Natural deworming

[Marie2020]

If you don't have health problems, I wouldn't recommend deworming at all.

I haven't had worms for years lol. Sorry

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I like using diatomaceous earth for all my critters, just mix it in the feed for several days. You can find it at feed stores and amazon - use a mask when handling it because it can cause respiratory problems.

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Did you know that many feed already contain DE and is approved as an anti caking agent a ta rate of up to 2%?

What you actually have is a false sense of security with NO evidence it works since most internal parasites stay inside and only their microscopic oocysts (eggs) will pass in droppings to even be seen by the naked eye. Only large round worms and tape worms may ever be seen in droppings and then only under heavy load.

Why won't anyone get fecal floats done by a professional and post results when they use these so called alternative or natural methods?! There are some mail in services that may not even require one to leave the house!

Not a single one of the companies that sell DE claim it to work as a deworming agent... They would make that claim as a selling point if they could. ALL of the packages state that DE is inert in WET conditions like those INSIDE the body.

Even the wiki link.. shows it doesn't work in agriculture.. scroll down to studies cited... quotes taken from link..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

"Medical-grade diatomite has been studied for its efficacy as a deworming agent in cattle; in both studies cited the groups being treated with diatomaceous earth did not fare any better than control groups"

• Agriculture

Natural freshwater diatomaceous earth is used in agriculture for grain storage as an anticaking agent, as well as an insecticide.[25] It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a feed additive[26] to prevent caking.

Some believe it may be used as a natural anthelmintic (dewormer), although studies have not shown it to be effective.[17][18] Some farmers add it to their livestock and poultry feed to prevent the caking of feed.[27] "Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth" is widely available in agricultural feed supply stores."


One final sentiment... the term natural or organic isn't all it's cracked up to be.. Oleander is natural and deadly.. So is arsenic and many other compounds.

Natural and organic stuff can also be toxic.. With anything in life, we desire perfection but achieve to the best of our ability.

So many things effect parasite load.. including stock density, soil type, weather pattern, wildlife load, husbandry practice.. and overall health. Healthy birds fight off all things better. Start with good nutrition not diminished by excess treats.

DON'T treat ANYTHING just because without any cause.. that's like getting stitches when you aren't cut.. for what?!

Anyways, this is a general post for informational purposes (according to my perspective) and not completely or personally directed at the poster I welcomed.

This thread, maybe not as instructional but still interesting posts about fecal floats.. that might kinda show WHY we do them..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fecal-float-questions.1404962/#post-23060574

 

[EggSighted4Life]

DE is worthless. It does nothing but get your chickens sick. They have poor respiratory systems and breathing in tiny sharp edges will just make micro cuts in their lungs.

As much as I don't like DE and it isn't welcome here.. the statement that it's worthless is a broad statement that is factually not true.

It has many uses and is effective at them in many locations and for many people.. despite not working as in internal anti-parasitic agent and also not being effective in MY location against any species due to high humidity. This why there is such a disparity between right and left.. SMH.

Folks let's learn to balance our reality instead of blowing things out of proportion and buying into headline BS without searching deeper and deciding for ourselves what the truth is. Get all the facts and try not to bully people or fear monger them into your same perspective. And TRY to make accurate statements.. that can be verified instead of argued against.

 

[CHlCKEN]

As much as I don't like DE and it isn't welcome here.. the statement that it's worthless is a broad statement that is factually not true.

It has many uses and is effective at them in many locations and for many people.. despite not working as in internal anti-parasitic agent and also not being effective in MY location against any species due to high humidity. This why there is such a disparity between right and left.. SMH.

Folks let's learn to balance our reality instead of blowing things out of proportion and buying into headline BS without searching deeper and deciding for ourselves what the truth is. Get all the facts and try not to bully people or fear monger them into your same perspective. And TRY to make accurate statements.. that can be verified instead of argued against.

I was trying to say it in a less offensive way, online chatting can be difficult to interpret when there are no facial expressions and voice tones to read! I just wanted to make it clear it was not at all a good idea to use DE with chickens and that there is a whole misconception that it’s miracle food. I was putting in the things that I know are bad about DE, including the fact that it is dangerous to breath in, and does not help with worms. I admit I was trying to prove my point and I came off a little strongly but I hope you understand. There are ways you can use it but I believe that with your chickens, putting it in dust bathes, dusting your chickens with it, and making them breathe it in is a terrible idea as they have poor respiratory systems and it can lead to plenty of issues.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I was trying to say it in a less offensive way, online chatting can be difficult to interpret when there are no facial expressions and voice tones to read! I just wanted to make it clear it was not at all a good idea to use DE with chickens and that there is a whole misconception that it’s miracle food. I was putting in the things that I know are bad about DE, including the fact that it is dangerous to breath in, and does not help with worms. I admit I was trying to prove my point and I came off a little strongly but I hope you understand. There are ways you can use it but I believe that with your chickens, putting it in dust bathes, dusting your chickens with it, and making them breathe it in is a terrible idea as they have poor respiratory systems and it can lead to plenty of issues.

Well, that's not what you said, almost none of it actually.. it didn't come off strongly to me.. it came off as misinformed (NO rudeness intended here please).. and so I was JUST trying to share with you that even without smiley faces etc.. we can still attract more flies with honey than vinegar.. and broad untrue statements are... LIES that just make them incredible (huh, never thought incredible meant not believable before now). The great thing about this type of stuff.. is it gives me a chance to review my own approach and has grown me into a more well rounded person and ultimately not a ranting hot wind bag like some folks (in my life locally) who must talk above everyone else to get their point out and only focus on headlines refusing to look at the WHOLE situation.

I agree with your take, and your thoughts on the subject as well as on the online communication challenge. I don't mean to call you out personally.. It's the statement I disagree with.. noting we all have different value system and what some folks consider worthless I might consider priceless. I always reconsider what I've posted and read throughout the day which gives me a chance process things fully, especially coming full circle and being convicted to practice what I preach. I'm still learning to navigate this social thing, and don't always get it right!

Anyways, happy to make your acquaintance and be growing in this community together!

 

[Aquatic_blue]

Thank you for your reply. There are so many conflicting views on this garlic it's so hard to work out which is right way.
I cook a tiny amount into scraps of vegetables adding the crumbs and layers feed, but only use the garlic one a week of fortnightly.

As long as your ducks are fine with it then we're good!

Definitely a lot of controversy over garlic/onion, I hear you! I hope things are going well with your ducks!

 

[Isaac 0]

There are sulfuric compounds in garlic, that at moderate to high doses can cause severe hemolysis,( also know as rupturing of the red blood cells (RBC's). Which can subsequently result in anemia. There have been cases of deadly toxicosis because of direct ingestion of these compounds,

"Fatal toxicity has been described in geese fed large amounts of green onions as well as one conure fed large amounts of garlic."

https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/Unsafe-Foods.pdf

I think the word Oleander has already been brought up here, but I think that's a good example. There are several benefits to oleander (used for several different conditions), and as may know there are also several fatal side effects of consuming oleander.

It probably would not be the best idea, for the well-being of other people in gereral, for me to post an article without mentioning the side effects of oleander consumption only the positives. The same case is with galic, and it's sad because you see articles often mentioned like this one here, which states all the benefits of garlic, but fails to address the possible side effects of garlic consumption in birds.
https://www.researchgate.net/public...lic_on_the_health_and_performance_of_broilers

So when we scrape it down to the bare metal, and just look at the situation as whole. Why are we taking the risk of feeding bird garlic? It just doesn't make sense to me, but, of course, you have the right to think what you want, just as the same with me. I do feel I need to respond when I see someone suggesting garlic, because it is a deadly substance with birds.

 

[misshell]

My chickens have eaten glass, wood, styrofoam, plastic... I have a hard time beliveing they will drop dead from eating garlic. They seem to have iron stomachs so far.

 

[Chicalina]

There are sulfuric compounds in garlic, that at moderate to high doses can cause severe hemolysis,( also know as rupturing of the red blood cells (RBC's). Which can subsequently result in anemia. There have been cases of deadly toxicosis because of direct ingestion of these compounds,

"Fatal toxicity has been described in geese fed large amounts of green onions as well as one conure fed large amounts of garlic."

https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/Unsafe-Foods.pdf

I think the word Oleander has already been brought up here, but I think that's a good example. There are several benefits to oleander (used for several different conditions), and as may know there are also several fatal side effects of consuming oleander.

It probably would not be the best idea, for the well-being of other people in gereral, for me to post an article without mentioning the side effects of oleander consumption only the positives. The same case is with galic, and it's sad because you see articles often mentioned like this one here, which states all the benefits of garlic, but fails to address the possible side effects of garlic consumption in birds.
https://www.researchgate.net/public...lic_on_the_health_and_performance_of_broilers

So when we scrape it down to the bare metal, and just look at the situation as whole. Why are we taking the risk of feeding bird garlic? It just doesn't make sense to me, but, of course, you have the right to think what you want, just as the same with me. I do feel I need to respond when I see someone suggesting garlic, because it is a deadly substance with birds.

Anything in ridiculously high volume can be dangerous. If you ate nothing but carrots for a month you would be seriously ill. That doesn't make carrots 'a deadly substance' such that you shouldn't eat them!

A small amount of garlic fed to your flock from time to time can be very beneficial.

My chickens eat dirt half the day and nobody is telling me to keep them away from dirt. because dirt kills.