Thoughts on worming schedule? Mite/lice prevention?

[Birdsong 82]

I have read about Wormwood it’s amazing ability to keep away mice another small rodents. Didn’t know about the cocci. Definitely could it hurt as a preventative measure

 

[EggSighted4Life]

As far as natural things that work...I use artemesia/wormwood to prevent coccidiosis in my chicks and it hasn't been an issue for me yet. I don't know if it would have been an issue had I not used it, but my choice is based on actual research as well as the historical use of wormwood prior to synthesized anthelmics. I also blend veggie mixes for my adult chickens in the food processor and add wormwood to this along with garlic and cayenne.

NCBI Research Article

Sounds like a lot of work for something that only protects against 2 out the 9 or more species identified that can potentially effect poultry.

An easier natural prevention... keep poo out of the water and keep the bedding dry.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Combination of the two is.even better right. I’ve been reading about wormwood health benefits so maybe it’s good for just the general health rather than prevention of Cocci. Don’t know haven’t tried myself though

 

[ronott1]

One thing I've never thought of is a fecal float. Not sure why as my dogs and cat have them done yearly. I'll have to do some research on it. Do you do yours at home?

The closest vet that takes chickens is 3 hours away, that's why learning about preventing and detecting problems is important to me. We do own a microscope and I've used that before to look at poop with my daughter (more for her curiosity at the time) now I'm thinking we could use it more often.

Poo is Poo! Any vet that does a fecal float can test chicken poo for worms. Take in a sample but do not say it is from chickens.

 

[Ms Biddy]

There are many types of cocci that overpopulate different portions of the digestive tract. The cecal forms are the most common in chicks and are the forms affected most by wormwood. This is what I gleaned from reading. I linked to a research article but it isn't the only one out there. Naturally, I strive to keep my brooder clean but have you ever noticed that baby chicks peck at and eat each other's poop? I want to smack my head every time I see it, but they aren't little geniuses that's for sure.

 

[Rshumpal]

Pumpkin doesn't work as wormer... did you do fecal floats to confirm before or after counts? Tape worms and large round worms are the only ones that will EVER be seen in droppings (and then maybe only under heavy load), as all others stay living in the intestines and only their microscopic oocysts (eggs) will pass. PLEASE... if you do treat with pumpkin this time around... get before and after floats and report your results back here... tag me with @ in front of my user name. I seek to know the TRUTH not an old wives tale... and so far NOBODY who "treats" worms with pumpkin or DE is willing to... My offer is to pay for half... There is already clinical studies showing DE ineffective as a wormer. I truly mean no ugliness and my desire is to help people not to give them a false sense of security just because they don't understand biology and don't "see worms".

Also coccidia are in every chicken poo... they are ONLY a problem when too many of the microscopic oocysts have been ingested. It can happen to anyone at anytime... but usually accentuated by over crowding or warm/humid conditions... similar to a brooder or certain weather patterns. Accidental droppings in the waterer spreads coccidiosis (an overgrowth bloom) fast.

I personally never ever treat anything just on a schedule. I will check for everything on a schedule... every few weeks for parasites a physical check of multiple birds AFTER DARK with a flash light is most effective since SOME mites only come out to feed at night and don't actually live on the bird. And a couple fecal floats per year to check worm load AND species... since it's pointless to treat for what you don't have while maybe not treating what you do and not all wormers treat all worms... treating without cause is a recipe for resistance to the drugs and making them not work when you really need them too. Also note that some mites are microscopic and you will never see them, but only the evidence of them... Like Scaly leg mites and depluming.

DE is stuff I hate. Consider it over rated, overused, and ineffective in MANY environments AND on many parasites... plus it's indiscriminate and will take bees and all in addition to being strip mined. I also consider it a health hazard to my birds and my family. The dust cloud when they are bathing is on par with a tractor plowing a field and I see it explode every time they shake out there after.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/the-cut-dry-truth-about-diatomaceous/

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/diatomaceous-earth-de-benefitrisk/

Listen, I'm ALL for natural and organic IF it works. But when the health of my birds is at stake, I won't fool around.

If I NEED to treat for lice or mites... which I never did for 9 years in a different location... I use permethrin spray. It's safe, effective, affordable, labeled for use in chickens, and no withdrawal time for eggs. It's the synthetic version of Pyrethrum which is a chrysanthemum extract. But to me organic or not... poison IS poison, think lead, arsenic type stuff. There are other product like elector psp, and IC3 that are good alternatives.

The worm load will depend on your pasture situation. Some places have higher populations than others. I practice good pasture management for prevention. Since it is new to you, maybe you can do a float at different times of year the first year or... see how your count looks and then if it seem like you do have a heavy season... maybe then treat on a schedule... trying to switch up the drug you use to prevent parasite resistance.

With enough birds... for me, I decided most the poo I remove gets hauled off in the trash can. It really isn't garden gold. You might consider deep litter method in your run?? I tried to make mine like the forest floor... inviting good microbes and bugs to come clean up and compete for space with the nasties. I still pick up what poo I see... but the build of leaves, grass clippings, pine needles and so on really keeps things dry and flies down. Could also consider making a fly trap... inverted cone part into a soda bottle with attractant like raw meat scrap (waste) or surprisingly a slice of apple.

Funny enough... you mention using DE especially in hot months... I believe (but always here to learn) that lice and mites are more cool weather pests... I KNOW the lice is according to my vet and for MY area. Hot weather here actually equals LESS cleaning for me... because everything dries out pretty fast. In cool weather, I have to clean way more often to keep things acceptable. But I know each situation is unique... as so finding and knowing what works for YOU in YOUR location is key.

I am no expert... these are my opinion based on my experience, research, and understanding... after about 9 years and a few hundred birds.

You are already seeking the truth about different treatment. You have come to the right place! You will still get many varied opinions and still have to sort through the muck ( I see a LOT of misinformation spread EVERY day) and decide what truly makes sense to YOU.

I prefer barn lime or Sweet PDZ if I need to keep odor down.

Ask a long question... get a LONG answer. Like MOST here, I'm a BIT passionate.

Good luck and best wishes with your flock!

Do you worry about the girls eating the PDZ?

 

[Birdsong 82]

Poo is Poo! Any vet that does a fecal float can test chicken poo for worms. Take in a sample but do not say it is from chickens.

That is what makes sense bit oddly enough I'm ordering kit to do my own after some studying. There is not vet even close that will run a fecal float for chickens .Makes no sense. And if the sample came back with worms they would want to see the dog I'm sure if I rd them it was a dog.

 

[Birdsong 82]

When placed under thick or small amount mixed in bedding works great and unless the eat the bedding it probably not eaten .
That stuff works wonders in goats shelters too

Do you worry about the girls eating the PDZ?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Do you worry about the girls eating the PDZ?

No I actually don't worry about it... anymore, though I did at first.

They just don't seem that interested in plain white dust. But I love that these questions give me an opportunity for further research I might not have otherwise done!

Check out some links on zeolite... the Z in PDZ... Looks like it may be fairly well studied and have many effective and SAFE uses..
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/zeolites.html

https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/mineral-resource-month-zeolites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeolite

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/zeolite

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6277462/

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/zeolite

Anyone who is interested in openly discussing alternative or natural worming methods without arguing points or putting anyone down, please join the thread I started and share your information or ask more questions. TIA! ...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/alternative-and-natural-wormers.1337697/