How do i know if my chickens have worms?

[Mrs. K]

I have had chickens since 2007, and my free range, and (knock on wood, and whispering) I have never seen any sign of worms, and have never wormed.



Now that I have jinxed myself, what is the pumpkin seed thing? I could grow pumpkins.

MrsK

 

[cmom]

If I suspect worms I take some poop to my vet and she will test it. I thought the birds had worms once and wormed. The other times I thought the birds had worms I took some poop to the vet and it turned out negative.

 

[ParadiseChickens]

I know I can get safeguard at TSC but does anyone know if they carry valbazen?

 

[dawg53]

Valbazen can be ordered from Jefferslivestock.com or you can call them.
Consider this; one large roundworm sheds thousands of eggs onto the soil only to be picked up by other chickens to start the lifecycle all over again. There is never just one large roundworm in a chickens innards. When you see one in the poop, it just means there's no more room inside the chicken and there's only one way to go...out.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Symptoms: pale combs and dramatic weight loss. They start looking really thin.

By the time you see a worm in the feces, they are overloaded. I worm once a year with Valbazen and am very happy with the results. I do it in the fall when they are molting - you have to toss the eggs for 14 days, so I do it when they aren't laying.

I gave my chickens pumpkins, garlic, ACV - all the natural methods - it didn't work, they still got worms.

Here's a great thread on worming:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=420520

 

[briteday]

If you prefer not to de-worm unless necessary then you can ask most vets to do a fecal float test (doesn't have to be familiar with any bird species as the parasites are the same as with dogs and some other livestock...so any vet will do). The test is pretty cheap, usually less than $20. Some rural vets do it much cheaper. Anyway, they will be able to tell you if they saw and worms or their eggs and even what type of parasites were seen.
But if I ever got a positive test I would just use a broad spectrum de-wormer like valbazen or fenbendazole. Some people in our local poultry group treat with Ivermectin because it also kills mites and lice.
I live in an extremely dry climate where parasites are rare. However, vets in the area are reporting lots of fleas in dogs because we had a wet spring. So I'm thinking about taking in a fecal float on the girls to see if they have anything.

 

[Rainbow Dash]

They'll often have worms in their poop and pale combs. To treat, I'd give them antibiotics and yogurt. But they've never had them before (knock on wood), so I've never tried the method.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Sorry, antibiotics and yogurt wont kill worms. Please read the previous 2 posts #15, #16...they are correct.

 

[americanchicker]

Valbazen can be ordered from Jefferslivestock.com or you can call them.
Consider this; one large roundworm sheds thousands of eggs onto the soil only to be picked up by other chickens to start the lifecycle all over again. There is never just one large roundworm in a chickens innards. When you see one in the poop, it just means there's no more room inside the chicken and there's only one way to go...out.

I looked on Jefferslivestock.com and found the Valbazen but it says for goats, cattle and sheep- is this the same for chickens? And how much do I give.. I only see Wazine under the poultry section. I do not know if my girls have worms, I am a newbie, but figure I should have some on hand or do it now before they start laying.

Thanks!

 

[2dancingrats]

Well, here goes. I usually worm once a yr. I read a study that said all chickens have worms but they are usually kept in check. I did notice some very pale combs and some worms in feces. So, I wazined my group when they were not laying well in the early winter, followed by ivemect. I would however do it different now. I would go the route of Valbazen. The wazine does not get rid of tape worms or gape worms and is very hard on the chickens. The val. works more slowly but takes a 24 day egg delay. I think this year I will val. my new chickens at 3 months. That way there will not be a wait on the eggs as they are not laying yet. Worm eggs in the soil or on the hens fluff when it comes to chicks can be a carrier. Bugs etc. Hens that do not have to fight a large worm load eat less, lay better and generally are healthier. Gloria Jean

What do you mean by"hard on the chicken's? Where do you get Valbezen? Thanks!!