Stop Worming as a preventative!!

[townchicks]

I would just like to make a point about "negative" fecal results. Fecal samples are checked for worm eggs, not adult worms. Intestinal worms shed their eggs in cycles, usually about 10 to 14 days. It IS possible for an animal to have worms, and have no eggs appear in a fecal sample, if the worms are in a non shedding cycle.That is why lab reports usually say "no parasites found" rather than negative. Ideally, you should run 2 tests, about 2 weeks apart.
Case in point, back when I was working for a vet, I picked up a stray cat, (which I ended up keeping) and I checked her stool the day after I picked her up, and found nothing at all on the slide. I checked another sample in 2 weeks, and the slide was wall to wall roundworm eggs. In 15 years working at that vet hospital, I never saw an animal more loaded with roundworms.
This is why it is recommended to worm twice, 2 weeks apart. Wormers kill adult worms only, and there may be eggs in the intestines that will hatch. If you worm again in 2 weeks, then you get the newly hatched worms, before they also lay eggs.

 

[Amer]

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.

X2 I do it 2-3 times a year though.

 

[Amer]

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.

You sound excited to find worms in poop.
Is that why you do it for free?

 

[Sue Gremlin]

You sound excited to find worms in poop.
Is that why you do it for free?

I do it because it's good experience since I am a student. The more time I spend at the microscope, the more I learn.

 

[Amer]

I do it because it's good experience since I am a student. The more time I spend at the microscope, the more I learn.

Oh, cool!

 

[Sue Gremlin]

But...well, I confess, I do get excited to find worms in poop.

 

[Below frigid]

I was going to worm my flock of 17 hens/pullets, and 3 Roos/ Cockerels. I already purchased the Valbazen. I had one Hen that her comb and wattles went pale pink, and was keeping to herself more than usual. Thinking she was anemic I thought worms. After checking more closely I discovered she is molting as are 3 or 4 others. She is the only one who's comb that has turned pale. Decided to take a fecal sample ( mail in test kit ) from her and the Hen I have had the longest. They live in different house's but the whole flock free ranges most of the day. I would rather not get into a routine of worming them especially if they don't need it. Dry climate here even most winters have minimal precip. Dry arid hot summers and dry cool winters with just a few nights in the high teens. Oldest bird is two so if her test comes back negative I am going to figure the flock is good. They get ACV and probiotics with vitamins and electrolytes in their water 24-7.

 

[Amer]

I was going to worm my flock of 17 hens/pullets, and 3 Roos/ Cockerels. I already purchased the Valbazen. I had one Hen that her comb and wattles went pale pink, and was keeping to herself more than usual. Thinking she was anemic I thought worms. After checking more closely I discovered she is molting as are 3 or 4 others. She is the only one who's comb that has turned pale. Decided to take a fecal sample ( mail in test kit ) from her and the Hen I have had the longest. They live in different house's but the whole flock free ranges most of the day. I would rather not get into a routine of worming them especially if they don't need it. Dry climate here even most winters have minimal precip. Dry arid hot summers and dry cool winters with just a few nights in the high teens. Oldest bird is two so if her test comes back negative I am going to figure the flock is good. They get ACV and probiotics with vitamins and electrolytes in their water 24-7.

Makes sense where you live. Here there is a bunch of rain and snow.

 

[Kiki]

I was going to worm my flock of 17 hens/pullets, and 3 Roos/ Cockerels. I already purchased the Valbazen. I had one Hen that her comb and wattles went pale pink, and was keeping to herself more than usual. Thinking she was anemic I thought worms. After checking more closely I discovered she is molting as are 3 or 4 others. She is the only one who's comb that has turned pale. Decided to take a fecal sample ( mail in test kit ) from her and the Hen I have had the longest. They live in different house's but the whole flock free ranges most of the day. I would rather not get into a routine of worming them especially if they don't need it. Dry climate here even most winters have minimal precip. Dry arid hot summers and dry cool winters with just a few nights in the high teens. Oldest bird is two so if her test comes back negative I am going to figure the flock is good. They get ACV and probiotics with vitamins and electrolytes in their water 24-7.

Electrolytes are not meant to be given 24-7.

 

[casportpony]

But...well, I confess, I do get excited to find worms in poop.

So do I! Then when I worm them I look forward to seeing the dead ones excreted!