Worming chickens?

[Chicken Cowgirl <3]

Hi, I'm a new chicken mama, I was just curious when do you start wormings chickens? and with what? I have 8 chicks that are about 4 weeks old they are on organic starter feed

 

[Phoenixheart14]

I deworm with Wazine twice a year during my hens molt so it doesn't effect their egg laying. You shouldn't deworm chickens under 12 weeks of age, so I would recommend doing it once they start their first adult molt. Are you ok with chemicals or do you want a natural solution? I also do natural preventatives every couple weeks.

 

[Folly's place]

There's no reason to treat chickens for worms unless they have them! If you wonder if there's a problem, have a fecal run at your veterinarian's first. Many flocks don't ever have a problem with intestinal parasites, while others do. My birds have been clear for three years now. That could change, and then I'll deal with it!
Mary

 

[Fleetwood77]

I have never wormed mine with chemicals. I want to go as natural as possible and I figure back in the day, when my Grandparents had chickens, they didn't go to the store and buy chemical wormer, and their chickens were fine. I make sure they are healthy. I have a small flock and let them free range. And I use preventives like apple cider vinegar, garlic, and then every fall I mix up a treat that's supposed to be a natural wormer. I got the recipe for that and all of my other info from the book "Fresh Eggs Daily".

 

[llombardo]

Other then a fecal, how else can you tell they have worms?

 

[Folly's place]

If you actually see worms (not maggots!) in very fresh poo. Some are too small to see though. Serious coccidia infections can cause bloody poo, but so can other things.
'Natural' products, as above, don't work, and those healthy birds are fine without using vinegar, etc.
Mary

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree with @Folly's place it's best to have a fecal float to check for worms, if possible. Some people have a hard time finding a vet that will do the testing.

If a vet is not an option for you, try your state lab - @Chicken Cowgirl <3 you have WA as your state - here's a link to your lab http://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/
Some people also use mail-in services like this for testing: https://www.amazon.com/Reptiles-Rabbits-Turtles-Collect-Sample/dp/B000J5SOZ4

 

[Chicken Cowgirl <3]

I have a brand new flock. I’m new to chickens, but I have horses and dogs and cats I just want to make sure all are healthy worm free , I worm my horse twice a year spring and fall

 

[Phoenixheart14]

I have a brand new flock. I’m new to chickens, but I have horses and dogs and cats I just want to make sure all are healthy worm free , I worm my horse twice a year spring and fall

I also have lots of livestock and also do them twice a year.

http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2014/02/common-herbs-and-their-health-benefits.html?m=1
This is a great page about what herbs benefit your flock.

 

[junkman56]

I give my chickens ACV in their water, and garlic, so far I have not had any problem with worms. or mite/ lice, my chickens are around a year old now