How do you worm your chickens?

[Uppity Peon]

I have heard that mixing a lot of cayenne into your chicken feed will help with intestinal worms. While it does not poison them, it irritates them and they head for the exit. The eggs are still safe to eat.

 

[briteday]

A fecal float without an exam is about $10-20 where I live. I just drop it off at the desk and they call me with the results.

 

[cmom]

I use a natural wormer, Verm-X.
http://www.verm-x.com

I have used other dewormers like Wazine, but the eggs are off limits for at least 14 days if your birds are laying. Also meat birds can't be processed until after 14 days after using Wazine. With Verm-X since it is all natural there is no waiting period.

 

[cgmccary]

Normally, worms and chickens live in a balance. I do not de-worm just for the sake of it. Wormers are hard on birds. I have never seen worms in my chickens. If I did see evidence of worms, then the "balance" would be askew and I would probably use Ivermectin (unless it was a tapeworm).

Also, chewing tobacco (the nicotine) is a natural dewormer.

DE is useless as a de-wormer.

 

[Shannonwbl]

Should you worm prophylacticly or wait for signs of trouble?

I am relatively new to chickens (just over 1 year) and aside from molting I haven't seen any worrisome signs. I do spread DE in the coop and mine have a large run and frequently free range.

 

[cgmccary]

Should you worm prophylacticly or wait for signs of trouble?

IMHO & what I do is: WAIT FOR SIGNS OF TROUBLE, never worm as a prophylactic (preventative). Others believe the opposite and I think either opinion is worthy.​

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Don't just worm unless there is a valid reason to.

 

[vnploveschickens]

I also use Verm-x. It says to do it 1x month but I forget so it ends up being every other month or so.
Because its natural, there is no waiting period on the eggs.

 

[Uppity Peon]

Verm-x lists some of their herbal ingredients:
http://www.verm-x.com/herbs.htm

 

[Judy]

Does anyone know of any sort of scientific study that indicates Verm-X is effective?