Natural deworming

[Greystone farm]

Hey!
I want to deworm my ducks before winter. I don't see any symptoms, but just want to be safe
Does anyone have any suggestions for doing it at home, naturally? I do cayenne pepper and shredded carrots for my chickens, which I have heard works. Not sure if that works for ducks, too?
Thanks for any help!

 

[TiffanyVL]

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.

 

[Isaac 0]

Contrary to what some people believe, DE (Diatomaceous earth), will do nothing as far as controlling worm populations. Put simply, it's ineffective when wet, and in case you're unaware a bird's intestines are wet.

As mentioned above, DE can irritate the lungs of our respiratory sytems. Did you know birds have very sensitive respiratory systems, more than us (?) If we're supposed to were mask handling this stuff why are we putting it in their feed? Actually, the IARC rates DE as a group 3 carcinogen.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/stan...as been tested,the research conducted to date.

The carrots and cayenne are doing little for your birds as well. I'm unaware of any natural products for deterring worms in birds.

If your worried about worms, but don't want to unnecessarily deworm them, go collect a few fresh fecal samples, mix them together and bring them to your vet, and ask for a fecal floation. This diagnostic test measures the number of worm eggs in the feces and lets you know if there is an overabundance to the point where you want to treat them.

I perform several diagnostic tests here on the farm (Peripheral blood smears, urinalysis, gram stains, total plasma protein evaluations) as well as centrifugal fecal floations, which, as I stated above lets me get a good idea how many worm eggs each bird has instead of contributing to some of the dewormer resistance you're starting to see in some parasites. If you are interested in starting fecal flotations, just ask.

 

[Chicalina]

You can just buy an animal dewormer from the feed store or from Amazon or an online vet product supplier.

 

[Marie2020]

Contrary to what some people believe, DE (Diatomaceous earth), will do nothing as far as controlling worm populations. Put simply, it's ineffective when wet, and in case you're unaware a bird's intestines are wet.

As mentioned above, DE can irritate the lungs of our respiratory sytems. Did you know birds have very sensitive respiratory systems, more than us (?) If we're supposed to were mask handling this stuff why are we putting it in their feed? Actually, the IARC rates DE as a group 3 carcinogen.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1999-04-05#:~:text=Diatomaceous earth has been tested,the research conducted to date.

The carrots and cayenne are doing little for your birds as well. I'm unaware of any natural products for deterring worms in birds.

If your worried about worms, but don't want to unnecessarily deworm them, go collect a few fresh fecal samples, mix them together and bring them to your vet, and ask for a fecal floation. This diagnostic test measures the number of worm eggs in the feces and lets you know if there is an overabundance to the point where you want to treat them.

I perform several diagnostic tests here on the farm (Peripheral blood smears, urinalysis, gram stains, total plasma protein evaluations) as well as centrifugal fecal floations, which, as I stated above lets me get a good idea how many worm eggs each bird has instead of contributing to some of the dewormer resistance you're starting to see in some parasites. If you are interested in starting fecal flotations, just ask.

I am trying to stay as natural as possible but will lean towards anything that helps and doesn't harm my birds. Would you mind letting me know more about the fecal flotation please. Vets are many miles away and no transport with another lockdown on the way here.

 

[Marie2020]

I found a link in here to arts articles @Isaac 0

 

[Aquatic_blue]

With our chickens we use food grade Diatomaceous Earth. Just mix a cup of it in a large bucket of feed or less depending on the size of the feeder and mix it around in there. They'll get pieces of it.

A tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar ("with the mother") in a gallon of water can help, too. They'll drink it up. (do not use with macrolide antibiotics or when they are getting stressed with the heat). Some people don't use ACV at all because it interferes with the calcium in egg production and depletes their calcium levels. I don't seem to have an issue as long as it's heavily diluted and I don't use it every day. I would NOT use ACV in a galvanized metal waterer (plastic or stainless steel is probably best).

 

[Marie2020]

With our chickens we use food grade Diatomaceous Earth. Just mix a cup of it in a large bucket of feed or less depending on the size of the feeder and mix it around in there. They'll get pieces of it.

A tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar ("with the mother") in a gallon of water can help, too. They'll drink it up. (do not use with macrolide antibiotics or when they are getting stressed with the heat). Some people don't use ACV at all because it interferes with the calcium in egg production and depletes their calcium levels. I don't seem to have an issue as long as it's heavily diluted and I don't use it every day. I would NOT use ACV in a galvanized metal waterer (plastic or stainless steel is probably best).

I've used the benonite clay and I also add cider vinegar in their water. I haven't used garlic in a while so will add some later.

 

[Isaac 0]

Not sure if my post is being referred to as being rude/weird ( ) I certainly didn't mean it to come out that way. I have very strong views with DE, and other "natural products" because early on in my poultry-keeping they were suggested to me a lot. So when I had a mite infestation, I opted for DE, treated, dusted all the birds/coop. Fast forward a few weeks and they still had it.

After I realized some of the controversies around DE, I got a permethrin spray which took care of the mites in a very short period of time.

My point is, these natural products tend to be ineffective, so I have a hard time seeing them recommend at all, because you're not only providing the owner with misleading information, but putting the birds life at risk too.

 

[Isaac 0]

I am trying to stay as natural as possible but will lean towards anything that helps and doesn't harm my birds. Would you mind letting me know more about the fecal flotation please. Vets are many miles away and no transport with another lockdown on the way here.

Check this thread out,

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doing-fecal-flotation-exams-at-home.1071295/