WORMING DUCKS~Who Does/Doesn't Do It

[FunnyBunnies12]

Thanks so much ladies! That makes a lot of sense, I think I won't worm them. I keep things pretty cleaned up around the yard. I'd hate to put any chemicals in them that I truly don't have to.

 

[ejctm]

Because my birds free range over the same area, and I am not able to rotate the land, and because we have wild birds visit the garden, and my tortoises also roam around, I do worm my birds (ducks and chickens). They also eat earthworms which carry ringworms or roundworms as parasites, not sure which. So I'm sure they must be exposed to the risk of worms.

I use Verm X which is a natural wormer, just add it to their feed for a few days at a time once every couple of months. I don't remember to do it strictly, just when I think to do it. They also have apple cider vinegar and garlic periodically, which aids digestion generally. There is no egg withdrawal with Verm X and it is all natural. http://www.verm-x.com/. I also add diatoms to their feed once a month or so. I prefer natural remedies where possible.

I have never ever had a problem with worms, or even ever seen any - it is just preventative and seems to be successful. Come to think of it, I have never had any red mites either (touch wood) so the diatom stuff is fab and all-purpose!

I have also read somewhere about pumpkin or pumpkin seeds being a natural wormer or have I got that mixed up with something else? I've never tried that.

 

[KingJamesIV]

Quote:
If you use diatomaceous earth, make sure it is food grade. Some is some isn't. Really the only difference is that the food grade kind is ground into a finer powder. It kinda looks like flower. ( I wouldn't try making bread from it though). We use it in our chicken coop and give it to our dog. Max (dog) gets interceptor as well, but it can't really hurt. The birds get red pepper flakes and food grade diatomaceous earth in there feed. We eat the eggs so we try not to give them any non-natural stuff. Good luck.

 

[Alicia G]

I use cider vinager in the water and dried,minced garlic in the food for a week every 2 to 3 months and they love it!Ive never had a parisite issue once because of it.

 

[jkie]

This is Jkie .. How do you know the ducks have have worms? I thought I saw one in fesces in their water pool. Was I just being cautious ... can they show up? I have Mallard Rouen and have never wormed them. You are so helpful here.

 

[casportpony]

This is Jkie .. How do you know the ducks have have worms? I thought I saw one in fesces in their water pool. Was I just being cautious ... can they show up? I have Mallard Rouen and have never wormed them. You are so helpful here.

Yes, worms can just show up. If you saw a worm in the pool it was probably a large roundworm.

The best thing to do would be to collect a bunch of fresh poop from your ducks, stick it in a plastic baggie, stir well, take to get and have the test it (fecal float).

If you want to just de-worm them, you can do that too. Let us know where you live and we can suggest some de-wormers.