How to make runs less parasite friendly?

[FutureHomesteader]

Newb so I have to ask, Do the worms effect or infect the eggs?

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Check ebay for a microscope if you get the chance...there's plenty there.

 

[dawg53]

FutureHomesteader...Yes, it's possible... but not likely.

 

[bokboklady]

hello annmarie, i also have a run for my birds, i feel its safer than free ranging, what i was thinking of doing this year is taking off the top layer of soil and replace with sand or chippings, sand is ok until it rains then it goes really lumpy and soggy then dissapears altogether after a while, i put apple cider vinigar in their water about once a fortnight and so far havnt had worm problems, i sprinkle diatoms ( de) all around inside the coop in the sawdust as they tend to dust bath in it when its horrible outside, but it is a problem when they are in the same place all the time, although my run is quite big i also worry about them picking up something from the tainted soil, so hope this has been helpfull.

 

[FutureHomesteader]

Thanks Dawg, Do you think the chances of worm infection are reduced if they are brought to fresh grass/pasture every few days like with a tractor setup?

 

[lilchick]

Dealing with muddy runs for a few years and decided to change things. Had stone put down and now even on the wettest days they are not digging or eating the dirt. A good rain washes away the poop and the pen looks better too.

I worm once a month with Wazine in their drinking waterer. And every 3 months I give them a dab of Ivermectin horse paste wormer! A tube can do a 1200 lb. horse so it goes a LONG way on chickens. I just squeeze out a dab on my finger and wipe it into their mouth..... You can change out using Safeguard horse wormer also. Since I have horses and a goat I always have some on hand.

 

[Cindy in PA]

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If you are worming that often, how in the heck are you eating any eggs? I thought there was like a 2 week wait to use eggs after worming. Why do you worm so often? Just curious.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
If you are worming that often, how in the heck are you eating any eggs? I thought there was like a 2 week wait to use eggs after worming. Why do you worm so often? Just curious.

I agree with you Cindy in PA concerning the monthly wazine usage. The directions on the bottle recommends worming every 30 days to break the lifecycle of the large roundworms. However, there's a 14 day withdrawal for slaughter. If the chicken is good to eat after the 14th day...so are the eggs. But if they're being rewormed monthly, there's only about 16 days technically safe egg eating time frame.
Lilchick. I recommend that after using wazine, wait 10 days, then use the ivermectin or safeguard paste. This will break the large roundworm lifecycle and kill other worms as well. After dosing with the ivermectin or safeguard, wait 14 days then the eggs will be considered safe to eat. Since your dealing with wet soil for the most part...IMO you should worm semi annually, no more than that. The choice is yours though. Keep in mind that wormers are poisons, albeit mild poisons...too much can be harmful. I worm mine once a quarter due to our warm/damp soil most of the year.