Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[HiEverybirdy]

Never seen any worms in their feces.

That's good because but important to note this isn't how worms typically show themselves.

Our birds have tested positive for roundworms countless times (via fecal analysis at the vet) without us ever seeing a worm, even after treatment.

Symptoms that alerted us were lethargy, green/yellow diarrhea, penguin posture, and refusing food.

Table 1 in the herbal anthelmintic article Perris linked to shows some of the many ways parasite overload can appear in hosts.

 

[BDutch]

That's good because but important to note this isn't how worms typically show themselves.

Our birds have tested positive for roundworms countless times (via fecal analysis at the vet) without us ever seeing a worm, even after treatment.

Symptoms that alerted us were lethargy, green/yellow diarrhea, penguin posture, and refusing food.

Table 1 in the herbal anthelmintic article Perris linked to shows some of the many ways parasite overload can appear in hosts.

Thanks for sharing but often I don’t read more than the intro of such articles because they are difficult to read. (I’m native Dutch and reading on what we call B-level is no problem, C-level is doable, D-level is too hard ).

I have been reading about this in Dutch articles and I know from Dutch research (Wageningen University / Louis Bolk institute) with organic chickens when it’s important to do a feces check in a lab.

They also say you should not give medicines against worms if the chickens are fit. Because the medicines are not healthy and the worm infestation always comes back after treating anyway.
So I believe my chickens are too fit to have a serious worm infection.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

that's the case with white clover, fig, celandines, and coriander (which are all also identified in that paper as natural anthelmintics) which all grow here, and would explain why I don't have to worm the flock.

To worm, or not to worm...when we fell down the roundworm rabbit hole years ago, I spoke with keepers around here who said they don't worm, but it was because they didn't think to. Their birds were also being picked off young by predators or dying from mystery ailments (likely from sickness brought on by parasites, IMHO).

Online, I've been able to hear from those I'd consider better role models (e.g., Perris) and people who test for worms (shout out to L-plate) who find their birds aren't in need of conventional worming. Jeff Mattocks, like him or lump him, discusses ways optimal nutrition/forage might keep parasite loads in check. I *think* the topic comes up in one of these podcasts:
https://www.owltail.com/people/7AfIK-jeff-mattocks/appearances.

I also read posts by respected, old-school BYC members who worm prophylactically due to relentless roundworms. And still others who argue passionately against prophylactic worming for the reasons B-Dutch mentions and concerns about wormer resistance.

I don't remember many sources being cited in any case. I do remember being frustrated by all the opposite opinions! However, that makes more sense when you begin to realize the vast range of chicken-keeping conditions and goals that exist around the world.

Based on what I read back then + our keeping style + results at the vet, I formed an IPM plan (integrated pest management, popular term in beekeeping around Varroa mites).

• Expand their range for access to a bigger variety of forage
• Scoop poops in high-traffic areas several times daily to reduce worm eggs in the soil
• Quarterly worming at least 1-2 years

In year 2 of this, we've had our lowest-ever rates of slow crop, diarrhea, laying problems, lethargy, etc. So I'm a fan of wormer, but of course an even bigger fan of ranging, since the exercise and forage promote robust health any way you slice it.

Important to note that the worst worm problems have always been in our first chickens, who were hatchery hatched and spent limited time on dirt as chicks. As a beginner, I was scared of exposing them to coccidiosis and unseasonable cold that year. Subsequent groups of chicks were on dirt much earlier here.

It's likely chicks hatched & raised by actual chickens on dirt develop a much stronger natural defense to the dangers lurking in that dirt. In that case, natural wormers would simply augment their already better-equipped immune systems. So those of you with broodies raising your babies may be apples to my incubated oranges.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

Tax for wormer talk. For those of you with a negative Andre association, here's your new hero, Merle. He exists to antagonize brother Andre. Crowing is one sure way to trigger Andre to come fence fight, caught here in slow motion.

Merle will do this over and over: wait until Andre's halfway up the hill, then crow again to get Andre barreling down the hill. Good way to keep Andre svelte and Merle entertained.

 

[no fly zone]

Tax for wormer talk. For those of you with a negative Andre association, here's your new hero, Merle. He exists to antagonize brother Andre. Crowing is one sure way to trigger Andre to come fence fight, caught here in slow motion.

Merle will do this over and over: wait until Andre's halfway up the hill, then crow again to get Andre barreling down the hill. Good way to keep Andre svelte and Merle entertained.

They are a handsome pair.

 

[Molpet]

a woman sells an herbal wormer with black walnut
https://www.facebook.com/moonlightmileherbs/
http://www.moonlightmileherbs.com/herbaltonics.html

 

[MaryJanet]

Our birds have tested positive for roundworms countless times (via fecal analysis at the vet)

I take a chook to the vet at the first sign something's amiss and I ask for a fecal test while we're there, unless the chicken just had one. The tests are always negative for internal parasites. The vet is at the point of declining to conduct further parasite tests out of professional ethics. He thinks the soil, which is very dry beach sand, is a poor environment for parasites.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

I take a chook to the vet at the first sign something's amiss and I ask for a fecal test while we're there, unless the chicken just had one. The tests are always negative for internal parasites. The vet is at the point of declining to conduct further parasite tests out of professional ethics. He thinks the soil, which is very dry beach sand, is a poor environment for parasites.

I wish we had that. At least I think I do? Grass is always greener. If you can think of an opposite of dry beach sand – mossy, damp, heavy – that's what we have. It could be boxed and sold as "roundworm growing media"

If I recall, you have that marvelous vet. Always interesting to hear his perspective.

 

[MaryJanet]

I wish we had that. At least I think I do? Grass is always greener. If you can think of an opposite of dry beach sand – mossy, damp, heavy – that's what we have. It could be boxed and sold as "roundworm growing media"

If I recall, you have that marvelous vet. Always interesting to hear his perspective.

He's very reliable. In addition to additional training in exotic species veterinary science, he's a great surgeon, and he keeps chickens and other animals, so he can relate on that level.

 

[MrsNorthie]

The liquid contains oregano, enchinacea and giseng.

This could be why I don't have any issues with the mites. I regularly make fresh/dried oregano available to our chickens, and they love it!