The Middle Tennessee Thread

[believer01]

On a funny note:

Three of my girls usually stay outside till the very last minute, while the 2 that sleep in the nest boxes go on in before dark. Last night they were all inside way before dark! Must have been all tuckered out! Tonight, not quite as early but again, all were inside while it was still light out!

 

[HBuehler]

What a busy wet weekend..sold another 20 or so chicks..now I only have 5 Wheaten Ameraucana chicks left for sale and are holding the last 10 laying hens I had for sale. It's going to look like I have no chickens...not really.
I did buy a real pretty pair of Mottled Cochin's in CA and my pair of Buff Columbian Cochin's should also be getting here in the next few weeks.All of these bantam Cochin's just because of one little black bundle of fluff named Lucy who is now working on some frizzle chicks. I should be done buying chickens for a few days now

 

[SilkieTime]

I am going to the show next week in Newport, and went out to see what I want to take and sale. WOW, everyone needs a bath. I took a picture if Doc getting a groming from one of his ladys. Then Bama was standing guard.

No chicks in the house.

 

[believer01]

You ladies are way tooooo funny!

Holly, how do you get chicks back from CA? Is that where you went for a visit?

 

[HBuehler]

Believer the pair are getting ready to sing the song "I'm leaving on a jet plane" Shipping 2 adult birds express mail requires some thinking about...that's after buying them

.
Those Silkies look much cleaner than mine did last night when they came in.My newest color is TN Clay White

 

[believer01]

Okay, I really gotta do something - last night I had a nightmare - dreamed my Gypsy was very, very sick, drooping with her head lolling around. I've been pondering and researching and the only thing I can do that I haven't tried is worming with chemicals.

Please give me some guidance!!!

I've read that it's dangerous to use a strong wormer the 1st time as the expulsion of too many at once can be harmful. That its best to use ----- for a few days/weeks, then switch to ------ . But now I can't find that post! Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Or how do you all do it!!!???

 

[HBuehler]

Believer worm first with Wazine..the chicken wormer that the feed stores sell.It goes in the water.Then if you want to be real sure it's Ivermectin. Get the generic pour on for cattle..much cheaper than Ivomec and the same stuff.Then 6 drops between the shoulder blades on skin-part the feathers away.It will kill everything inside and out.
I have not personally found any natural wormer that works half as well as Ivermectin.. Now,that may not be your problem but it sure won't hurt them.We do as much naturally as we possibly can but fighting worms is a battle when they are outside digging in the dirt and eating meals that contain the worm eggs.

As much as I like all natural I have way too much invested to risk it.

 

[believer01]

Ah, thanks much! Right after posting my last message, I did one more search and it popped right up! The post I had read previously was old, but someone had renewed the discussion so it was right at the top! That, added to your info should do the trick! Thanks girl!

 

[Jenski]

believer01, I also like Albendazole and Fenbendazole. Here is some info from my files - - for those of you not needing worming info, just leave off here.

-------------------------------------------
Albendazole, marketed as Albenza, Eskazole, Zentel and Andazol, is a member of the benzimidazole compounds used as a drug indicated for the treatment of a variety of worm infestations. Although this use is widespread in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved albendazole for this indication. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. Albendazole was first discovered at the SmithKline Animal Health Laboratories in 1972. It is a broad spectrum anthelmintic, effective against: roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes of domestic animals and humans. (I also have a copy of the statistics of its efficacy from a scientific study, for those interested.) I would use this at any time of year - - no problems reported with molting feathers.
11.36% solution
10 mg/kg (recommended by my own avian vet)

From MSU Ag Dept - - Fenbendazole has been shown to be a very effective treatment for eliminating Capillaria (capillary worms), Heterakis (cecal worms), Ascaridia (roundworms), and Syngamus spp. (gapeworms). Toxicity from overdosing with fenbendazole is very remote. Research indicates that amounts up to 100 times the recommended dosages have been given under research conditions without adverse effects to the birds. Use of this product during molt, however, may cause deformity of the emerging feathers. (I would only use this in spring/summer, not during fall molt.)
10% solution (100mg/mL)
30 mg/kg - for capillaria, syngamus
------------------------------------------

I have a spreadsheet that will calculate dosages by weight if you like. Even though I know around how much my girls weigh, I pop them onto a kitchen scale I bought just for the birds if I am medicating for anything.

I personally like these "newer" and less used meds for my birds, as does my vet. He worries that the older drugs are less effective on worms these days. Both drugs may usually be found at TSC or at your local co-op. I shake well and use a 3 cc syringe to apply the tiny doses on little squares of sweet roll or something else I know the birds will eat. This seems the easiest way to administer to small numbers of birds and to be sure each one gets a proper dose. I separate each one for their dose, and put their little sweetie on a dish or on the ground, with maybe one or two untreated bites. When each girl is finished, I put her back and bring out the next one.

While you must go with your gut on treatment options, I personally would not worry about large worm expulsion affecting their health. I believe carrying an unhealthy worm load is far worse.

If you watch your pen/coop carefully, you may see dead and/or paralyzed worms in the droppings the day after worming. It is nasty, but do take note of the size and shape of the worms so you may understand what kinds you are dealing with. My guess is that if you have a worm issue, it is probably ascarids (round worms). (Oh, and clean them out of there! Oook!)

And . . . remembering the life cycle of worms, and the fact that most worm eggs have an interesting protective coating that makes them immune to most drugs, be sure to re-treat in 7-10 days to break the cycle and keep your girls clean for a good, long time.

Hope that helps. Please feel free to PM me if you would like more info. There's no need to PM me if that was waaayyyy more info than you ever needed.

 

[Jenski]

Hey Holly, are you getting good results with the Ivermectin for internal worms?

And do you find it helps any with scaly leg mites? I have wondered if it helps with that, but I wanted to ask someone who actually used it. Let me know!