I want to implement a worming program, need imput

[gritsar]

I'm hoping that asking these questions on the forum will help eliminate some of the confusion on worming.
I want to implement a worming program. I've done little more than read about worming on the forum for the past two days and have ended up more confused than ever.
I think it would be very helpful if those members that have a good worming program in place would add their imput. Thanks!

I haven't seen any worms, but have seen some questionable poos and I'm not happy with the weight gain of my buff brahmas. Also, I am pretty freaky about food safety; even more so after my SO almost died last from e.coli last year.
I've narrowed the choices down to three options:

Ivomec (eprinex)Pour On: Expensive, but I can manage it. I know the dosage - 1/4 cc. for bantams, 1/2 cc. for standards, applied to the back of the neck.
I believe you apply it, repeat in two weeks and then do it once a year.
What is the withdrawel period for eating the eggs?

Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 Tbsp. per gallon of water. Used to treat worms or only as a preventative?

Pumpkin seeds and Buttermilk: The method I would prefer IF it treats existing worms. How often do you feed it and what do you use as a laxative follow-up?

 

[speckledhen]

Ivomec (eprinex)Pour On: Expensive, but I can manage it. I know the dosage - 1/4 cc. for bantams, 1/2 cc. for standards, applied to the back of the neck.
I believe you apply it, repeat in two weeks and then do it once a year.
What is the withdrawel period for eating the eggs?

Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 Tbsp. per gallon of water. Used to treat worms or only as a preventative?

Pumpkin seeds and Buttermilk: The method I would prefer IF it treats existing worms. How often do you feed it and what do you use as a laxative follow-up?

Not sure of any suggested withdrawal period on eggs with Eprinex. I eat the eggs since the Pour On says there is no milk or meat withdrawal period. I've only used it twice in their three years of life and the first time was because I did see one worm in Suede's poop. I've never seen worms in anyone's poop but that one time with him and I wormed the entire flock.

I only use ACV on occasion and if someone seems to be having a crop issue. Seems to help. I dont use it for worms and dont know that it has any effect.

The pumpkin seed thing I do once or twice a week in oatmeal, actually. There has been a suggestion of using a molasses flush afterward. I dont regularly do that. Curcurbit in the seeds paralyzes the worm and I think the buttermilk with its acidity sets up an environment so they flush out, but I dont remember if there is something else about buttermilk.​

 

[gritsar]

Thanks speckled! I really wanted your imput but didn't want to bother you with a PM.
I think I'm going to try the pumpkin seed thing. Mine love the seeds, but won't eat a pumpkin. Next time I'm in town I'm going to look for unsalted pumpkin seeds (if I can find them in Podunk) and go that route to start with.
Thanks again! Have an awesome day!

 

[Wynette]

A few thoughts...I'm told pumpkin seed only words to ward off possible worm infestation; it will not work on a current worm issue. And, they must be raw seeds that are cracked open (like in a food processor). I've been wondering where in the world you get raw pumpkin seeds throughout the year, other than in October. My theory is that if you do not have worms currently and do the raw pumkin seed thing a couple times in October, maybe that's enough to last a full year? Not sure on that, though.

I can vouch for at least one poultry vet's opinion on Eprinext. About a month back, I took a pullet to a poultry vet who said she recommends to all her chicken owning clients to worm them every 6 months with Eprinex. However, she indicated that a 4 week withdrawal is recommended. Just one vet's opinion.

I'll be curious to see other folks' opinions on this, as I've wondered myself. Thanks for posting, Gritsar!

 

[redhen]

will other winter squashes work like the pumpkin?..like butter nut or hubbard?...also, how do you do a molasses flush? thanks, Wendy

 

[speckledhen]

Wynette, yes the pumpkin seed thing is not for a huge worm load, but a healthy chicken can handle a few worms just fine. Those are the ones the seeds eliminate, so it is considered a way to keep the load down, however, if the worm load is heavy, then I would go the Eprinex route instead and not play around.
I'd say a 4 week withdrawal would be for the Invermectin, also Ivomec, not the Eprinex PourOn. That said, I've never down a 4 week withdrawal on anything, only 2 weeks.
All squashes contain curcurbit, if I'm not mistaken. My local grocery store, well big chain "Ingles", carries, in their produce section, lots of bulk nuts and you can grind them into butters in that same area. They have unsalted shelled pumpkin seeds. If they were out, my health food store has a bag, but obviously, more expensive.

 

[danamillette]

Can u actually see the worms in the poo, like with a dog or cat?

 

[SSO202]

Quote:
That is a good question.....to de-worm or not to de-worm? A couple of my hens have very runny, yellow in color poop. I even saw one discharge straight liquid today. I'm wondering if that is the reason I don't have any eggs yet.

 

[Wynette]

Cyn, yep, my vet was talking about Eprinex. But, again, that's just one vet's opinion, and I don't think testing has been done on Eprinex because it's actually a cattle wormer. I woudl think 2 weeks would be sufficient?

Also, Cyn - maybe you answered this and I missed it- do the seeds, in fact, need to be raw? This is what I read in another thread, but I wasn't sure on it...thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

I dont know if the toasted seeds would have the same benefit as the raw ones, Wynette. If I find out, I'll let you know.
We do so many off-label things with our chickens, out of sheer necessity. I wish they'd approve a wormer for chickens besides Wazine (that only gets roundworms). I say it would be entirely up to your own discretion and comfort level, how long to toss the eggs. I'd say minimum two weeks with most any wormer or antibiotic, but as I mentioned, the lack of withdrawal for cattle to me translates to little to no withdrawal for eggs. That's just my own personal take on that, though.