Naturally Worming Chickens

[Phoenixxx]

I know they're the same as what we'd get for treatment, but that doesn't mean they're safe for us, either. A lot of medications place additional strain or hardship on certain organs, like the liver. Worming meds wouldn't be any different, know what I mean? Like, maybe it takes a 10x dose to kill, but what kind of damage might be occurring from the standard dose? Not to mention the fact that parasites become resistant over time so newer, stronger, harsher meds need to be used... I am just so glad I managed to find an alternative

 

[dawg53]

Wormwood is not without it's problems, just like any chemical.
http://www.drugs.com/npp/wormwood.html
Proper dosing is the key for any wormer.

 

[Phoenixxx]

Wormwood is not without it's problems, just like any chemical.
http://www.drugs.com/npp/wormwood.html
Proper dosing is the key for any wormer.

Oh, I know - one only need look at what happened to Van Gogh and a few others that hit the absynthe a little too hard to know that wormwood isn't without its dangers - but I figure as long as I keep up the maintenance mix (which has no wormwood in it) I shouldn't ever need to worm them again. The bonus, of course, is that despite being the oldest of all the worm treatments, no parasite has yet built up a resistance that I'm aware of!

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
How long does a package last you, both the wormwood and the maintenance mix?

 

[cafarmgirl]

If they were safe then why must the eggs be tossed for two weeks after treatment? The only "safe" chemical one is piperazine but that only works on roundworms. She (the vet) said that the chemical treatments are very hard on chickens' systems and should be a last resort only.

There are a couple of reasons for tossing eggs after deworming or use of antibiotic's. One being that not all animal medications are tested or FDA approved for human use, so consuming the low levels of any residues left in the eggs could of course carry the potential for an allergic reaction if a person should happen to be allergic. Another being that consuming low levels of medications that might be in eggs from treated birds could further development of resistence in the case of antibiotic's, and in less developed countries then the US where parasites in humans is more often seen, resistence in parasites to dewormers.

Again, I have no issue with using herbal or natural alternatives for deworming, we all do what we feel is best for our flocks. I personally am not sure that I would feel any better using wormwood then a chemical dewormer, based on the toxicology info in the link Dawg provided. I do believe that dosing correctly no matter what one uses is the key and I think if chickens were consuming chemical dewormer on a frequent and ongoing basis then I would be more concerned. I just feel it's a little heavy handed for a vet to write off chemical dewormers as a whole and I would hate for anyone reading something like that to decide they should not deworm their birds.

 

[kristin07035]

As a preventative how often should I worm them? I have 4 pullet hens & will be giving them 2tbs garlic in some water. Should I do this weekly? Monthly? Few times a year?

 

[Phoenixxx]

How long does a package last you, both the wormwood and the maintenance mix?

Don't know yet, lol! I treated a dozen birds with the wormwood twice - once at suggested dosing, once at double - and have half left. I still have most of the other mix left. Not sure what chemical wormers cost but I imagine it would be comparable. For me being in canada, it's the shipping that bites.

 

[Phoenixxx]

As a preventative how often should I worm them? I have 4 pullet hens & will be giving them 2tbs garlic in some water. Should I do this weekly? Monthly? Few times a year?

I can't answer that one. I do know a lot of byc-ers say to chemically treat twice yearly. The stuff I'm using also comes with a twice yearly recommendation in addition to the mild weekly mix. I've also read about people using acv in addition to crushed garlic in the water: the idea being to create a more acidic, and therefore more hostile, environment for parasites.

It seems to me that this topic is largely dependent on many factors, including environment, overall health and vigor of the birds to begin with and personal preferences. I know growing up we NEVER wormed, chemically or otherwise, and in the four years we had the chickens we never had an issue.

 

[bekisar]

For those who want to find WORMWOOD seed here are a few places to get seed......https://www.etsy.com/listing/172170..._edibles_low&gclid=CM6o2J2prL0CFU4aOgodXXUADw http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/herbs/wormwood.html#gsc.tab=0 https://www.horizonherbs.com/product.asp?specific=808 http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/herbs/wormwood.html#gsc.tab=0 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TTGO3C/?tag=backy-20 You can also just do a search by typing in to the top ......."artemisia absinthium seeds for sale". This is a plant that will RE-SEED itself naturally!! I hope this helps someone.

Wayne

 

[Phoenixxx]

For those who want to find WORMWOOD seed here are a few places to get seed......https://www.etsy.com/listing/172170..._edibles_low&gclid=CM6o2J2prL0CFU4aOgodXXUADw http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/herbs/wormwood.html#gsc.tab=0 https://www.horizonherbs.com/product.asp?specific=808 http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/herbs/wormwood.html#gsc.tab=0 http://www.amazon.com/Wormwood-Artemisis-absinthium-Seed-Needs/dp/B002TTGO3C You can also just do a search by typing in to the top ......."artemisia absinthium seeds for sale". This is a plant that will RE-SEED itself naturally!! I hope this helps someone. Wayne

Thanks! And that first link is in canada