Worming chickens?

[aart]

Quote:
I'd be more concerned about the types as counts dont matter.
Aren't a few present 'normal', where as a large count would indicate a 'bloom' and overpopulation in need of eradication?

 

[enola]

In a healty chicken, a few worms are not life threatening. But, in an ill chicken any worms that are found, need to be treated. When a chicken becomes sick, that is the perfect setting for worms to reproduce at a very high rate.

 

[aart]

In a healty chicken, a few worms are not life threatening. But, in an ill chicken any worms that are found, need to be treated. When a chicken becomes sick, that is the perfect setting for worms to reproduce at a very high rate.

Granted, but the person I was replying to didn't mention illness just whether routine worming was necessary.
I've asked on a vet group if asking for types and counts is reasonable.
I would like details and education if paying for testing... not just, 'yeah, they got worms, we'll sell you this to treat them.'

 

[casportpony]

Not positive, but I think when any eggs in dogs are found they suggest worming.

-Kathy

 

[lizro]

Just wanted to say I've read thru this thread and its really interesting. My 6 rescue hens share my garden and I am quite paranoid about checking the droppings. So far they've passed round worms a few days after eating a lot of my Comfrey. I treated them with Panacur which my vet prescribed. They have just had 3 days worth of AVC and the day after starting the AVC they started passing tape worms. I discovered - thank you Dawg53- that Panacur won't deal with tapeworms so have ordered a horse wormer and will follow Dawgs advice re dose - I would like to think the Comfrey and the AVC were responsible for the expulsion of the worms but I'm not prepared to have hens with worms sharing my garden so I'm happy to treat - I think Dawg is very very knowledgable and I'm grateful as a newby for his knowledge.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
I'd be more concerned about the types as counts dont matter.
Aren't a few present 'normal', where as a large count would indicate a 'bloom' and overpopulation in need of eradication?

How many worms does it take to lay thousands of eggs onto your soil in one day that your other birds will pick up? (ONE worm.)

 

[pfields]

Can you treat the ground?

 

[dawg53]

Can you treat the ground?

Relocate your birds, lime the soil and till it. It still doesnt guarantee eggs will be eliminated as they are encased in hard shells and can last for years in the soil in all types of weather and temperature extremes.
It's best to set up a regular worming schedule rotating wormers as time goes by. Your soil dictates how often you should worm your birds. Warm moist or wet soil will require frequent wormings. Cold or cool soil, rocky/mountainous soil, or hot desertlike soil may require less wormings. Sand placed in runs and/or pens helps keep everything dry reducing the chances of worm problems. Sand doesnt wash away like dirt, no nasty mudpuddles to deal with, and sand dries quicker than dirt. Sand also deters insects which could possibly be hosts for infective worm eggs or larva that can infect chickens when the insect is eaten.

 

[pfields]

Due to our current heat wave in Texas, I have a mister running under the trees in the backyard. This helps keep them cool during the heat of the day but it also keeps the sand there moist. How big of a problem is this?

 

[dawg53]

Due to our current heat wave in Texas, I have a mister running under the trees in the backyard. This helps keep them cool during the heat of the day but it also keeps the sand there moist. How big of a problem is this?

I understand and know what you're going through. You gotta do what you gotta do to keep your birds cool. Excessive heat stress can kill birds, worming can wait unless it's an emergency.