Is it safe to worm young birds?

[Rea17]

I missed my spring flock worming this year, and would really like to get back on top of it. My problem is, my broody hatched out some babies that are now 4 weeks old (on dirt with the rest of the flock), and I'm not sure if they are old enough to be wormed. I have piperazine and safeguard.

Would it be best to have the whole flock wait until they are old enough? Or just worm everyone except them and include them in the fall worming (I'm assuming that's the best way to get back on a schedule?). Thanks in advance

 

[dawg53]

I missed my spring flock worming this year, and would really like to get back on top of it. My problem is, my broody hatched out some babies that are now 4 weeks old (on dirt with the rest of the flock), and I'm not sure if they are old enough to be wormed. I have piperazine and safeguard.

Would it be best to have the whole flock wait until they are old enough? Or just worm everyone except them and include them in the fall worming (I'm assuming that's the best way to get back on a schedule?). Thanks in advance

You can worm the chicks in as little as 5-6 weeks especially since they're on soil. Piperazine will work since large roundworms would be most common early on and cause the most damage the first several months of life. Follow up again 3 weeks later. Dont use safeguard in molting birds in the fall/winter. Your chicks wont molt this fall/winter and it'll be ok to use the safeguard on them.

 

[Rea17]

Thanks for the reply dawg. So, I'll worm everyone with piperazine and follow up with something besides safeguard? My understanding is that I shouldn't use the same wormer again for a while because the worms will build a resistance. So piperazine again would be out, correct?

 

[dawg53]

Thanks for the reply dawg. So, I'll worm everyone with piperazine and follow up with something besides safeguard? My understanding is that I shouldn't use the same wormer again for a while because the worms will build a resistance. So piperazine again would be out, correct?

You shouldnt be worming birds during molt if that's your goal, they are stressed enough as it is during molt. Before or after molt is best. However I would use valbazen during molt in an urgent situation.