Is it appropriate to de-worm during molting?

[Bsmac]

I need to treat our 23 hens/ pullets for roundworms I have Abendazole 11.36 %. Is it appropriate to treat them during various stages of molting? Also, is the dosage for this percentage the same as what you have listed numerous times? @dawg53

 

[Shadrach]

The experts say no and recommend that one doesn't worm chickens while they are moulting.
I'm not exactly sure why this is and perhaps it depends on the type of worm one is trying to treat and the chemicals used.

 

[RubelliteRose]

I have also heard that you shouldn't deworm during molting. I wouldn't give a preventative dose, but if you are seeing roundworms in droppings, I would deworm anyway. From my first bird starting to molt to the last one finishing is usually around 5 months. Twice now I have mis-timed deworming and had to do it in the middle of molting. I have not noticed any ill effects so far

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have heard that worming during molting can affect feather growth in some way but I do not know this from personsl experience. @coach723, @Eggcessive, @azygous, any insight on this?

 

[azygous]

I haven't heard that worming during molt affects feather growth. If it does, I have never noticed, and believe me, my brain notices every detail.

Logic informs me that there would be no connection to feather quality since the way worm meds work is merely to sedate the parasites so they can be absorbed as protein in the intestines.

This happens to be when I usually worm my flock since there is no concern with egg withdrawal since they aren't laying eggs right now.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This is great news! I will worm mine as soon as I get back from vacation! Thanks, @azygous! Last time I wormed, I discarded over 300 eggs, it broke my heart.

 

[Bsmac]

I have also heard that you shouldn't deworm during molting. I wouldn't give a preventative dose, but if you are seeing roundworms in droppings, I would deworm anyway. From my first bird starting to molt to the last one finishing is usually around 5 months. Twice now I have mis-timed deworming and had to do it in the middle of molting. I have not noticed any ill effects so far

Hello, Which product were you using? I have seen roundworms, and I am uncertain as to which of our 23 birds have them. I would rather be safe than sorry!

 

[Eggcessive]

I have wormed during molting, just because there is a 14 day egg withdrawal time after worming. So that can total 24 days if albendazole or Valbazen is used once and repeated after 10 days. However, some people have warned that fenbendaole or SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer can cause feathers to grow back in weird. I don’t use it so I cannot say if that is true or not. I think others (such as Casportpony) have posted they have used it without a problem during molting. Since many chickens molt in late summer or early fall, that would be a good time to worm, and make sure they don’t have worm load after a long hot summer. Just my opinion.

 

[Bsmac]

I haven't heard that worming during molt affects feather growth. If it does, I have never noticed, and believe me, my brain notices every detail.

Logic informs me that there would be no connection to feather quality since the way worm meds work is merely to sedate the parasites so they can be absorbed as protein in the intestines.

This happens to be when I usually worm my flock since there is no concern with egg withdrawal since they aren't laying eggs right now.

Thanks! That was pretty much what I figured. I will be using albendazole. I haven`t read anything about about that med. having any effect on feather quality. I guess I was more concerned about overall health while administering a wormer while they may be a bit stressed.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most of the wormers we use, such as albendazole and fenbendazole are pretty easy on the system, and work gradually.