Worm Overload in Chickens

[Tiffany Wikk]

Yeah, I wouldn’t want to try it on a roo myself

Oh, he's a sweet boy to me! Yeah he's strong and sometimes he squeezes my fingers, but so do the other hens. Seems like EVERY time I see him he asks for a cuddle and curls up in my lap and sticks his head under my arm. He's cranky sometimes lately which we've been dealing with, but he's still a really good boy when I need to do something with him.
Honestly he's easier than some of the hens to syringe feed

 

[Elspeth Dinsmore]

Posting for @Tiffany Wikk and @Elspeth Dinsmore

Tiffany and Elspeth currently have 4 very sick chickens after worming their flock of 11 this weekend, it appears they are ill from a worm overload based on poop pics.
They have a thread but I don’t know how to attach it here, please reply if you have any suggestions to help them with their beloved birds. Thank you!

You are amazing! You keep coming to our rescue! I don't know what we would have done without you! You have no idea how much it means to my family. You went above and beyond to help us.

 

[Barnette]

The issue is that the chickens are now very sick due to a large number of dead worms.

I would try feeding them watered-down molasses

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Let me see if I can get some help on the dosage. I know you can use activated charcoal in poultry, but I am unsure of the dosage. I have only used it in myself and other animals for herxheimer reactions lol I believe @Miss Lydia might know the dosage charcoal dosage for poultry?

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

Let me see if I can get some help on the dosage. I know you can use activated charcoal in poultry, but I am unsure of the dosage. I have only used it in myself and other animals for herxheimer reactions lol I believe @Miss Lydia might know the dosage charcoal dosage for poultry?

Thank you so so much for the help! Sounds like a wonderful idea to use

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

They are most likely having a Herxheimer reaction. When parasites die they release toxins into the host. When there are a lot of parasites the more toxins you have being released all at once. It’s actually not an uncommon response I myself have experienced it and it feels somewhat like a flu.

I'm super new to all of this so forgive me if I ask anything that doesn't make sense or is obvious.
Since our chickens have worms should I be concerned of us getting them as well? Are these the kinds that can pass to humans? If so what would you recommend to prevent that from getting bad? Like dosage of charcoal for a human? We've tried to be careful about where they poo, trying to keep it on washable blankets and towels, but occasionally it lands on the carpet and it gets wiped up. We're going to get out the carpet cleaner after all this is over and give them some good cleanings.
Do I need to be concerned of us getting worms though, since the dewormer probably killed the worms? Or could there be eggs?
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to learn and be prepared.

 

[coach723]

For activated charcoal give 1 tsp of charcoal mixed in 8 oz of pure water, orally and give 6-8 times through the day. I would give as much as you can get in each time. You have to give a lot of water with the charcoal or it can block them up.

 

[coach723]

Since our chickens have worms should I be considered of us getting them as well? Are these the kinds that can pass to humans?

Most parasites are host specific, there are exceptions. If you are practicing basic hygiene, then you are unlikely to get them. Washing hands, not eating things off the ground sick), etc. I've had chickens for almost 15 years, deal with roundworm in them on a regular basis, have cows, donkey, dogs, cats, never got worms from any of them.

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

Most parasites are host specific, there are exceptions. If you are practicing basic hygiene, then you are unlikely to get them. Washing hands, not eating things off the ground sick), etc. I've had chickens for almost 15 years, deal with roundworm in them on a regular basis, have cows, donkey, dogs, cats, never got worms from any of them.

Oh, that makes me feel so much better! Yes, we're trying to wash our hands and clean things up (and no, we aren't eating off the ground). We've been pood on a few times, but we change our clothes and hope it's alright! Thank you for your response! That helps so so much!

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

For activated charcoal give 1 tsp of charcoal mixed in 8 oz of pure water, orally and give 6-8 times through the day. I would give as much as you can get in each time. You have to give a lot of water with the charcoal or it can block them up.

Okay! Thank you!!!
I will make sure to give lots of water with it. This helps so much!