When do you worm chickens?

[LittleHouseDreams]

Do you worm them only if they have worms or do you worm them as a precaution? If so, at what age do you worm them and how often do you do it (i.e. once a year, every 6 months?)

 

[gritsar]

Although I never saw any worms in their stools I was unhappy with the weight gain of some of my girls, so I decided to worm. I plan to worm once a year at this time for my own peace of mind.

 

[chickbea]

I don't like to worm unless I know what I have, as medications and length of treatment varies depending on the worm. I bring a fecal sample to the vet - I can't remember what she charges but it is $5-$10.

 

[Barnyard]

I agree with gritstar. My cochins were a little on the puny side so I decided to worm. Some people will worm every six months and some will worm once a year. It is your choice. I just wormed 75 chickens yesterday!!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Though I have slightly less chickens than you do (18) I was surprised at how easy it was. I used a broad spectrum wormer to cover all the bases.

 

[Barnyard]

Yeah it was really easy. I use a wormer that is actually for horses and goat's. It is a paste which is awesome! Got my advice from a very knowledgeable person on BYC.

 

[ILoveJoe]

I have read alot about people using DE in their chickens dust bath etc...my new farrier gives her horses DE as a holistic approach to parasite prevention in her horses. Couldn't it also apply to chickens?

 

[mksenoj]

I use horse wormer.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
DE is said to help in the prevention and control of worms; not to totally erradicate them. Like I said I had a suspicion of worms because of some of the girls not gaining weight the way I felt they should be.
Like barnyard I turned to the BYC experts for help. I found a cattle wormer that was easy to use and covered just about any type of worm you can think of. I wanted to be able to do it and get it over with, without worrying whether the medicine was effective or not.
What I read frequently is people treating with Wazine and thinking they've covered their bases. Wazine only treats roundworms. There are many more types of worms.

 

[happyfeet]

what horse wormer do you use? ivermectin, safegaurd, and waht dosage?