Who Worms and how often?

[columbiacritter]

I've never wormed my flock and they all seem real healthy. Should I do it periodically anyway?

 

[JennsPeeps]

I just wormed on Monday after finding out our BR had been fighting worms for a long time. I'll have to reworm in another month to break the month-long roundworm cycle (using Wazine).

After that I'll probably worm once annually.

Should I be doing differently? The whole worming routine is foreign to me.

 

[Cetawin]

Colmbiacritter, I would do it peridocially anyway. If they are allowed access to the yard, dirt and such, they are going to get some parasites ingested. As for how often...

I dunno. I am going to worm all of my girls today with a broad spectrum (ivermectin pour on). I hear mixed things on how often and such. Some say annually, some say every 6 months or so. I think I am going to worm them annually, when their laying is slow and I am going to pitch the eggs during that cycle.

The medication says to worm and then repeat in 10 days. So I plan on pitching the eggs for a month.

I would be interested to hear others' thoughts on this topic also.

JennsPeeps...you know Wazine only gets the roundworms right? If you want to get all of them you need a broad spectrum wormer.

 

[Jenski]

My Avian vet suggests against overmedicating, so I don't worm unless I detect a problem - - either finding direct evidence or noticing the condition of the hens. I do keep a wide range of worming products handy, though, and I have plenty of med charts, etc. etc. OCD etc., LOL!

 

[gallusdomesticus]

I worm once a month, as a preventative, with an organic wormer, vermex. You don't have to discard the eggs as the wormer is not a chemical and there is no withdrawal period.
The web site is www.Verm-Xusa.com
Its small pellets you put on top of their food. My chickens like it and have no problem getting them to eat it.

 

[sweet_peeps]

The Verm-X sounds really good.

According to the directions it says to add "x" amt. per bird.

How do you know how much each chicken eats and do you only put that much out each day?
Or, if they don't finish what you put out do you take it away after the 3 day period or what?

I guess what i'm asking is: How do YOU use it?

 

[EggGardener]

I am also interested in Verm-x.
Has anyone rid their chickens of worms by using this stuff? I'd be interested to hear, and I'm sure that others would be as well. Other wormers are questionable for egg layers, and if this stuff really clears up worms it'd be famtastic--the ingredients are all herbs and spices.

 

[Catalina]

I'm interested in this too.

One of my hens is feeling lighter than she usually does.
I was thinking of worming, but after searching the site for info on worming I was even more confused on what to use/if I should use anything.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:
Have you taken a stick and rummaged around a fresh poop? how does her poop look? Is it firm or watery? Can you see small white particles or even worms in it? Any blood?

 

[Cetawin]

I only have two issues, which I would further research, with verm-X which is the ingredient of peppermint and cayenne.

Peppermint and mints in general are not usually good for birds. There is an ingredient in them which causes burning of the esophogus over time...

and

Cayenne. While it is not dangerous in small quanities, it does raise the body temperature. Therefore, I would not use it hot climates like the South or in the summer. The heavy breeds, which many people have, need to keep their body temperature down in the high heat, not have it elevated. They are very susceptible to heat stroke and dehrydation in the hot weather (susteained temps above 80). Chickens do best in temps of 50 - 70 degrees. As you are in Florida (as a native floridian I know the heat down there, albeit it is not that bad where you are) I would not use anything with Cayenne in it.

While all natural products are more preferred, they are less effective usually in the immediate. Over long term use, they be more beneficial for the overall health and avoidance of chemicals. However, I would not recommend anyone rely solely on a product like that or straight DE, if there are worms or a high probability of them.

Well that is my thoughts on it. I will do more research on the mints with chickens specifically versus other birds.