Regular Chicken Maintenance???

[sunkissed]

Hello everyone. I am having a really hard time trying to find a regular chicken maintenance schedule of sorts. I thought you just left them alone, unless they were sick. However, the "chicken lady" that I received them from, emails me suggesting that I pick up medications from her and administer them. For example, she has extra Ivermectin that she would share. It is really sweet of her to be so considerate, but I don't know if it is necessary or not. I would prefer to keep my chickens as chemical free as possible.

I am so confused. Am I supposed to be giving my chickens de-wormer and or other meds regularly? I want them to be happy and healthy.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[MVchickens]

Have never given mine anything.

 

[HEChicken]

Well, its to each their own, I think. Personally I don't medicate any of mine until I know they need it. Since mine aren't showing any signs of external parasites (scratching, feather picking, avoiding the coop/roosts etc.), I haven't worried about dusting for them. And although I don't visually inspect everything that comes out of them, I do keep a fairly close eye on excrement and have seen no visual signs of whole worms. Eggs I wouldn't see except under a microscope anyway but as long as they appear healthy, lay well, eat well but not to excess etc., I don't worry about worming either. Ultimately it is your decision but I'd say, "go with your gut".

 

[kidcody]

worming is very important!! Its simple to do.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
X2 Three generations of never giving chemicals to our happy and healthy flocks. If your breeder has, though, she might have been breeding genetics that require that level of care to continue to live and thrive. I'd just watch your flock carefully and give excellent preventative care...should be just fine. If you seem to have a lot of illness and poor performance I'd think twice about getting birds from her again.

 

[Billyj]

I don't do anything special for mine either unless needed. I have had to get rid of some mites every now and then, but other than that, nothing. Well I say that but I do give mine ACV at the beginning of each month for a few days. It is just to clean them out good, but that's it.

 

[daver]

Just a little ACV as the previous poster said.

 

[Ridgerunner]

It is personal choice. I'm in the group that does not medicate unless I have some specific reason to medicate. Then I don't hesitate. But some people do have a regular schedule, especially for worming. Sometimes their experience with their flock suggests that is a good idea.

If you do worm, a couple of thoughts. Read the label on the bottle. With many wormers, there is a period you should not eat the eggs. I have not used Ivermectin and don't know what the withdrawal period for the eggs is.

Also, if you worm while they are molting, some worming medicines can cause the feathers to grow back funky. I'm too lazy to look up which one that is this morning and I'm sure not going to rely on my memory on only two cups of coffee. It won't physically hurt them, but it is something to be aware of.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
Worming is important IF you have an infestation of sufficient density to cause harm to the birds. Worming routinely when there is no evidence of infestation is unnecessary & possibly harmful. Wormers are poison. That's how they kill worms. Why give your birds poison when it's not necessary.
I think my views on medicatimg poultry are pretty well known by now but let me add, I medicate for nothing other than Coccidiosis. I prefer to breed for disease resistance.

 

[featherz]

I try to stay as natural as possible, although I do have a drawer with the standard chicken meds and use IF necessary.

I don't routinely worm or give other meds, with the exception of electrolytes in the water on extra hot days and lately I've been trying a bit of grapefruit seed extract in the water as well. Vaseline works well for leg mites.

My 'chicken drawer' has tylan and other items available and we use on a case by case basis (such as when I had a roo with a bad eye peck injury). It's nice to not have to scramble when you really need something!