How to determine worms?

[Mavrik]

I have read a bunch of posts on what meds to use for worms. It's claim Valbazen is the thing to use. What I would like to know is how "you" determine that the issue was solved. Are you taking fecal to a lab? Are you using a microscope? What reference pictures are "you" using to figure out what type of worm it is?

 

[dawg53]

I have read a bunch of posts on what meds to use for worms. It's claim Valbazen is the thing to use. What I would like to know is how "you" determine that the issue was solved. Are you taking fecal to a lab? Are you using a microscope? What reference pictures are "you" using to figure out what type of worm it is?

You see the difference in your chickens after worming them. The arnt lethargic, go back eating/drinking normally, laying eggs again, foraging, running around etc...acting like a chicken should. I dont take fecal samples to be tested. I've learned from experience that testing doesnt necessarily mean they dont have worms or worm eggs and some tests are inaccurate.
Pics coming up: These are tapeworm segments. Each segment contains hundreds of eggs that will eventually work into the soil. Valbazen or Zimectrin Gold will take care of tapeworms. More pics to come:

 

[dawg53]

These are large roundworms inside a chickens intestine. One female worm lays thousands of eggs to be deposited onto the soil. When a chicken pecks the ground, the eggs are swallowed and the worms lifecycle starts over. Damage also occurs to the chickens intestinal lining.

 

[dawg53]

These are gapeworms. They lodge in the chickens windpipe. It's rare that chickens get gapeworms, but it happens sometimes.

 

[dawg53]

This is a fluke, they can be seen in poop as well.

 

[dawg53]

In this pic, there is an eyeworm near the corner of the eye and just above the persons thumb:

 

[dawg53]

Large roundworms in poop:

 

[dawg53]

There are other worms that infect poultry such as cecal worms, capillary worms, gizzard worms. It depends on your environment how often you should worm. I worm once every 3 months, sometimes sooner depending on soil conditions. Worms will eventually starve a chicken to death. Additionally, there's a possibility a worm could find its way into the oviduct, into a forming egg, and then you'll have your meat along with the egg for breakfast:

 

[dawg53]

Here's a link that has pics of various worms and treatments. Note that albendazole (Valbazen) treats them all.
http://healthybirds.umd.edu/Disease/Deworming Birds.pdf

 

[TherryChicken]

Here's a link that has pics of various worms and treatments. Note that albendazole (Valbazen) treats them all.
http://healthybirds.umd.edu/Disease/Deworming Birds.pdf

I've never dewormed my chickens? Should I do it now? What do I use? They seem fine to me, but if I've never de wormed them don't you think they should be done?