To worm or not to worm?

[jdoane]

So I've read that pullets should be wormed a certain amount of time before laying. Would love to hear some pros and cons on this. And if recommending preventative worming please also let me know which wormer you recommend. I am rather confused with the this wormer takes care of these worms and this takes care of that.

Thanks!

 

[TheReadyBoys]

Pumpkin seeds act as natural dewormers. Get a few pumpkins, cut them in half and you are set!

 

[sumi]

Many people deworm as a precaution once or twice a year. Others prefer to only deworm once they see evidence of worms, but I've learned the hard way that just because you can't see anything in their droppings it doesn't mean there's nothing to worry about. Personally I prefer to do a precautionary deworm every 6 months.
Valbazen is one of the highly recommended dewormers here. There is more info on that and yet another dewormer, Wazine, here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/401475/worming-with-valbazen

Another popular one is Safeguard, more on that here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/810587/help-dewormed-chickens-still-have-worms (post #3)

It is said that natural products such as DE, garlic, pumpkin seeds etc helps prevent and treat worms, but I'd recommend going to chemical route rather. You can read about one member's findings here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ts-is-not-coryza-or-crd-parasites-are-rampant

 

[jdoane]

Thanks Sumi. Do you know what the youngest recommended age for worming would be. My pullets are only 7 weeks now and so probably not due to start laying for at least another 2 months. IF I worm them in about 6 weeks when they are 13 weeks would that be two young?

 

[sumi]

13 Weeks is good. I asked a vet friend of mine once when the earliest is that I can safely deworm my chicks and he recommended they be at least a month old.

 

[jdoane]

Ok. Another question. Was looking online for Valbazen. Could only find it for goats and other animals. Is it the same thing for chickens?

 

[dawg53]

Ok.  Another question.  Was looking online for Valbazen.  Could only find it for goats and other animals.  Is it the same thing for chickens?

Valbazen cattle/sheep wormer can be used on chickens, it's the best wormer on the market. Administer using a syringe without a needle, orally undiluted to each chicken. Dosage is 1/2cc for standard size birds, 1/4cc for smaller birds. Repeat dosing again in 10 days. There's a 14 day withdrawal period after the last dosing.
http://www.jefferspet.com/valbazen/camid/LIV/cp/16387/

 

[jdoane]

Valbazen cattle/sheep wormer can be used on chickens, it's the best wormer on the market. Administer using a syringe without a needle, orally undiluted to each chicken. Dosage is 1/2cc for standard size birds, 1/4cc for smaller birds. Repeat dosing again in 10 days. There's a 14 day withdrawal period after the last dosing.
http://www.jefferspet.com/valbazen/camid/LIV/cp/16387/

Thanks dawg53. This probably sounds like a total newbie question but I am so....

Are there any pointers for opening a chickens beak and get the syringe in there?

 

[cafarmgirl]

I usually have someone help me by holding the chicken, then you can try a couple different methods. You can grasp their wattles firmly and pull down gently until they open their beaks. What works better for me is wrapping my hand around the back of their head to hold it still and then using one finger to open the beak. No matter how you do it they aren't going to like it and they are going to fight at first. The important thing is that you want to administer the dewormer slowly and let them swallow, you don't want the aspirating it.

 

[jdoane]

Sounds like fun!!!