Texas

[Brookshire11]

L
Lisa of the Fresh Eggs Daily blog uses ACV in water, fresh minced garlic and food grade DE in feed. I read another blog post of a lady who mixes 2% DE on one day's feed once every 2 months and never has worms. Both did not give up the eggs during/after. I'm going that route with mine.

I've heard pumpkin seeds work pretty well too.

 

[magpiesing]

I've heard pumpkin seeds work pretty well too.

I too have read that before...but have read in the forum it does not work. Lisa, in her book states that veggies like pumpkin, winter, crookneck, zucchini and other sqash as well as cantaloupe and water melon SEEDS are coated with cucurbitacin, which paralyzes worms. From what I read it seems she is indicating a preventative rather than eradication. Going to futher research effectivness of natural methods. My birds get melon and squash at least once a week. They get mint, kale, parsley and such and law clippings. So all that could explain the loose poo. Anyway further learnig is required of me.

 

[Brookshire11]

I too have read that before...but have read in the forum it does not work. Lisa, in her book states that veggies like pumpkin, winter, crookneck, zucchini and other sqash as well as cantaloupe and water melon SEEDS are coated with cucurbitacin, which paralyzes worms. From what I read it seems she is indicating a preventative rather than eradication. Going to futher research effectivness of natural methods. My birds get melon and squash at least once a week. They get mint, kale, parsley and such and law clippings. So all that could explain the loose poo. Anyway further learnig is required of me.

You know I think you're right. They're more of a preventative, not a treatment.
I think that's what the acv and garlic does too though.

 

[magpiesing]

I've read where several folks use DE mixed in feed. That seems like it would be harmful given the way it kills bugs. It is fine but abrasive. But then chickens consume gravel and shells and dirt which is abrasive too...guess their gut can handle that stuff. It does make sense it would kill worms though.

 

[Brookshire11]

I've read where several folks use DE mixed in feed. That seems like it would be harmful given the way it kills bugs. It is fine but abrasive. But then chickens consume gravel and shells and dirt which is abrasive too...guess their gut can handle that stuff. It does make sense it would kill worms though.

IT's already in some commercial feeds I think..you should check
They use it to keep bugs out of the feed

 

[Brookshire11]

I just checked Lisa's book. Here is the recipe she gives for wormer.

1 bulb fresh garlic
1 cup raw, unsalted, unshelled pumpkin seed
1 cup raw old old fashion oats
1 cup dandelion greens
1 cup nasturtium flowers
2 tablespoon black strap molasses
1 cup water
Blend in food processor until fine and paste consistency

Feed free choice or mix with scrambled eggs or oatmeal

She states that the seeds of veggies like pumpkin and squash have a worm paralizer in them.
She also recommends feeding chickens garlic and mint year round as worm preventative...mine get mint but thought garlic would carry to the eggs like onion does to milk when cows eat onions.
Anyway...going to try the natural method first and see what happens.

Also, I crush garlic and put it in their water.
My eggs aren't garlicky, but I don't think it's as potent just floating in the water as it would be minced.
I haven't fed them minced since they started laying.

 

[lovingmyhens]

Question: have chickens always had to be dewormed? I really trying to go as natural as I can without my interference.

 

[Brookshire11]

Question: have chickens always had to be dewormed? I really trying to go as natural as I can without my interference.

Haven't done mine yet.....no issues so far. ?

 

[tiedyemommy]

I'm the same way now lol
I found a cute Serama trio about 30 min away for $15...but then I'm like..well...

I've found tons of listing for Serama. I don't necessarily have a breed preference, I have to wonder why so many of the same breed are suddenly available.

 

[tiedyemommy]

I have quite a few mixed pullets and cockerels about 2 months old. They are all blue andalusian mixed. We have too many of them now.

Let me check with my husband. Thanks!