Location, location, location. While worms are worms, there is a difference in areas that are warmer, or more tropical, because they tend to be a more conducive environment for worm proliferation, and tend to have larger wild bird populations which also carry them. As a result, flock management is somewhat different in regards to worming requirements in warmer/tropical climates.
Another factor to consider is egg count in a fecal, and the health of the chicken(s). From everything I've read, roundworms tend to be the most common, followed by tapeworms. A good healthy chicken may have a minimal roundworm egg count, and it's fine. They pick the eggs up from the soil, and when minimal they tend to pass. Let that same chicken get stressed from overheating, a period where a predator is harassing it, molt, etc., and the egg count tends to increase significantly. That's when intervention becomes necessary. In tropical climates, worm proliferation is even higher due to year round warmth, and dampness, so scheduled worming is typically needed.
ACV, and DE are worthless as wormers. For those claiming they use these things, and have never had worms, it's likely they would not have had worms even if they didn't use ACV and/or DE. I've gone a couple years without having to worm, then bam, had to worm. After getting it under control, things were fine for a year, then bam, I had to worm again. 6 months later, I had to worm again, then everything was good for over a couple years. This is backed up by fecal floats, not just guess work. Far too many people have had chickens without a worm overload for several years, using ACV and/or DE, and were shocked when they were suddenly facing a worm overload. These things give a false sense of security.
Another factor to consider is egg count in a fecal, and the health of the chicken(s). From everything I've read, roundworms tend to be the most common, followed by tapeworms. A good healthy chicken may have a minimal roundworm egg count, and it's fine. They pick the eggs up from the soil, and when minimal they tend to pass. Let that same chicken get stressed from overheating, a period where a predator is harassing it, molt, etc., and the egg count tends to increase significantly. That's when intervention becomes necessary. In tropical climates, worm proliferation is even higher due to year round warmth, and dampness, so scheduled worming is typically needed.
ACV, and DE are worthless as wormers. For those claiming they use these things, and have never had worms, it's likely they would not have had worms even if they didn't use ACV and/or DE. I've gone a couple years without having to worm, then bam, had to worm. After getting it under control, things were fine for a year, then bam, I had to worm again. 6 months later, I had to worm again, then everything was good for over a couple years. This is backed up by fecal floats, not just guess work. Far too many people have had chickens without a worm overload for several years, using ACV and/or DE, and were shocked when they were suddenly facing a worm overload. These things give a false sense of security.
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