New Chicken Owner...Need Help!

[Chickaroo!]

I'm a fairly new owner of 4 pet chickens. One has worms. I took her to the vet and she got a shot of wormer. I've since purchased DE, but she still has worms! Today one of my other chickens actually ate one off the ground!!! Is this going to make her sick too? How long before the DE begins working?

 

[chickbea]

Do you know what kind of worms they are? Can you post a picture?

I wouldn't rely on DE to get rid of an active case of worms. The first thing I would do is bring another fecal sample to your vet to determine if these are the same type of worms.

Depending on the type of worm, you may have to treat more than once to break the life cycle. Large roundworms, for instance, can be killed by worming, but the adult worms have already shed eggs out through your chicken's poo, and those can be reingested by your chickens. Treating again a couple of weeks later breaks this cycle.

Good luck! It's an icky aspect to chicken keeping, but hopefully it will be over soon!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm not sure that DE will cure worms. I know that it will help prevent them. Someone with more knowledge of DE can answer that. If the vet gave her a wormer shot I would be wondering about that. Did the others get shots too? If one has worms chances are they all do. When did she get her shot? When did you start with DE? What breeds (not sure it makes a difference though)? Put as much info as possible so those with more knowlege of worms can help. Good Luck!

 

[rooster-red]

DE will work to kill many types of parasites (though not all) you may be seeing dying adults being expelled.

As chickbea suggested, take a fecal sample to your vet to determine exacly what type of worms they are, then it can be treated for that particular type instead of guessing.


And welcome to BYC!

 

[Chickaroo!]

She is a Dominique and the vet gave her the worm shot about 2wks. ago. I don't remember what type of worms they were, but they look like angle hair pasta(sorry to anyone eating spaghetti). The vet told me to get Fendendazole(it think thats how its spelled). I looked for it and all I can find is the type for dogs. I called the vet to ask what I should do, but she's never called me back! I found some Wazine, but I read on the bottle that you cannot eat their eggs with that. Does anyone know more info. on the Wazine?

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I would stop into the vets office and talk to them in person. Did you check to see if they have the Fendendazole?

 

[chickbea]

I would talk to the vet in person also. Be clear with them that your chickens are pets and that you eat their eggs.

Keeping chickens as pets and caring about their individual health needs is a bit of a new idea to many vets, so you may need to be persistent that you expect care for them as you would for any other animal. If you still get no response, I'd try someone else!

Good luck!

From your description, I believe your girls have round worms.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I just wanted to add, that when you are treating for worms, you should treat the entire flock, not just the one you noticed worms in.

 

[Chickaroo!]

Thanks everyone for your input! It's so nice have a forum to ask others about my chickens. It's so appreciated.