Natural Worming? Does it really work?

[Chicken.Lytle]

OK, I am a failure at science. I did not check to see if my chickens have worms before I fed them pepper flakes. I will not check after either, since my vet is clueless.

I tried feeding red pepper flakes to the flock. I did not see any obvious evidence of worms in the bright red poo. I also fed them chopped jalapeños with similar (black poo) result. They love the peppers!

What are your experiences? Does anybody have proof that it works?

 

[elmo]

No, I've never read scientific evidence on the efficacy of the so-called natural wormers. I get droppings from our flock tested regularly and so far, no worms. I was surprised, because I live in Texas, too, and I thought worms were inevitable if I allowed the flock to free range. But our vet said not necessarily. He said in a regular suburban backyard environment (as opposed to a farm with lots of other animal manure around), it wasn't as likely.

I'm surprised your vet doesn't know how to do a simple fecal check. If you have a microscope, you can do one yourself with only some relatively inexpensive equipment:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=56638-parasitic-worms

 

[rustic roost]

Ok my question to you is how did the eggs taste after you fed them the peppers?

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

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People downwind of me say they contained extra sulfur.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

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THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I loooooove BYC!