How old for first deworming?

[GingersHuman]

The label on my dewormer crumbles doesn't give a minimum age (rooster booster multi wormer). What's everyone's idea on age to deworm?

 

[aart]

I wouldn't feed a wormer unless you know your flock has worms......
.....could just build resistance to med if they really don't need it

As to that particular product, contact the manufacturer....and....
.....I suggest you edit the title of your thread and add the product name,
you'll likely get more responses.

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree with aart. IMO, there is no need to de-worm your birds, unless you have worms being diagnosed as an issue. By worming them if they don't actually have a worm load, you are building resistance in any renegade worms that could be present. So, when you do have an issue that actually warrants treating, the formula of choice will not be effective. Many agricultural vets are of the opinion that a small worm load is inconsequential. Given access to free range, many birds will find grasses and herbs that very effectively deal with any possible worm loads. Also, theoretically, 95% of the parasites reside in the 5% of your weakest birds. If you are wanting to build a stronger flock, culling your weakest birds will over time build a flock that is essentially impervious to parasite attack. If you do plan to treat, spend the extra money to have a fecal float test done by your vet. Don't medicate your birds for something that may not even exist.

 

[Pork Pie]

Whilst I do not disagree with either posts above, I'd like to add that some members routinely de-worm their flock. It's a matter of preference, as are many aspects of chicken husbandry.

 

[lazy gardener]

True that.

 

[aart]

Whilst I do not disagree with either posts above, I'd like to add that some members routinely de-worm their flock. It's a matter of preference, as are many aspects of chicken husbandry.

True...and often it's warranted, especially down southern US where there's no winter kill.
But still it shouldn't be done without thought or good reason.....and I will always campaign for logic.

 

[GingersHuman]

I've dewormed my chickens yearly for the past 2 years (never before) as I lost 5 newly acquired hens to a huge worm burden they apparently came with. After treatment, the last hen of that group (I had purchased 6) got sick but recovered. I do my own fecal egg counts on the horses, and they are low shedders, so only get dewormed once a year after the first hard frost. So I follow the same protocol with the chickens now, since I know worms were introduced into my flock. Also, I do not cull my birds, they live their lives out here, so I do have some older birds as well.

It's no problem to skip the deworming on the youngest (4 1/2 weeks old) and I would think they'd need to build their immune system on their own. However, my large group contains birds from 21 weeks and up.

 

[aart]

I've dewormed my chickens yearly for the past 2 years (never before) as I lost 5 newly acquired hens to a huge worm burden they apparently came with. After treatment, the last hen of that group (I had purchased 6) got sick but recovered. I do my own fecal egg counts on the horses, and they are low shedders, so only get dewormed once a year after the first hard frost. So I follow the same protocol with the chickens now, since I know worms were introduced into my flock. Also, I do not cull my birds, they live their lives out here, so I do have some older birds as well.

It's no problem to skip the deworming on the youngest (4 1/2 weeks old) and I would think they'd need to build their immune system on their own. However, my large group contains birds from 21 weeks and up.

Oh, well, heck, if you can do your own fecals.....and I assume know the risk a pitfalls of resistance.
Contact manufacturer for age of application.....doesn't say anything on website that I could see, so maybe there is no age limit.