Lots of talk about worms...

[kittikatti69]

So, being new to the chicken world (I've had my girls for about 6mo)... I never even knew chickens could GET worms... but with all the talk about it on here, I'm wondering how to handle that. Should I be using a preventative on a regular basis? Or is it just something you treat when it's noticed?

 

[robin416]

By the time the birds show signs that they have worms they will have a very heavy load. It can do permanent damage to the birds.

One of the things that Wes got me to try was Eprinex pour on for cattle & hogs. I love the stuff because its simple to use and I don't have to make certain my birds are drinking it. The other thing he recommends is that there also be a worming for round worms, Eprinex does not take care of round worms, using Wazine.

Right now I'm using the Eprinex in the late Winter and the Wazine in the late Summer. That is subject to change if I see anything going on.

My second recommendation is taking a couple fecals to the vet. That way you will know for certainty what, if anything, you need to treat for.

 

[eggchel]

Some folks worm every three months as a preventative. Others dont worm at all. Some try organic preventatives or D.E. (sorry, I dont remember what is used for the organics). And some only treat when they see symptoms.

chel

 

[robin416]

That was the other reason I like Eprinex it also takes care of mites. I forgot about that. My birds are on sand so mites are generally not a problem for me so just call it brain fade.

 

[robin416]

I just added a critical word from my earlier post "mites are not generally a problem for me"

When Wes first mentioned the thing about the Eprinex I did some reading before I took the plunge, dang that stuff is pricey. But in some of the reading I did there was a statement that the oily base of the injectable stayed on the top of the water and made treatment spotty for some birds. OK, I eliminated that one right away. Injecting? No way, just me here so there's no one to hold the birds for me. Since catching my Silkies is easy the pour on was a wonderful solution. Plus the lack of withdrawel time.

I didn't know about the paste but would probably think the same thing, what a mess that could end up being when foofoo birds are involved.

 

[Wes in Tx]

I have to mention right now because I see big confusion here. Eprinex and Ivermec are NOT the same thing and according Merial the maker of Eprinex it doesn't come in a paste form. Now that being said there are some paste out there made with Ivermectin in them that do the same thing but the also have other things in them. I have searched high and low and can not find a paste that contains Eprinomectin. I will continue to search it out.


I know lots of floks use the Ivermec on there birds but I do not recommend it because it has some very, very long withdrawal times depending on which you use.

The difference is Eprinex is (eprinomectin) and Ivermec is (ivermectin). The Eprinex is the only one that does NOT have a withdrawal time when used on dairy cows for whom it was designed.

 

[dlhunicorn]

In this article "IVOMEC (Eprinex > ivomaec is simply the brand name) it gives instruction for usage...and though it also gives for addition to water, it clearly states they also prefer the "spot-on" topical treatment. I have researched this and as far as I am able to ascertain this is the best form of ivomec (eprinex) and the spot-on topical is preferable to in the water.
http://www.homestead.com/shilala/ivomec.html