Worming question

[coolcanoechic]

I have 5 pullets at 14 weeks old. At what age is it safe to worm them? I could not find any answers in the ''Learning Center"

They do not show any signs of worms yet, but they free range and I want to be prepared for when it is needed. The last time I wormed chickens, it was 2 adults I aquired from a breeder. I obtained worming meds from the vet and gave it to them with an eye dropper. Now I have 5 pullets and an eye dropper would be difficult to use as they really don't have any waddles to pull down to open their mouths yet. Can they be wormed with a medacine in their water? Or are there too few birds to do that? Are they too young?

This question has been on my mind for a while, so I figured I would ask to see what others do.
Thanks.

My chickies

 

[CMV]

I wouldn't worry about worming until fall. We don't have the same issues with worms as folks south of us do. I do a once a year de-worming in the fall to make sure the birds go into winter as healthy as can be. By fall they should be at an age where they are old enough to be wormed anyways. (I think the recommended age is 16 weeks, but don't hold me to that.) You can use any one of a number of products, but the recommendation is to use Valbazen. It can be given directly to each bird or added to water. I don't use that particular product so I can't really get into specifics, but if you look in the archives there is a great deal of info on it.

Good luck.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The only thing I'll add is that you should not use fenbendazole if they are molting. It can cause their feathers to grow back funny.

 

[coolcanoechic]

Thanks so much! Where do I get it? Tractor Supply?

 

[dawg53]

Thanks so much! Where do I get it? Tractor Supply?

TSC normally carries safeguard liquid goat wormer (fenbendazole.)