Worming

[Sipplchicks]

Was reading about worming I have been adding that diotonatious earth heard it was good for them ? Also heard that pumpkin seeds are a natural worker is this true?

 

[Pyxis]

Diatomaceous earth does not work as a wormer, no. And pumpkin can work as a wormer and has some effect on large worms like roundworms, but it needs to be followed up with a molasses flush and doesn't affect smaller worm species like capillary worms.

If you want to worm your birds effectively, you'll need to use a real wormer like Safeguard or Valbazen.

 

[lazy gardener]

Most reports are that DE is useless as a wormer or even to treat external parasites. However, it is useful as a feed additive to keep pesty insects from invading your feed bags/barrels. It is also helpful in the garden to kill insects but must be added after every rain or heavy dew. It also can be helpful as a nutritional supplement. Most folks choose not to use it b/c it can cause damage to delicate lung tissue.

Pumpkin seeds: depends on who you ask. There are varied studies that will say the active ingredient in pumpkin seeds is an effective treatment for worms, and other studies that claim otherwise. When reading a study, pay very close attention to who did the study, or paid for it? If the study is associated with the Pharmaceutical industry, that begs the question: do they benefit from debunking a natural treatment that is readily available to anyone?

My take on worms in general, and natural helminthicides in particular:

Worms happen. I have no doubt that even you and I have a few creepy crawlies moving around in our guts. But, a few helminths are not cause to treat. It is only when the load becomes clinically significant that treatment is appropriate. By treating often, when treatment is not warranted, any surviving helminths can become resistant to the medication.

It's often said that 10% of the animals in a flock or herd carry 90% of the parasite load. So, one effective method of controlling parasites and disease on your property is by culling the weakest members on a regular basis. By doing so, you are removing the disease vectors. The remaining strong flock/herd members will continue to breed strength and disease/parasite resistance into your flock/herd. This is one of the most important tools of good animal husbandry.

Natural helminthicides: IMO, there are many natural treatments available. Given access to good free range (range which includes lots of weedy, shrubby, grassy, and woody areas) a flock will find plenty of self treatment herbs/plants. Pumpkin seeds, perhaps even the fruit it'self. Tough sharp blades of grass. Even rhubarb leaves. I've watched my flock make a bee line to the rhubarb leaves in the fall. We all know that rhubarb leaves are poisonous, yeah??? Well, my flock skeletonize those leaves every fall, in spite of the fact that they have several acres of varied free range with plenty of variety. I've also stood and watched my birds eating those tough blades of witch grass, while they step over tender new shoots of regular grass to get to them. Ever seen a cat or dog do the same thing? IMO, they are self medicating. Garlic? Garlic is reported to be a natural helminthicide. Ginger? Ditto. Hot peppers? Ditto.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Never treat an animal for worms unless a fecal float test indicates that there is a problem that needs treatment.

I have never seen any sign of helminths in my flock. (with the exception of a flock which was a bunch of culls given to me by a friend 40 years ago.)

 

[Folly's place]

Some flocks have more issues with internal parasites than others, depending on their environment, usually. And their basic management/ diet/ overall health, so there's no one answer.
Having fecals done through the veterinarian is the best way to know if any worming is going to be useful. Do that occasionally, or if you think there's a problem.
There's nearly nothing useful and approved for use in chickens in the USA, all the more reason to plan any worming events VERY carefully!
After over two years of no worming in my flock, recent fecals were negative here!
Mary