Worming Chickens

[JoMama]

How do I know if I need to do this? Is it something you just do regularly? Is there a certain brand, or do I just ask for it at the feed store? Please tell me if there is other stuff I need to give them as well. I am new to this whole chicken thing and really could use some advice! Right now all I'm am giving is layer pellets, oyster shell, and scratch. I give green veggies and apples too. They love apples and cucumbers. A few like spinach and brocolli, and a few don't. I've been seeing people talk about DE as well what does it stand for, and what does it do? And do I need it? LOL! Thanks!

 

[Dora'smom]

DE is diatomaceous earth---the little silica fossils of tiny sea creatures, and it is great to use for dusting the coop and run with---to dry it out some, but it is really not useful (as far as I can tell) for worming birds. If you do use it, get the food grade--it should say food codex on it. Food grade is a little more difficult to find, but the right thing to use. An alternative for drying is a product called Stall Dry. It is DE mixed with other additives. You probably want to use it in such a way that you do not inhale the product, either.
As far as worming your birds, I think that often Wazine (available at many farm stores) is the product to use for roundworm. It goes in the drinking water for a 24 hour period, followed by a water change. For two weeks following dosing, you will need to discard the eggs, and should not attempt to fix those eggs to feed the chickens or dogs, etc. as there will be pesticide in them. I have read that following up with a more broad spectrum product such as Ivermectin, is a good idea, but it gets a little confusing for me after that. I am not sure how long you toss eggs for, and if people really treat and toss eggs for a full month a couple of times a year or what. I have read most of what's on this site regarding worming, but there doesn't seem to be a definitive rule about length of time to discard. Good luck with your birds.

 

[Rowzy]

I do worm my hens but that is because they have access to horse manure and I worry about them getting wormy. I have lost a hen to symptoms that pointed to worms, and thats when i started deworming them. I use a non-chemical wormer called Verm-X, I use the liquid which you just put in their water for 3 days. It is fairly inexpensive and lasts a long time, and you dont have to keep throwing away the eggs for a long time after the treatment. I have found that it adds a funny flavor to the eggs (similar to if you fed them garlic or onion) while they are on it.

 

[dawg53]

jomama,dora'smom is absolutely correct in worming procedures. to be on the safe side,i throw out eggs for 1 month after using ivermectin.verm-x is not a proven worm paralyzer/killer.(see threehorses threads on this subject.) i also use DE food grade in the coop,keeps the fly population down during the summer and i put a little in their feed too.i have an old flower bed that they take their baths in and i throw some DE in there and rake it in the dirt.

 

[chicachic]

Like JoMomma asked, how does one know if the chickens NEED to be wormed? Do they always act sick if theyhave worms? And are they born with them like puppies are. No one ever mentioned worming to me in the past and I find it interesting. What is the real purpose if DE? My friend fills her pool filter w it(of course, not the food grade kind).There's alot of stuff I never heard of before on this site, it's starting to be confusing, although educational.