Slugs, worms, wood lice, snails etc etc

[GardenDave]

I personally don't vaccinate or worm my flock. I never have done, they were never done as chicks before I got them, and the mother and father never got done either and all are fine at the moment. My flock get quite a varied diet so although the worms are there for them should they want them they are usually quite happy with the abundance of other stuff. I throw the stuff the rabbits left overs out for the chickens every morning, any leafy things from the veg, there is a huge elderflower tree over one corner of the garden which when other birds knock berries off the chickens love. Also there are lots of wood lice etc which they enjoy, and now slugs and snails.

I did TRY drowning them first but would you believe it - the slimy little ba#@~rds can swim???? OK I didn't actually see it swim but I put it in the bucket of water and 10 minutes later it was climbing back out lol.

How long is it best to leave them in there? I just have a bucket of water I keep putting them into. Should I empty it daily? Am I going to end up with a big sticky mess down the bottom?

 

[SophiaMoon]

I would be afraid of the parasite developing an immunity to it. Like infections have to antibiotics. Plus some chemicals build up in the flesh, fat or internal organs.
It has happened in other animals and with other chemicals. It's just something to think about.
If I was going to prevention de-worm my flock I would try a natural one. Like pumpkin seeds in the shell, old home remedy for worms and one the chickens would like. That's just me, but then again I let my chickens free range and eat whatever they find, risk of worms and all.
I will add that I had a pet rabbit that I also let range outside and had to dose him for tapeworm every couple of years. I took him to the vet and would not have wanted to try to do it on my own. He suffered no long term problems from having the worms because if you watch your animals you know when they are sick. Thats being a good caregiver and what we should all strive for, no matter how we do it.

 

[GardenDave]

I was told once that a great prevention is adding a little garlic to their water every once in a while. No idea if that works. My chickens don't really like the rabbit...and the rabbit knows and uses it to his amusement lol

 

[piphens7]

Well this is all very new to me anyway, but everyone has a different idea so this forum is great. I put apple cider vinegar in the water and they free range & get quite a varied diet. We have cats & dogs who we worm so I guess I just thought the hens need it as well. I used respite in the water a bit ago which is made up mainly of garlic. As a family we eat loads of garlic we love it , but it's so good for us too. People on this site say to put garlic in the water? As for slugs they are a carrier of a parasite which can give dogs lung worm, so I'm not a big fan! I had to read the text again as I thought you had tryed to drown your hens!! Lol .