Tapeworms

[tequilamarie]

I have 9 chickens that have tapeworms. I have read many posts on here. I have brought the fabendazole and the ZIMECTERIN Gold. From what I read I’ll use the ZIMECTERIN as it treats tapeworms, however, do I withhold feed 24 hours prior or after, does it matter? Is that something that needs to be done at all. Do I give each chicken a small amount and then dose again in 10-14 days?

What does everyone use in the run and coop area. Our girls free range and we will need to apply something to the whole yard. Anything that is safe for honey bees?

Thank you all for any information.

 

[DobieLover]

I would dose them all first thing in the morning and let them into their run but not outside yet. I'd give them water and wait at least 2 hours before feeding them and releasing them.
There is nothing you can treat your yard with that's going to rid it of parasitic eggs. Keeping their environment is dry as possible is your best bet but they will continue to be exposed depending on your climate.

 

[Eggcessive]

In the material I have read, it says that in people, dogs and cats that food helps the active ingredient praziquantel become better utilized to work better. It shouldn’t matter with chickens. So, I would treat them first thing in the morning and then release them into the run to eat and drink. I would not withhold feed after worming with praziquantel, Zimectrin Gold, or Equimax. If you have an intermediate carrier, such as earthworms, beetles, snails, slugs, flies, grasshoppers, etc that eat tapeworms eggs deposited in the poops, the chickens can get them again. Also, a chicken who eats mice and moles, those can give them tapeworms.

 

[dawg53]

It's best to withhold feed for at least two hours after dosing with Z-Gold or Equimax. Keep in mind that poultry are not mammals, they are birds. You want the tapeworms to be at their weakest in order for the wormer to have its maximum effectiveness as tapeworms are difficult to get rid of in chickens. I know, I've dealt with them many times.
After two hours, give your birds a small ration of feed and increase rations during the day back to normal feeding routine. If you dont do this, they will gorge feed possibly causing impacted crop or gizzard.