Stop Worming as a preventative!!

[RoosterML]

I understand where you are coming from and for a small flock this sounds like a great option! If you have a link for the $15 test Im sure people will utilize it.

As much as I'd like not to put chemicals in my birds, its easier and cheaper to treat worms once in the spring and summer preventatively and corid 4 times a year. During those times I can hatch the eggs out instead of eating them so my eggs aren't at a loss.

I didn't even think about hatching them out. Good idea. Isn't like 4-6 weeks on some wormers that the eggs need to be discarded?

 

[Bamabexchicks]

All state labs are linked here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/necropsy-and-disease-testing-lab-info.1236884/
I can't thank you enough for this invaluable link! You are officially awesome!

Fecal floats are usually cheaper through your state lab if you are in the US.

 

[ChickenLeg]

I didn't even think about hatching them out. Good idea. Isn't like 4-6 weeks on some wormers that the eggs need to be discarded?

I think different people have different opinions, but I always just hatch them out for 3-4 weeks to be safe with dewormer. I treat corid before the dewormer, but I dont think you have to wait anytime with corid, but you could skip a few days after treatment if you wanted to be extra cautious.

 

[casportpony]

I didn't even think about hatching them out. Good idea. Isn't like 4-6 weeks on some wormers that the eggs need to be discarded?

It depends on the wormer, the country you live in, and the amount of medication used.

In the US, there is a zero day egg withdrawal using fenbendazole if you give minuscule amounts (1 mg/kg fiv days in a row.

In the UK, zero day for flubendazole and fenbendazole when used properly.

In Canada, zero day for piperazine.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

My two cents about my worm philosophy: I don't believe most worms are a huge issue for most healthy adult chickens. People like to keep their pets completely worm-free, including chickens, and I don't think this is practical or particularly useful. Like horses, chickens always seem to have worms and most of them can handle some without an issue. They're to be managed rather than eliminated. Young, old, debilitated or new chickens are kind of a different story, and should be treated if appropriate.
I keep my coop clean and dry, chickens well-fed, and I monitor them. I am a veterinary parasitology student and do not deworm my chickens routinely. I test them regularly, so I am always pretty well aware of what's going on with them.

Also, send me chicken poop and I'll test them for free. PM me with questions.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/parasite-testing.1248141/

 

[Kiki]

@Bamabexchicks

 

[casportpony]

@Sue Gremlin, should poop samples include both cecal poop and regular poop?

 

[Sue Gremlin]

@Sue Gremlin, should poop samples include both cecal poop and regular poop?

Absolutely.

 

[casportpony]

Absolutely.

I have a pen full of peafowl that I haven't dewormed in years and I'm thinking about taking you up on your offer!

 

[Sue Gremlin]

I have a pen full of peafowl that I haven't dewormed in years and I'm thinking about taking you up on your offer!

Ooh!!! That would be so interesting for me, I've never seen peafowl parasite eggs. I'd be delighted to have a look, PM me if you'd like to.