Recurring Tapeworms

[SonoranChick]

I, too, followed many of @dawg53 threads and advice I worm once a year with Equimax in order to routinely treat my chickens for recurring tapeworm. Equimax is a horse dewormer and can be found at most feed stores or online for about $15. It kills tapeworms because is has praziquantel, but must be dosed carefully. Tapeworms are persistent for me and as much as I hate to give my chickens a chemical dewormer, I have found that nothing else works. I would rather deworm them annually than risk losing them to a tapeworm infestation. Good luck

 

[Figtree]

I, too, followed many of @dawg53 threads and advice I worm once a year with Equimax in order to routinely treat my chickens for recurring tapeworm. Equimax is a horse dewormer and can be found at most feed stores or online for about $15. It kills tapeworms because is has praziquantel, but must be dosed carefully. Tapeworms are persistent for me and as much as I hate to give my chickens a chemical dewormer, I have found that nothing else works. I would rather deworm them annually than risk losing them to a tapeworm infestation. Good luck

Yes agreed! And thank you! Do you do the "pea size" dose with the paste?

 

[SonoranChick]

I do, I have found that it is easiest if I have someone hold the chicken, then I gently open the beak and just squirt the little glob in using a syringe. I do an initial dosing, wait 10 days, then do another dosing to ensure the tapeworm eggs also are killed. I would be happy to help or answer any questions you have on the topic as best I can, as I also found it difficult to get solid advice when it comes to tapeworms and chickens.

 

[coach723]

This is what I do for individual worming, less stressful for all: Lock them in the coop at night, early morning before light go out and crawl in the coop, take a towel and all needed supplies. I use a lantern for just enough light to see what I'm doing. Take each bird off the roost and individually dose, for those that are going to struggle and flap I burrito wrap them in a towel with only their head out, then I put each out of the coop when I'm done with them. When the coop is empty we are finished. While I'm often wearing some amount of droppings and worming med when I'm done, it's the easiest way for me and for them. Mine have gotten pretty used to it so they know what's going on. It gets easier with practice.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

I put a dose-sized bead in the palm of my hand on top of some dried mealworms, I can dose each chicken individually, and the mealworms never, ever fail.

 

[Figtree]

This is what I do for individual worming, less stressful for all: Lock them in the coop at night, early morning before light go out and crawl in the coop, take a towel and all needed supplies. I use a lantern for just enough light to see what I'm doing. Take each bird off the roost and individually dose, for those that are going to struggle and flap I burrito wrap them in a towel with only their head out, then I put each out of the coop when I'm done with them. When the coop is empty we are finished. While I'm often wearing some amount of droppings and worming med when I'm done, it's the easiest way for me and for them. Mine have gotten pretty used to it so they know what's going on. It gets easier with practice.

Wow, I am impressed and sounds like a good way. I think I read somewhere else to do it at night, like around 10 when they are sleeping. My coop wouldn't make this super easy but might be something I would be willing to try. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Figtree]

I put a dose-sized bead in the palm of my hand on top of some dried mealworms, I can dose each chicken individually, and the mealworms never, ever fail.

Now I can definitely see this as a viable option. My girls LOVE dried mealworms!! Will keep you posted!

 

[Figtree]

I do, I have found that it is easiest if I have someone hold the chicken, then I gently open the beak and just squirt the little glob in using a syringe. I do an initial dosing, wait 10 days, then do another dosing to ensure the tapeworm eggs also are killed. I would be happy to help or answer any questions you have on the topic as best I can, as I also found it difficult to get solid advice when it comes to tapeworms and chickens.

Thanks, yes, it has been difficult to get advice but I think you all have given me great support and ideas to get this under control.

 

[casportpony]

The pea size dose of Equimax is too much, it should be about half that. Dose for a 5 pound chicken is 0.16 ml

Zimectrin Gold has about 1/2 as much praziquantel, so the ZGold dose is 0.3 ml, which is about the size of a pea.

 

[Figtree]

The pea size dose of Equimax is too much, it should be about half that. Dose for a 5 pound chicken is 0.16 ml

Zimectrin Gold has about 1/2 as much praziquantel, so the ZGold dose is 0.3 ml, which is about the size of a pea.

Thanks! Not sure which one I will find locally but will dose accordingly.