how often to worm, etc

[AngieB]

Our first chickens are about 5 months old and all seem very healthy. I have not wormed them and have never treated for mites or lice. I do put DE in their coop and dust bath. I checked them for bugs on their necks under the feathers and haven't seen any. Although I have seen a few tiny bugs in the coop that look like weevils. I am really not sure how to properly check their vents. I tried turning one over today and fishing around, but just found feathers! Sorry, but I really am a newbie.

I don't want to wait until there is a big problem. but my kids hold the chickens and play in the coop, so I would rather not dust them routinely with chemicals, unless it's necessary. I asked at the feed store about worming them, but she said we would have to dump the eggs for 30 days, and we just started getting eggs.

So I'm pretty clueless and could use some sound advice on what to watch for, how to check them properly, and whether I need to treat them proactively every so often for either worms or lice/mites.

Thanks so much!

Angie

 

[Lollipop]

Angie, to check for lice/mites, pick a couple hens off the roost at night and look around their vents and under their tails with a cood flashlight. These bugs are tiny, but if you have any and look close, you can see them scurrying for cover. The worming should only be done if you see any in their droppings, or have some symptoms, like pale comb or lethargic birds. It`s all on a need to treat basis and not a scheduled thing. First indication of lice/mites is feeling them crawling on you after handling the birds.. Don`t worry, it`s pretty simple..........Pop