Mystery worms? Could be gapeworms?

[casportpony]

I'll take a picture of how to give chicks medicine orally.

-Kathy

 

[mithious]

Just checked on the birds, so far, no ill affects...thinking they probably got around 100 mg per...I thought the English muffins would act like a sponge, with all the air holes in them...but they don't. I put the English muffin pieces in the pampered chef spoon ( to soak up the wormer ) but they didn't work like a sponge...good thing!!!! and to think I was worried they wouldn't get enough...gesshhhh!!!

Been about an hour since I finished dosing them, so total, maybe couple hours? or there about....1 1/2 hrs maybe. Will keep checking them, to be sure they aren't ODing! Oh dear!!! They went back in the coop, as the hawks are around today, so shut them in for a bit...I did wash and change out their water for plain fresh water...hopefully, since it's safeguard, they will be ok!!!

I got the break down written in their notebook, so thanks again for that Kathy!!!

 

[mithious]

I'll take a picture of how to give chicks medicine orally.

-Kathy

Oh thank you again Kathy

You have been so much help!!!! I just checked the birds again, and so far, they seem ok. I know they got wayyy too much, but they seem to be handling it so far. I'll keep checking them today. I let them back out, after the hawks left and they all flew out like they usually do. None of them seem tipsy, or are acting weird....yet...fingers crossed I didn't OD them too bad and they can handle the high dose!!! I really am no good with this medication stuff!!! I really really appreciate your help!!! I did attempt to read the safeguard bottle and could read a little, and there doesn't seem to be any warning on it, or number that I could see, for calling their company....and Sunday, they wouldn't be there, I wouldn't think? I'll just keep checking on them every half hour or so...if by night time, bed time, they haven't keeled over, I will assume they have handled being ODed with the wormer! I would think, by then, about 7pmish, I should see signs if they are not going to handle this. Crap!!! I sure do step in it, when I do, don't I?

 

[dawg53]

According to something I read recently, treatment for Capillary worms is 50mg/kg by mouth for five days and treatment for gapes is 20mg/kg by mouth for three days. Given that you're using 3ml/gallon (150mg/gallon) I doubt that any of your birds are getting more than 5mg/kg, which is no where near enough to treat any worms. I have seen this dose referenced in many posts, but I have never seen a properly published article that says 3ml/gallon (150mg/gallon).

-Kathy

x2
I used to recommend 3 or 4ml safeguard liquid goat wormer to a gallon of water for 3 days straight. You're right Kathy, it's ineffective because the wormer is too diluted/weak. Also it doesnt really mix well with water and tends to settle at the bottom of the container. It requires stirring the mixture quite often. I no longer recommend this method of worming. It's always best to give wormers orally. That way you know they ARE properly wormed with no guesswork. Additionally, wormy birds are usually lethargic and wont drink treated water, if they do, they dont drink enough of it to be effective.

 

[dawg53]

I'll take a picture of how to give chicks medicine orally.


-Kathy

Oh thank you again Kathy  You have been so much help!!!! I just checked the birds again, and so far, they seem ok. I know they got wayyy too much, but they seem to be handling it so far. I'll keep checking them today. I let them back out, after the hawks left and they all flew out like they usually do. None of them seem tipsy, or are acting weird....yet...fingers crossed I didn't OD them too bad and they can handle the high dose!!!  I really am no good with this medication stuff!!! I really really appreciate your help!!! I did attempt to read the safeguard bottle and could read a little, and there doesn't seem to be any warning on it, or number that I could see, for calling their company....and Sunday, they wouldn't be there, I wouldn't think? I'll just keep checking on them every half hour or so...if by night time, bed time, they haven't keeled over, I will assume they have handled being ODed with the wormer! I would think, by then, about 7pmish, I should see signs if they are not going to handle this. Crap!!! I sure do step in it, when I do, don't I?

It's hard to overdose a chicken on fenbendazole. However, since I dont know how much you gave them....I dont recommend giving anymore wormers to your birds at this time. Calling the company would be useless; they will simply say that their product isnt for use in chickens.

 

[casportpony]

Dawg is right, orally is the only way to do it!

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

It's hard to overdose a chicken on fenbendazole. However, since I dont know how much you gave them....I dont recommend giving anymore wormers to your birds at this time. Calling the company would be useless; they will simply say that their product isnt for use in chickens.

X2

-Kathy

 

[jonalisa]

Quote:

Thank you for answering. - I appreciate it.
It may sound like a stupid question, but I don't have chickens yet and I am trying to learn everything I can.

jonalisa

 

[mithious]

Thank you for answering. - I appreciate it.
It may sound like a stupid question, but I don't have chickens yet and I am trying to learn everything I can.

jonalisa

You are very welcome, I am doing the same, I used to raise chickens, years ago, and everything is different now, so I have to learn all new things. I read a lot at night. Especially on this forum. There are people that have some great knowledge and are so helpful on here!!!

Dawg, thank you!! I agree, I was not dosing them correctly. I read a whole thread you wrote about worms on and you make perfect sense! I put the pampered chef spoon on 2.5 ml and tried to soak the pieces of english muffins in it for a second or two, but that didn't work well at all, I would guess they got less than half of what was actually in the spoon, as most ended up on the shelf, my hands, and on them...if that helps any?

I really think I have a bad case of worms though...I came in the house, a few days ago, went back out and found what I thought at the time, was a baby earthworm, climbing up the side of my house by my door...really red, about the width of the side of a penny and maybe 1 1/2 inches long. I threw it off the porch, again, thinking it was an earthworm, but now that I think more about it, I believe it was the day I went to the Dr's, was in a hurry and noticed one red poo, when I was scraping off the poop boards, and I do wipe my boots off, right there by the door to the cabin....I really do think it was a gape, maybe a capillary worm from my boots? I'm older, so these things don't click with me right away. I have to think it through and put the pieces together...and try to remember...it's getting harder...so I keep a notebook for the really important things.

That one pullet I weighed, if those fish scales are correct, only weighed ONE pound. I do think it might've been the one doing the most gaping( but stopped when I started treating with the wormer ) and they are 16 weeks. That is wayyy too skinny. The cockerels comb is getting a lot redder with the worming, especially today, and they are eating like no tomorrow. Way more than they were before the worming. I have lots of faces on the pullets getting redder and combs too.

My questions, now that I have taken so many words to get here...if I can not keep treating them with any more wormer, what about the worms? How do I get her/them, to gain weight? ( the rest felt pretty light also ) Do I wait to see if they rebound from the wormer and go back to the buttermilk and eggs, along with their feed? I'd sure hate to lose the ground I have gained, so far. They were doing ok when I checked them at bed time, about 7pmish. All were roosting, none acting funny. They were all eating and drinking prior to that, as they usually do, right before bed. I barely had any runny poos this morning and what was there, was mixed with some regular poo's...so they were getting better. Can I treat them any time soon? Like the 3 days in 10? or not at all for a good length of time? My gut is telling me they have worms. I see none, but that one on the wall by my door, that probably came off my boot and that one red poo that could've been some also....how long do I wait to treat them? I only have the 14 pullets and one cockerel. Is it possible that ODing them got rid of all the worms? Sorry for so many questions, but I really don't know what I am doing here. This is my first time ever treating for worms! I don't ever remember my Daddy giving any meds to the chickens. I really appreciate all the help, you and Kathy are giving me!!! I respect both of your wealth of knowledge and will follow your directions! Just please help me know what I need to do to help my chickens start to thrive again!!!! Thanks so very much to both of you!!!!!

 

[mithious]

x2
I used to recommend 3 or 4ml safeguard liquid goat wormer to a gallon of water for 3 days straight. You're right Kathy, it's ineffective because the wormer is too diluted/weak. Also it doesnt really mix well with water and tends to settle at the bottom of the container. It requires stirring the mixture quite often. I no longer recommend this method of worming. It's always best to give wormers orally. That way you know they ARE properly wormed with no guesswork. Additionally, wormy birds are usually lethargic and wont drink treated water, if they do, they dont drink enough of it to be effective.

Yes I also noticed it was settling, I just wrote you this long post above, if you are willing to offer an opinion?I would be forever grateful!!!

I was changing out their water 3-4 times a day and washing the water container because of the meds settling in the drinking part....they had just started drinking more, the past few days, and it has been cool here, so it's not heat related. I have their water container marked from the cocci back a few months ago. I am starting to think the land is infested here with all the rain we have had. I really need help, please and thank you!!!!