how often do you worm chickens?

[Mskayladog]

Mine are young just 4 weeks old. As they get older how often do you worm are there worming schedules like we have with horses?

 

[speckledhen]

Depends if they are free range or penned. With birds penned 24/7, it's more important to worm than with free rangers who find natural wormers in their forage.

I didn't worm my flock until they were over two years old, and I only did it then because I saw a worm in a rooster's poop. I may worm the entire flock once a year, if that. I will worm the bantams because they do not free range except on rare occasions.

A healthy chicken can and usually does carry a very small worm load. It's when the worms get too much for their systems that they need worming.

If I get back to one large group that free ranges all day, every day, like it was in the beginning, and not just every couple of days, I may back off and worm them every couple of years, unless there is a specific reason for it. Others worm regularly, but situations are different.

 

[Mskayladog]

When they go upside the 8 chicks will have a covered 12 by 20 run and a 12 by 12 coop.
Until I'm comfortable that they are safe and with what predators are around they are going to stay in that? I might now and then take a chair out there and sit and let them run loose

 

[RedDrgn]

I'll worm them when they need to be wormed.

I know when they need to be wormed by taking a fecal sample to the vet for analysis (any cat/dog vet can do this and it's not expensive). I take a sample in for a check every six months. That way, I'm not giving them medicines they don't need for things they may or may not have and may or may not even be susceptible to whichever wormer I chose. I also don't have to waste 3-4 weeks worth of eggs (withdrawal period) for, potentially, no reason.

 

[Mskayladog]

Thanks for the info!!