Need Worming Advice

[TheSpiceGirls]

I've had hens for 4.5 years. One of my 1.3 year old BO's was just diagnosed as having a type of Protozoa and a nematode (roundworm) by a vet. And I'm totally freaking out.

Do I just need to get over that and accept the fact that chickens get worms?

The hen is acting fine so I told the vet that waiting till Monday to sort this out and figure out a course of treatment was fine.
I'm assuming that I'm going to want to treat all four hens?

Just looking for a little reassurance that this too shall pass.

 

[dawg53]

I've had hens for 4.5 years. One of my 1.3 year old BO's was just diagnosed as having a type of Protozoa and a nematode (roundworm) by a vet. And I'm totally freaking out.

Do I just need to get over that and accept the fact that chickens get worms?

The hen is acting fine so I told the vet that waiting till Monday to sort this out and figure out a course of treatment was fine.
I'm assuming that I'm going to want to treat all four hens?

Just looking for a little reassurance that this too shall pass.

The protozoa is probably cocci. All chickens carry cocci. When it gets out of control is when it's a problem. If the microscopic slide was loaded with cocci, it would be best treat your BO with corid. If there's only a small amount of oocysts on the slide, that would be considered normal.
Worms are a different story. They will slowly starve your chickens to death. They also weaken the immune system opening the door for diseases to infect them. Your vet should give you panacur or pyrantel pamoate to treat for worms or you could do it yourself using safeguard liquid goat wormer which is the same thing as panacur. The vet may give you albon to treat for cocci (if it's out of control, but it doesnt sound like it.) I'd prefer to give corid since there isnt a withdrawal period.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

The protozoa is probably cocci. All chickens carry cocci. When it gets out of control is when it's a problem. If the microscopic slide was loaded with cocci, it would be best treat your BO with corid. If there's only a small amount of oocysts on the slide, that would be considered normal.
Worms are a different story. They will slowly starve your chickens to death. They also weaken the immune system opening the door for diseases to infect them. Your vet should give you panacur or pyrantel pamoate to treat for worms or you could do it yourself using safeguard liquid goat wormer which is the same thing as panacur. The vet may give you albon to treat for cocci (if it's out of control, but it doesnt sound like it.) I'd prefer to give corid since there isnt a withdrawal period.

Thanks so much for this. Great info. I will follow up w/ the vet tomorrow.

 

[djcart]

I use 1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of drinking water. My flock has never had any sign of worms,
You waterers will never have algae accumulation again.
I 30 year chicken veteran swears by this treatment.

Hope this helps