When should I worm my chickens?

[TacomaChickNMom]

I have five 6-month-old pullets that have been indoors except for a few occasions when I have let them run around the backyard while I cleaned their bedding.

Do I need to worm them now (or anytime soon?) or do I only need to worry about worming them once they are moved outside permanently?

They were fed Medicated Chick Starter but are now on regular grower feed.

Thanks.

 

[Chick Charm]

You may never have to worm. ACV will help with this if given on a regular basis. If they get worms then you surely will want to worm them though.

Have you noticed any problems?

 

[dawg53]

If their feet touch the ground, they'll get worms eventually. Your soil conditions dictate how often you should worm. Warm/moist soil may require frequent wormings as compared to cool mountainous/rocky soil or hot desertlike soil which may only require worming once a year or longer. ACV will not prevent worms.

 

[casportpony]

If their feet touch the ground, they'll get worms eventually. Your soil conditions dictate how often you should worm. Warm/moist soil may require frequent wormings as compared to cool mountainous/rocky soil or hot desertlike soil which may only require worming once a year or longer. ACV will not prevent worms.

X2

 

[Chick Charm]

They should not need a worming at this age with them being raised indoors.

Even though you are in Tacoma (PNW is know for its rain) you should pay attention to the birds overall health. Worming with meds (like Wazine) is the only way to get rid of them. Round worms, gapeworms and tapeworms are common among chickens. You can usually tell by #1 their droppings and if a bird is underweight or eats a lot without gaining weight.

 

[dawg53]

They should not need a worming at this age with them being raised indoors.

Even though you are in Tacoma (PNW is know for its rain) you should pay attention to the birds overall health. Worming with meds (like Wazine) is the only way to get rid of them. Round worms, gapeworms and tapeworms are common among chickens. You can usually tell by #1 their droppings and if a bird is underweight or eats a lot without gaining weight.

Birds can get worms in as little as 10-11 weeks old. Wazine only gets rid of large roundworms. Gapeworm are rare in chickens. A broad spectrum wormer such as valbazen or safeguard will take care of all types of worms. Safeguard wont kill tapes in poultry.
By the time you see worms in feces, they are already infested with them and have no other place to go but out the rear end.
When you see a bird that is lethargic, slowed or not eating or drinking, not laying eggs, disheveled feathers, not acting like a chicken should...time to worm them. Again, if their feet touch the ground, they will get worms.

 

[TacomaChickNMom]

Thanks! I meant to say I have 6-week old pullets, not 6 month old LOL.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks! I meant to say I have 6-week old pullets, not 6 month old LOL.

I have wormed some that young, but that's because I have a problem with histomoniasis. I'm not really sure when most people start their worming programs. See my avatar? Get yourself a scale like it and get baseline weights on your chicks. If they stop gaining weight or lose weight, worm them. Take your time and do the research on worming and figure out a program that works for you and your climate/soil conditions, maybe consult with a vet or talk to a local vet school.

 

[Chick Charm]

This may be helpful for you.