The best chicken wormer? And how often?

[Tmatthews]

I have a general worming question. I've read so much about what to deworm chickens with that I'm confused!! If I use Safeguard will that eliminate most types of worms? And how often should you deworm your chickens? Also, how long should you wait before you can eat the eggs again after deworming?

 

[Judy]

I use Valbazen, partly because the bottle I have is still good; it's the first wormer I bought. Also, it's supposed to be not only quite effective but also relatively gentle on the birds, not causing excessive toxins or dead worm buildup in the birds. Two doses are given, 10 days apart. Eggs are discarded for 21 days after the first dose. Valbazen kills all worms, although if tapeworms are present, you may need a higher dose or additional treatment. Safeguard kills all worms except tapeworms. There is at least one other wormer that also sounds like a good alternative, Wormout. You can tell if your birds have tapes because there will be small white bits in the poop, which look much like rice. I worm once a year, although twice a year in my warm, wet climate might actually be a better approach. Actually I know of at least one long time chicken keeper in this area who worms 4 or 5 times a year. I'll give you some links with more complete information.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-i-wait-after-using-wazine/0_20#post_12410869

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/29874841/Chicken-Withdrawal-Time-Chart

http://healthybirds.umd.edu/Disease/Deworming Birds.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...peworm-or-any-worms-really/0_20#post_11670181

 

[casportpony]

There is a study that says when fenbendazole (Safeguard or Panacur, liquid or paste) is given three days in a row it will treat roundworms, cecal worms gapeworms and tapeworms. Suggested effective dose is 20mg/kg (.2ml per 2.2 pounds) three days in a row.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6750887
Efficacy of fenbendazole against helminth parasites of poultry in Uganda.

Ssenyonga GS.
Abstract

Fenbendazole 4% (Panacur, Hoechst) administered in feed was used to treat chickens infected with Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and Railletina spp. It was also used to treat Syngamus trachea in broiler birds. There was a marked drop in helminth egg counts in the faeces on the second day of treatment and the faeces became negative by the seventh day after the last treatment. Post-mortem examination 15 to 21 days later showed that the drug was 100% effective against Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum at 10 mg/kg. However, for complete removal of Railletina spp. 15 mg/kg was required. Similarly 20 mg/kg fenbendazole was effective against Syngamus trachea. It was concluded that fenbendazole is suitable for the treatment of the important intestinal and tracheal worms of poultry, a dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days being recommended for use under field conditions.

 

[yogifink]

Unless your chickens are family pets, I don't think a dewormer is worth the hassle.

I have heard pumpkin seeds are just as effective?

 

[ten chicks]

Unless your chickens are family pets, I don't think a dewormer is worth the hassle.

I have heard pumpkin seeds are just as effective?

No,pumpkin seeds will not kill worms. A parasite infestation will kill a chicken,so yes a wormer is definitely worth it!

 

[casportpony]

No,pumpkin seeds will not kill worms. A parasite infestation will kill a chicken,so yes a wormer is definitely worth it!

X2!

 

[yogifink]

Unless your chickens are family pets, I don't think a dewormer is worth the hassle.


I have heard pumpkin seeds are just as effective?

No,pumpkin seeds will not kill worms. A parasite infestation will kill a chicken,so yes a wormer is definitely worth it!

Like I said, if your chickens are not PETS, than its not worth it. I don't see someone with 150 laying hens giving an oral injection to each of their birds and then loosing 31 days worth of product...

 

[dawg53]

Quote: Like I said, if your chickens are not PETS, than its not worth it. I don't see someone with 150 laying hens giving an oral injection to each of their birds and then loosing 31 days worth of product...
When you lose birds to internal parasites, what is the dollar amount for losing birds AND eggs?
A 15 dollar bottle of safeguard liquid goat wormer will go along way treating 150 laying hens. Also, the wormers that are mentioned in this thread are given orally, not injected.

 

[ten chicks]

Like I said, if your chickens are not PETS, than its not worth it. I don't see someone with 150 laying hens giving an oral injection to each of their birds and then loosing 31 days worth of product...

I am sure you nor customers if you sell eggs would appreciate finding a worm in their eggs,bad for business. If your chickens had a untreated worm infestation,you would not have 150 hens for long.

 

[Tmatthews]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies! I have 11 hens and I want to give them a good wormer to prevent any problems. This really helped me! I don't want to burden the hens with several wormers when I can use one good product! Thanks again!!!!