Suggestions for treating pen to decrease incidence of tapeworms and chicken preventative/maintenance

[Fraunie]

This is the second time in 3 years I've had a bad outbreak of tapes, while none of my neighbor chicken owners seem to have any issues. I know that the segments contain eggs that can infect the soil, so I am wondering if there are things I can do to the soil, coop to lessen the likelihood of them getting reinfected. I hate these things with a passion.

What are things I can do regularly as maintenance to keep them worm free? I know people swear by and then refute using DE, what about herbals or ACV in the water, just for maintenance/preventative? I'm not sure I am ever getting rid of them, just knocking them down. I live in soCal, so it is arid, not humid or wet and I wouldn't think too hospitable for worms to thrive. However, we do have fly and flea issues, and I've read that fleas can carry tapeworms also.

What is your experience?

Thanks,

 

[dawg53]

This is the second time in 3 years I've had a bad outbreak of tapes, while none of my neighbor chicken owners seem to have any issues. I know that the segments contain eggs that can infect the soil, so I am wondering if there are things I can do to the soil, coop to lessen the likelihood of them getting reinfected. I hate these things with a passion.

What are things I can do regularly as maintenance to keep them worm free? I know people swear by and then refute using DE, what about herbals or ACV in the water, just for maintenance/preventative? I'm not sure I am ever getting rid of them, just knocking them down. I live in soCal, so it is arid, not humid or wet and I wouldn't think too hospitable for worms to thrive. However, we do have fly and flea issues, and I've read that fleas can carry tapeworms also.

What is your experience?

Thanks,

DE, ACV, herbals, and all that nonsense wont deter nor stop birds from getting tapeworms. I suggest you google "tapeworm lifecycle."
Insects are the host for infective tapeworm eggs. Chickens eat insects, that's what they do and there's always the chance they'll eat an infected insect. Deterring free ranging birds from eating insects is impossible, but keep grass cut short. If they are penned all the time, put about 5 to 6 inches of sand in your pen/run. Sand deters insects and parasites, and dries quickly after it rains. Scoop poop as frequently as possible during the day, including removing poop containing segments. Ensure litter is removed from inside the coop and disposed frequently and replaced with fresh litter, including nests. Keeping everything as dry as possible is key in deterring insects.
The above are suggestions for prevention. I've dealt with tapeworms and they are very difficult to get rid of as you know. What makes them difficult to get rid of is their indirect lifecycle that requires a host, not like the roundworms direct lifecycle where chickens pick up eggs by pecking the dirt. Example: You can lock your chickens inside the hen house for days and it's entirely possible one of them will eat an infected ant that crawled through a vent, the bird will get infected....and their feet havnt even touched the dirt!
Give your infected chickens a "pea" sized amount of Zimectrin Gold equine paste orally, then repeat again in 10 days. Make sure you withhold their feed 24 hours prior to dosing, water is okay. Then wait 4 hours after dosing before feeding your birds. Feed them a little at a time gradually increasing feed during the day. If you dont, they will gorge themselves all at once and can become crop or gizzard impacted.

 

[centrarchid]

I move by birds about frequently assuming encounters with worms still frequent. Modest worm infections are tolerated but if a bird is seriously affected, then it is culled.

 

[dawg53]

I move by birds about frequently assuming encounters with worms still frequent. Modest worm infections are tolerated but if a bird is seriously affected, then it is culled.

You obviously havnt dealt with tapeworms. But I agree moving birds around will help prevent nematode infections.

 

[centrarchid]

You obviously havnt dealt with tapeworms. But I agree moving birds around will help prevent nematode infections.

I have experience with tapeworms. Remember my credentials for assessing parasite taxon and burden..

 

[seminolewind]

Dawg, I heard once of using a salt water flush to kill the worms in the ground. Thoughts?

 

[dawg53]

Salt water wont affect eggs, they are encased in a tough 'shell.' That's why they are able to survive years in soil through harsh conditions.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Blowing out your rear again, those are your credentials.

 

[Cajunfarm]

Dawg 53 is correct tapeworm cannot be avoided and normal "worming" does not affect tapeworms. The treatment is correct and constantly moving the chickens will not change any infections. Unfortunately there is nothing that will kill a tape inside the animal the medication only "paralyzes" the tape and causes it to release its grip on the intestines. The most potent stuff you can use is praziquantrel it comes in a toothpaste like tube and you use the same dosing pea sized like dawg pointed out. Drontal will also rid the chicken of tapes it also has praziquantrel. Sound advice just thought I would affirm and give some additional medications! Good luck friend

 

[Michael Apple]

I move by birds about frequently assuming encounters with worms still frequent. Modest worm infections are tolerated but if a bird is seriously affected, then it is culled.

A bird seriously affected is generally due to negligence/ignorance of the flock owner. I would find a comparable rule acceptable to humans though. Moderate annoyances get a pass, but extreme annoyances get culled.