I think our chicken has worms

[Belbris]

one of our chickens hasn’t been laying for a couple of weeks and has been irregular for maybe a few months. She has been losing some feathers and growing new ones in recent week or two. It’s beginning of autumn here in Australia but still pretty warm.

Poop has seemed normal (until today), she looks normal except she won’t let us pat her (she’s runs away instead of squatting like she used to).

She is a 14 month old australorp.

This morning I found some long (dead) white worms in the poop under the roost (see photo inside the green circles I added). I’m assuming it’s from the same chicken that isn’t laying and losing feathers but don’t really know (we have 2 australorps).

These are our first chickens so new to this. Would prefer a natural solution if possible but not sure if that’s feasible. Any advice much appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use a wormer to treat those roundworms. Do you have a vet who could do a fecal test on some droppings to look for worm eggs? I would use a broad spectrum wormer to get rid of most types of chicken worms. What worming products do you have available? I have used Wormout Gel in the water for 2 days, which is available in Australia from Planet Poultry. Do you have fenbendazole (Panacur?) There is a panacur 100 cattle/sheep wormer drench that is sold in Australia. Albendazole is also very good. There are no natural products to kill a roundworm infestation.

She sounds like she is molting, and they can be standoffish.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Agree with above poster...

Noting that both birds should be treated for the worms. Also not laying eggs is normal during molt. She will start laying again once fully recovered from molt.

 

[Belbris]

I would use a wormer to treat those roundworms. Do you have a vet who could do a fecal test on some droppings to look for worm eggs? I would use a broad spectrum wormer to get rid of most types of chicken worms. What worming products do you have available? I have used Wormout Gel in the water for 2 days, which is available in Australia from Planet Poultry. Do you have fenbendazole (Panacur?) There is a panacur 100 cattle/sheep wormer drench that is sold in Australia. Albendazole is also very good. There are no natural products to kill a roundworm infestation.

She sounds like she is molting, and they can be standoffish.

Have never used a vet as these are our first pets. Will check at our pet store to see what’s available.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most farm stores that sell cattle, sheep, and goat feed may have albendazole or fenbendazole wormers. Here is the wormout Gel which you may find in pet stores:
https://www.petstopnh.com/vetafarm-...nZ3oF-dPwpQYvOnnbctgSM_qghsMjblxoC5roQAvD_BwE

 

[Belbris]

I’ve seen Kilverm online too ... is the wormout gel the best option if I can get it? Or do they all pretty much do the same. I think I saw the kilverm one doesn’t stop you eating the eggs ... but I don’t know, you’d think any chemical is going to come through to the eggs.

 

[Eggcessive]

Kilverm is levamisole, and it will work for roundworms. It should work okay, and is given in the water. I have used the Wormout Gel, and it works against a few more types of worms. It is used in water for 2 days. But either one should work for you.
https://www.dineachook.com.au/products/Kilverm-Poultry-Wormer-125ml.html

 

[Eggcessive]

Piperazine is another wormer that can go in the water for 1 day. Most wormers recommend a 14 day egg withdrawal time.
https://www.pharmachem.com.au/piperazine.html

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a study that says that levamisole (Kilverm) may be detected in eggs up to 9 days after administration:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15685936