICINE WORKS 100% OF THE TIME. Neither western, eastern, chemical or plant based.

I read the ingredients of Verm-X and realized I had a lot of it already on hand. I can't find my bag of dried cleavers so that will be added when I can, I added some DE and ground pumpkin seeds, and I did read nasturtiums also help and I had some growing so I added a bit fresh. I made a powder and then, using a bit of bacon grease, made little treats for my four ladies. Only one went for the treats. Not the one I was aiming for, so today I gave them some banana sprinkled with a little of the powder, and I sprayed their feed with a fine water mist just to get it to stick and put a little homemade verm-X on their feed. They ate it up.

I can't say it will solve all problems, but it can't hurt and they are all vermifuges or nutritional supports, so I'll add it occasionally to their feed. And I still have the tube of Safeguard paste just in case. I think Verm-X is a liquid, but I decided not to make an infusion or decoction and use dried as a liquid would not be stable for long even in the fridge.

Has anyone else done this? I'm curious about your natural chicken ways!

View attachment 2732659

RubyLady, can you share the recipe/ratios you used for the homemade Verm-X?

 

[dawg53]

Here you go: VermX
http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2012/01/ve...eal-evidence-to-show-it-is-safe-or-effective/

 

[KingdomCultivations]

Here you go: VermX
http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2012/01/ve...eal-evidence-to-show-it-is-safe-or-effective/

Thanks, but not what I asked for!

 

[TabyCat]

This is NOT intended as a recommendation or medical advice at all, but I thought I'd share what I did for my chickens and why. I thought one might be developing gapeworm, and while the one local vet is not taking any more patients, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I read up a lot on these forums and online and talked to some folks at the feed store and Tractor Supply. I checked my chicken's throat, seemed fine, although it was not easy and she was not happy. I'm used to bathing and pilling cats. I've never tried to open a chicken's mouth before. LOL I checked for mites (nope) and their poop looked fine.

I did buy some Safeguard paste but then read up on Verm-X. She didn't look that bad, some mouth breathing and I thought she gaped once and shook her head a little and I know she eats snails; I just wanted to keep her healthy. So I decided to go with prevention since I don't think she has an actual case of worms. She is my largest chicken and it has been hot, and just after I got home with the Safeguard, she foraged in a pile of leaves happily with the others in the cooler part of the day so I calmed down.

Now I see some folks here are okay with plant medicines and some not so much, so I'll just throw this out there: there are plants and minerals that act as vermifuges/anthelminics. That's usually where compounds are isolated and then synthesized into the chemical medicines we use today. I am a firm believer that if you (or your animals) need western/chemical medicine definitely use it!

But I will also say that I have seen (as a trained herbalist and forager) plant medicine (properly prepared) work as well as any western medicine. That said, NO MEDICINE WORKS 100% OF THE TIME. Neither western, eastern, chemical or plant based.

I read the ingredients of Verm-X and realized I had a lot of it already on hand. I can't find my bag of dried cleavers so that will be added when I can, I added some DE and ground pumpkin seeds, and I did read nasturtiums also help and I had some growing so I added a bit fresh. I made a powder and then, using a bit of bacon grease, made little treats for my four ladies. Only one went for the treats. Not the one I was aiming for, so today I gave them some banana sprinkled with a little of the powder, and I sprayed their feed with a fine water mist just to get it to stick and put a little homemade verm-X on their feed. They ate it up.

I can't say it will solve all problems, but it can't hurt and they are all vermifuges or nutritional supports, so I'll add it occasionally to their feed. And I still have the tube of Safeguard paste just in case. I think Verm-X is a liquid, but I decided not to make an infusion or decoction and use dried as a liquid would not be stable for long even in the fridge.

Has anyone else done this? I'm curious about your natural chicken ways!

View attachment 2732659

I came across this feed in my search for vermx. I was thinking of making my own as well. I've made my own VetRx and saved a lot of money. How did you birds make out on your treatment?

 

[TabyCat]

This is NOT intended as a recommendation or medical advice at all, but I thought I'd share what I did for my chickens and why. I thought one might be developing gapeworm, and while the one local vet is not taking any more patients, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I read up a lot on these forums and online and talked to some folks at the feed store and Tractor Supply. I checked my chicken's throat, seemed fine, although it was not easy and she was not happy. I'm used to bathing and pilling cats. I've never tried to open a chicken's mouth before. LOL I checked for mites (nope) and their poop looked fine.

I did buy some Safeguard paste but then read up on Verm-X. She didn't look that bad, some mouth breathing and I thought she gaped once and shook her head a little and I know she eats snails; I just wanted to keep her healthy. So I decided to go with prevention since I don't think she has an actual case of worms. She is my largest chicken and it has been hot, and just after I got home with the Safeguard, she foraged in a pile of leaves happily with the others in the cooler part of the day so I calmed down.

Now I see some folks here are okay with plant medicines and some not so much, so I'll just throw this out there: there are plants and minerals that act as vermifuges/anthelminics. That's usually where compounds are isolated and then synthesized into the chemical medicines we use today. I am a firm believer that if you (or your animals) need western/chemical medicine definitely use it!

But I will also say that I have seen (as a trained herbalist and forager) plant medicine (properly prepared) work as well as any western medicine. That said, NO MEDICINE WORKS 100% OF THE TIME. Neither western, eastern, chemical or plant based.

I read the ingredients of Verm-X and realized I had a lot of it already on hand. I can't find my bag of dried cleavers so that will be added when I can, I added some DE and ground pumpkin seeds, and I did read nasturtiums also help and I had some growing so I added a bit fresh. I made a powder and then, using a bit of bacon grease, made little treats for my four ladies. Only one went for the treats. Not the one I was aiming for, so today I gave them some banana sprinkled with a little of the powder, and I sprayed their feed with a fine water mist just to get it to stick and put a little homemade verm-X on their feed. They ate it up.

I can't say it will solve all problems, but it can't hurt and they are all vermifuges or nutritional supports, so I'll add it occasionally to their feed. And I still have the tube of Safeguard paste just in case. I think Verm-X is a liquid, but I decided not to make an infusion or decoction and use dried as a liquid would not be stable for long even in the fridge.

Has anyone else done this? I'm curious about your natural chicken ways!

View attachment 2732659

I came across this feed in my search for vermx. I was thinking of making my own as well. I've made my own VetRx and saved a lot of money. How did you birds make out on your treatment?