resistant roundworms

[courtneyq]

Okay, now something else! I was outside cleaning out the yard, spreading DE all around, and I noticed the RIR had a runny dropping, and I took a look, and there was a small white flat live thing. It was flat but sort of circular, but expanded to be rectangular. Based on experience with rescued kittens, I think it was a tapeworm segment. Does that sound likely? Or could it be something else? At any rate, how do I treat it? I know the medicine for roundworm won't get tapeworm. Arrrgh!

 

[sammi]

the only thing I know that treats tapeworm is Droncit.


I'd give her some electrolytes ...

and don't forget to separate the oyster shell..

 

[sammi]

the only thing I know that treats tapeworm is Droncit.

tho some people say that fenbendisole or levamisole works..
these are good broad spectrum wormers, but I'm not sure they treat tapeworm..


I'd give her some electrolytes ...

and don't forget to separate the oyster shell..

 

[Pine Grove]

Valbazen...problem solved

 

[courtneyq]

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions! I've ordered Valbazen and will administer as soon as it arrives. (Our local feed store doesn't carry it.) I'm also trying to clean up their droppings as best I can, though by now the soil itself is surely heavy with eggs. I spread out DE too, just in case it helps, and there's plenty in their dustbath, which they also peck and eat out of. I am going to build a proper chicken tractor to house them in, put them on ground that hasn't been contaminated, keep moving them, so this isn't as likely to happen again.

As for the Valbazen dosage for hens, I found these suggestions on other threads: "Mix 8cc of water to 1cc of valbazen, shake and give 2cc to each chicken" and "1 cc = 1 mL." Does this sound right? Is that the dosage you use?

I bought some raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds online, and last night I chopped them (hard work!) and the chickens seemed interested at first but didn't eat any. I even peeled some and gave them the meat, but no interest. I'll try mixing it in with their food. Should I roast them?

What is the reason to give the oyster shells separately? I tried that at first because I thought maybe the BR was eggbound since she stopped laying and I wanted to get her calcium asap, but they showed no interest. The package said it could be mixed with the food, so I tried that. I have no idea if they actually eat it or just knock it into the soil, but I figure there's a better chance it will be consumed if it's mixed. Is that introducing another problem?

Thanks everyone!

 

[courtneyq]

Thanks, everyone, for your good advice. My hens seem to be much better--they have more color in their combs and have normal droppings and are more active and are laying more regularly. I tried buttermilk, pumpkin seeds, diligent sanitation (I cleaned poops twice a day), ACV, DE, yogurt, etc. I think the best solution was the Valbazen. Upon advice, I administered 1/4 CC per bird, and though they seemed better after one dose, I followed with a second to make sure I got all life cycles. Thanks again! I love this forum and the other chicken lovers on it!

 

[Jenski]

courtneyq, glad the worm problem is getting better. You may also want to ensure you are rotating wormers so the worms do not develop resistance.

For what it's worth after the fact, my own calculated dosage for 11.36% Valbazen (Albendazole) is at Gail Damerow's 4.5 mg per pound of body weight. For a five pound hen, that is .2 ml (actually 0.19806 ml). It is such as small dose that I have used a dropper to place it onto bread cubes to administer. The scientific literature I have read on the Albendazole indicates relatively few side effects, even at the obnoxious levels administered in a study, so I had few worries about overdosing a bit. Your dose sounds good too.

Also, do your girls get grit as well as oyster shells? The grit will help them more efficiently digest their food.

Probiotics are also good after an exhausting round of anything. McMurray's Immuno Charge is very good, and contains a very wide variety of beneficial bacteria, plus lots of other good stuff.

Good luck!