how oftenly do i need to worm my hens

[cluckcluckluke]

i have 16 hens in total, how often will i have to worm them, they free range everyday.

 

[chickenzoo]

Worming depends on your climate....what has been on your property before....wild bird population...etc etc... But most people who need to worn can do it twice a year. ..unless you see worms in poo between that time.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Twice a year is what I've heard, too. Fall moult (so you don't lose as many eggs) and six months later.

We did ours for the first time last week (one week left on the egg withholding, yay!) and I saw an IMMEDIATE increase in egg number and egg size. It was amazing.

 

[terryg]

I've had chickens for almost 20 years in a backyard setup. I've never had to worm. Every few years I have the vet run a fecal on the hens and it shows that I've never had a problem. I've also done necropsies on hens and have never seen signs of internal parasites. I prefer not to use chemicals unless there's a proven need. I do practice very good manure management and keep the pens raked and clean. You can see my composting system here: http://hencam.com/faq/chicken-manure-management/

 

[cluckcluckluke]

oh thanks guys thats great, that meas im set for the rest of the year did it in January then in September, i live in Australia and the climate around my way is temperate- sub tropical.

 

[math ace]

Worming depends on your climate....what has been on your property before....wild bird population...etc etc... But most people who need to worn can do it twice a year. ..unless you see worms in poo between that time.

I am a twice a year person, but this year I found worms in between and had to worm a third time. Worming is directly related to how much free ranging your birds get to do. The more wonderful bugs and worms they eat, the more likely they are going to get a case of worms....

 

[math ace]

Twice a year is what I've heard, too. Fall moult (so you don't lose as many eggs) and six months later.

We did ours for the first time last week (one week left on the egg withholding, yay!) and I saw an IMMEDIATE increase in egg number and egg size. It was amazing.

Some wormers will harm the feathers during a molt, so be careful which wormers you use during the fall molt.

 

[dawg53]

I worm once every 3 months, sometimes sooner. Warm moist soil is very condusive for worms. If you live up north where soil isnt warm/moist most of the year like down south, or is mountainous...it may not be necessary to worm as often.
Worming can be stressful for birds during molt. Fenbendazole/panacur (Safeguard) can harm feathers during molt.

 

[donrae]

I've never wormed a chicken, had them on and off all my life.

 

[math ace]

I've never wormed a chicken, had them on and off all my life.

I have friends who have never wormed their chickens either. They too have had chickens all their life too!
We feed our birds the same foods and they live within a few miles of me.

The funny thing is she comes and gets eggs from me because her birds aren't laying as much as mine....
I have to wonder if there is any correlation between her lack of worming or treating for lice and mites AND my firm belief in semi-annual treatment for these things.....

I really don't understand the hesitation to worm chickens when people don't hesitate to worm their dogs. I know that the first thing my vet wants to do every time he comes out to see my pot belly pigs is treat them for worms.