What kind of worms are these? (Pics are yucky)

[VictoriaTemple]

I did not notice the signs of worm infestation in my flock because we were also fighting a respiratory ailment (tentatively identified as mycoplasma). I have lost a few young Marans cockerels and pullets, for some reason my Marans seem especially susceptible. Found these in the gizzard of the latest loss, a 20 week old pullet. I am already treating with diatomaceous earth in the feed because that’s the only dewormer I can get locally. If any more sicken I will have to order dewormer online, but what kind? What kind of worms are these? Please help! Thanks!

 

[MysteryChicken]

It's a round worm. You'll have to order an actual dewormer to deworm your birds.

 

[dawg53]

Large roundworms. Order Valbazen liquid cattle/sheep wormer. Dose each chicken 1/2ml orally using a syringe without a needle. Redose again in 10-14 days. The Valbazen will kill other types of unseen worms in your birds as well.
It's very possible the worms weakened your birds immune system causing their illnesses.
Here's a link where you can buy the 500ml bottle of Valbazen.
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...road)&utm_term=+valbezen&utm_content=Valbazen

 

[VictoriaTemple]

Thanks! Is there any way to tell from the size of the worms how long they might have been infected? Or why the Marans seem especially sickened by them? Can this type of worm also infect cats or humans? I have NO idea how I’m going to pay for Valbazen, that stuff is EXPENSIVE! But I can’t keep losing birds either! Is the DE effective at all? All the Amish farms here use it, even for their horses and other mammalian livestock. (Not that their chickens look great, they usually don’t).

 

[Folly's place]

DE will NOT kill internal parasites!!!
Fenbendazole is available at most pet and farm stores, and works fine.
Chickens can have small numbers of roundworms, yucky as they are, and not be sick because of them.
I hope your birds improve, and that you get a diagnosis about their respiratory problem.
Mary

 

[VictoriaTemple]

OK, don’t yell at me! It’s not my fault DE is all that’s available. Pennsylvania no longer allows dewormers for poultry to be sold, PERIOD. Unless I get it online, NOTHING IS AVAILABLE! Horse, cattle, sheep, goat, and swine dewormers are hard to come by also, and exorbitantly expensive if you can find them. All are for specifically identified worm species, and that is why I asked what kind they are. I am SICK and tired of people slamming each other over using DE! Did I ask for a lecture? NO, I need specific information to decide whether or not to BREAK THE LAW to save my flock. Ok with you? Thanks. You think I WANT to watch my birds die? They are my CHILDREN, and I just had to dig ANOTHER grave today. Everyone here uses DE because we can’t get anything else unless we go to an avian vet. Could you afford a $200 vet visit (for ONE bird) for even your very best breeding stock? I can’t, and I have cheap birds because I’m poor.

*SIGH* Thank you for the information. I will research the medicine you mentioned and see if I can find it affordably. I seriously doubt I can, but I’ll try. Based on my research, I should probably get my outdoor cats on dewormer too, and get tested myself (I handle the sick ones A LOT). It’s always something...

 

[dawg53]

One roundworm is one roundworm too many. One female large roundworm lays thousands of eggs a day which are deposited in feces on your soil, then picked up by your birds when pecking the soil and swallowed. Check out the Direct life cycle for roundworms and you'll see for yourself.

If the Valbazen is too expensive for you, get a bottle of Safeguard liquid goat wormer 125ml bottle. Dosage is 0.23ml per pound for 5 days given orally to each chicken using a syringe without needle.
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...mer&utm_content=Safe-Guard - Wormers - Liquid

 

[VictoriaTemple]

The Safeguard is rather specific about what species worms it treats. Do you have personal experience with this medicine? I’m not cheap, I honestly can’t afford a mistake.

 

[casportpony]

Pennsylvania no longer allows dewormers for poultry to be sold, PERIOD. Unless I get it online, NOTHING IS AVAILABLE! Horse, cattle, sheep, goat, and swine dewormers are hard to come by also, and exorbitantly expensive if you can find them. All are for specifically identified worm species, and that is why I asked what kind they are. I am SICK and tired of people slamming each other over using DE!

Pennsyvania Tractor Supply sell Safeguard for goats. Go get some.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-goats-125ml?solr=1&cm_vc=-10005&st=safeguard

 

[VictoriaTemple]

Just found it, thanks. Like I said, I need to know if it treats roundworms, since it does not specify that on the bottle.