How old to worm?

[pharmchickrnmom]

I have 8 chicks that will be 5 weeks old on friday. At what age do you worm chickens and how often? What do you use? Does DE work for worming? Should I use DE now in their sand box to help prevent mites and lice (they dont have any)! What about vaccinations? Are they really necessary? We got our chicks from a local feed store and they have been very healthy and are growing like weeds. I just want to make sure that when we put them out in the tractor, they have all the right things they need to stay healthy. Input anyone???

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I have not wormed my chickens yet, they are almost a year old - some a bit older, but do plan to this fall (when egg production drops off for molt).

DE is a great preventative. I also have not vaccinated my chickens, but know others do - oops let me correct that I do have 4 out of them all who were vaccinated for Mereks.