Should I be worried?!

[Rockismith21]

My husband gave our 7 day old ISA browns and Barred rock babies a few earthworms on 2 separate days. So after reading about this I am nervous about this causing other worms. With them being so young (and I’m new to this) what do you guys recommend?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My husband gave our 7 day old ISA browns and Barred rock babies a few earthworms on 2 separate days. So after reading about this I am nervous about this causing other worms. With them being so young (and I’m new to this) what do you guys recommend?

Hi, welcome to BYC!

So as long as they have some grit available... I can share my experience...

I have been raising chickens for about 9 years now and never wormed the first 8 because I didn't know you MIGHT need to. My birds have always free ranged and eat every bug they want including earth worms/red wigglers. Really age has nothing to do with it. Many of my chicks are on pasture by 3 days old, especially if they are with their mum's.

I have 1 gal who has always had mud butt. Then I saw one of my dogs come in and scoot their bum. Both signs many people will SWEAR is worms. Since I don't believe in treating what I don't have and not treating what I do... and not all wormers treat all worms, and the ONLY worms that will be seen in droppings are large round worms and tape worms while all others stay living in the digestive tract and just their microscopic eggs (oosysts) will pass and never be seen...I prefer to do a float test first. So off to the vet with with a "flock" sample and "pack" sample in hand... many samples combined into one for the same species makes a more affordable way of testing and is an accepted method to get an overall look... cost $25/ float at my vet. Even though I pay for a float, I don't pay for a poison that won't treat what I don't have and expose my birds to it needlessly, and I don't lose out on eggs being withheld for no reason. Not to mention my time and effort.

Long story short... both samples came back negative for worms and cocci. Turns out sometimes dogs have their bum itch or their anal gland annoy them and scooting is a way they deal with it. Also SOMETIMES a bird just has digestion issues.

So in 9 years of my birds consuming earth worms... I don't have the others. That isn't to say you won't... not all environments are the same, even if you have good pasture maintenance and biosecurity practices... it COULD happen. I suggest having float done at least once per year. Twice is nice. And get familiar with your actual load and if you see any seasonal difference. And I would treat ONLY as needed.

My suggestion... try not to worry so much, but awesome to know the possibilities and be aware of any changes in your birds.

 

[Rockismith21]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

So as long as they have some grit available... I can share my experience...

I have been raising chickens for about 9 years now and never wormed the first 8 because I didn't know you MIGHT need to. My birds have always free ranged and eat every bug they want including earth worms/red wigglers. Really age has nothing to do with it. Many of my chicks are on pasture by 3 days old, especially if they are with their mum's.

I have 1 gal who has always had mud butt. Then I saw one of my dogs come in and scoot their bum. Both signs many people will SWEAR is worms. Since I don't believe in treating what I don't have and not treating what I do... and not all wormers treat all worms, and the ONLY worms that will be seen in droppings are large round worms and tape worms while all others stay living in the digestive tract and just their microscopic eggs (oosysts) will pass and never be seen...I prefer to do a float test first. So off to the vet with with a "flock" sample and "pack" sample in hand... many samples combined into one for the same species makes a more affordable way of testing and is an accepted method to get an overall look... cost $25/ float at my vet. Even though I pay for a float, I don't pay for a poison that won't treat what I don't have and expose my birds to it needlessly, and I don't lose out on eggs being withheld for no reason. Not to mention my time and effort.

Long story short... both samples came back negative for worms and cocci. Turns out sometimes dogs have their bum itch or their anal gland annoy them and scooting is a way they deal with it. Also SOMETIMES a bird just has digestion issues.

So in 9 years of my birds consuming earth worms... I don't have the others. That isn't to say you won't... not all environments are the same, even if you have good pasture maintenance and biosecurity practices... it COULD happen. I suggest having float done at least once per year. Twice is nice. And get familiar with your actual load and if you see any seasonal difference. And I would treat ONLY as needed.

My suggestion... try not to worry so much, but awesome to know the possibilities and be aware of any changes in your birds.

Thank you so much for your help

 

[Hyroler]

i did up worms and give them to my chickens everyday.Nothing wrong with it.excellent protein

 

[EggSighted4Life]

i did up worms and give them to my chickens everyday.Nothing wrong with it.excellent protein

True statements.

But it is a fact that chickens can get infected with other intestinal species from the consumption of earth worms that have the eggs laid ON them. Still good for the OP to be aware of the possibility but not have to "worry".

 

[Cayuga momma]

I was told Apple Cidar Vinegar is good to give them if your worried about worms. The hatchery I got mine from told me to start giving it to them right away (3 days old). 1 tblsp to 1 gallon of water.

 

[Hyroler]

True statements.

But it is a fact that chickens can get infected with other intestinal species from the consumption of earth worms that have the eggs laid ON them. Still good for the OP to be aware of the possibility but not have to "worry".

I don't believe that.I have been eating worms for decades,I use them to fish,my chickens eat them.Ive never had problem ,chickens never had problem.Most of my friends like there nightcrawlers tempura dipped and fried .I prefer to eat mined right out of container live. I just shake the dirt off and slurp them up.Getting hungry just talking about it.
You can get tapeworm,ringworm and roundworm from consumation but not earthworms.nightcrawlers,redworms,meal worms and pile worms are perfectly safe to eat.I suggest you try some today

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I was told Apple Cidar Vinegar is good to give them if your worried about worms. The hatchery I got mine from told me to start giving it to them right away (3 days old). 1 tblsp to 1 gallon of water.

Cough, BS!

That will give you some probiotics, and THAT'S IT.

If you feel like you are preventing intestinal worm... you are mistaken and have a FALSE sense of security.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don't believe that.I have been eating worms for decades,I use them to fish,my chickens eat them.Ive never had problem ,chickens never had problem.

Well, really things aren't a problem... until they are. Not all animals (or humans) have the same immunity or strengths and weaknesses. Not all environments are the same. What isn't a problem for one person, might be for another. In California chicken flock 90% of parasites were harbored by 10% of the stock... even among the same flock.

You don't have to believe me... and really it gave me an opportunity to look farther into my claim and confirm that wasn't spreading misinformation.

Alas, I stand by my original claim that chickens can become infected with other parasites by the consumption of a different species including earth worms... a host species. BUT... it seems as though the eggs may have been INGESTED by the host species and not "laid on them"...
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm015

Re: my last statement about ACV & worms... a simple fecal float before and after could confirm this theory of how that or ANY method effects your count. People who use "home remedies" aren't often interested in the science though or maybe unwilling or unable to spend the $.

 

[Cayuga momma]

Cough, BS!

That will give you some probiotics, and THAT'S IT.

If you feel like you are preventing intestinal worm... you are mistaken and have a FALSE sense of security.

Wow was that really necessary. I appreciate the correction, but I really don't appreciate the rest. Now I know.