What wormer?

[annmarie]

Can someone please give me a quick rundown on worming? What wormer should I buy? Where is it available? How is is administered? I'm in the dark on this one and I need to help out a possibly sick hen ASAP. I took a quick look at the Murray McMurry site at the wormers they sold and 2 of the 3 were not for laying hens and she is laying at the moment. Help please!

 

[CovenantCreek]

I add DE to their layer mash -- brand name, Perma-Guard (human food grade). It's a natural, non-chemical way to get rid of internal and external parasites (for the external bugs you can dust them with it). I added it to their mash at the rate of 1 lb DE per 20 lbs of mash, but that seemed like a lot as I was mixing them. Next time I'm going to cut it in half.

 

[annmarie]

Thank you for your reply. I'm glad to hear you suggest DE since I think I saw it the last time I was at the local feed store. How often do you include this in their mash? Also, I feed my hens pellets, rather than mash. I'm guessing that it might not mix into pellets very well. Perhaps I should create a warm mash with their pellets and add the DE as a treat?

 

[Redfeathers]

I add DE in with the pellets, it seems to work out just fine, it kind of clings to everything since it's such a fine powder, plus dusting it everywhere really seems to help, they can't help but ingest some if it's everywhere. Or you could sprinkle it on their treats.

 

[annmarie]

Nothing like simple solutions!

Thank you all. By the way, I love your Irish Setter picture. We had a beautiful Irish Setter growing up and it's so rare to them around, especially one as lovely as yours!

 

[annmarie]

Oh, by the way, is it possible for a chicken to OD on DE?!

 

[hinkjc]

I don't think they can OD on DE, but please make sure it is food grade (it will say so on the bag). The other stuff is toxic. The food grade looks like flour and has less than 3% silica.

Also, if you have an infestation of internal parasites, DE is not the answer..it is fine for preventing a parasite load, but not for eliminating it. For that you would need something stronger.

Jody

 

[CovenantCreek]

Quote:
Make absolutely sure what you get is the quality for human consumption -- there are several different grades of DE, most of which are not safe to add to the feed. The one you want is called "fossil shell flour", as opposed to D-20 for pets & animals, D-20 for fire ants, or the worst, the variety for swimming pool filters. Here's a web page (Dirtworks.net) that offers a lot of info about the different forms.

PS: Dirtworks is based in VT