Recurring Tapeworms

[Figtree]

Hey everybody!

I have been using this forum for about a year now as a first time chicken owner. I have 5 RIRs and 2 Black Stars. So far, I have had success finding answers and solutions to whatever I needed. Well, I have scoured threads regarding tapeworms but I am at an impasse and hoping someone can set me back on track. I have particularly followed Dawg53's advice about worming but I am just not sure what to do next. We first dealt with tapeworm back in December. I had given a round of Safeguard a few weeks before on the advice of a local farmer but then read it won't deal with tapes. So gave Worm Out Gel on Dec 10th and seemed to resolve the problem immediately that is, until a few weeks ago. They are back. Based on my research through the forum, I gave them Valbazen on Thurs. It is now Sunday and there are still quite a bit of tape segments in the poop. I know I am supposed to wait 10 days before I redose but can I give it sooner? I have also read about the zimectrin gold. Should I switch to that? I am not trying to sound impatient, I just want to make sure what I am doing is the most direct approach. The good news is that all the birds seem healthy otherwise and are eating and laying just fine. Any suggestions appreciated! Thank you!

 

[coach723]

Here is an older post in regard to tapeworm. I would use Equimax paste or Zimectrin gold, my understanding is that those two are the most effective for tapeworm. The dosing is in the link, post #6. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tapeworms-that-wont-go-away.1130035/

 

[Boonie Stomper]

Hi! Allow me to share a link that has very thorough easy to read info on worms. Found today while trying to learn about ones my girl may have:
http://parasitipedia.net/index.php?

 

[rebrascora]

Firstly, are you quite sure that you are dealing with tape worms because some people in the past have mistakenly thought that the feather shaft preenings that were stuck to poop on the poop board below where they roost were tapeworm segments. I'm sorry if that sounds simplistic, but it is the first thing to consider if your worming program is supposedly not killing the worms you are targeting.
If you are quite sure you have identified them correctly, then I would wait the allotted time before re-administering the Valbazen, because the time lapse is based on the life cycle of the worm and will be devised to get developing stages of the parasite at that interval.
If you are not certain you have correctly diagnosed them, perhaps you could post a photo of what you are seeing, just to be sure.

 

[Figtree]

Here is a pic. From all that I have read and other pics I have seen, I feel pretty confident but perhaps I have missed something?

 

[Boonie Stomper]

Looks right to me... Is it safe to assume they move a bit as well?

 

[Figtree]

Yup, they do.

 

[Boonie Stomper]

Found this avian vet's post for you:
www.birdhealth.com
"A high percentage of chickens may be infected with tapeworms if they are reared on range or in backyard flocks. These parasites are found more frequently during warmer seasons when intermediate hosts are abundant. Tapeworms may obstruct the intestine of an infected bird in the same way as roundworms. Tapeworms are more ribbon like and clump together in a tangled mass of thin strands whereas roundworms are more spaghetti like in appearance.
Worm treatments containing praziquantel are used to kill tapeworms. Two follow up treatments at 3 week intervals are then recommended. Routine three monthly seasonal treatments together with control measures against flies, beetles, slugs, snails, earthworm ingestion is necessary to prevent further infection.
Tapeworm problems are more widespread when insect activity peaks during the warm spring, summer and autumn months. Insect control is a necessary part of tapeworm treatments if recurrent outbreaks are to be avoided...
...Moxidectin and Praziquantel - GTWormer (5mls/2 litres of drinking water for 2 days) This is a combination tapeworm, general worm and lice treatment...
... Adult chickens
Adult chickens do not require as frequent worm treatments as the young chickens. Instead they should receive strategic treatments at times when worm infection is most likely to occur. Worm treatments are recommended each 3 months at the beginning of spring, summer and autumn when warm wet conditions favour worm infections in adult chickens. Many of the worms that infect adult chickens require an intermediate host before they are able to infect them. A large part of worm prevention involves the control of these creatures that include cockroaches, beetles, houseflies, slugs and snails. Cleaning away any uneaten table treats each evening and applying insecticides to the surfaces of pens are a recommended routine used to help prevent these type of worm problems.
RECOMMENDED ADULT CHICKEN WORM ROUTINE:
Beginning spring - Levamisole or Prazole treatment
Beginning summer - GTWormer
Beginning autumn - Levamisole or Prazole treatment
WITHHOLDING PERIOD
There is a 7-day long withholding period following the administration of worm treatments. For those with back yard chickens I suggest you boil the eggs and feed them back to the chickens during this period of time. The benefit for the chickens following the worm treatment far outweighs the inconvenience of not having perfectly fresh eggs."

 

[rebrascora]

Ok, so we are confident they are tapeworms....The next question would be... Have the chickens been getting the correct dose of the medicine? How have you been administering it? I'm not familiar with the use of those wormers in chickens, but things to consider.... if it is dispensed via their water and you feed them fermented feed, they will not drink enough of the medicated water to be effective. Also it needs to be the only water available... no muddy puddles etc.
Is the Worm Out Gel a one time treatment for tape worms? I haven't heard of that product before. What is the active ingredient?

 

[Figtree]

Well, the worm out gel was administered through water. Only water source, even made sure to give when no rain was coming BUT that was my concern....you have no way to know if each bird got enough. However, it was their only water source for 48+ hours. And it seemed to clear it up for about two months. With the Valbazen, I did 1/2cc on piece of bread. Here is a link to Worm Out Gel.
http://www.allbirdproducts.com/newproductpages/worm_out.html