Worms? Or something else?

[Feath3rDust3r]

I have a few young roosters about 14 weeks old who have very pale combs and legs. They are very skinny but seem to eat well. They seem a little lethargic maybe but not terribly noticeable. I have also noticed that their butts are a little messy, not terrible but just not very clean. They don't seem to have any mites or bugs on them.

They do free range everyday and they also eat chick food and some corn.

Does this sound like it might be a worm issue or something else? If it's likely to be worms should I deworm the whole flock and what should I use and how should I do it?

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Like 6 drops of safe guard goat dewormer and 3 drops of ivermectin sheep drench is what I do. Give them some corid just in case.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are they being chased away from food and water? Having too many cockerels at that age can create havoc in a flock, especially if you have an older rooster. Having multiple small water and feed locations can help to assure that everyone gets a chance to eat and drink.

It does not hurt to worm your chickens once in awhile, especially during warm weather. Valbazen is good and SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer is also good. It is good to know a weight, since those are given by the pound. Let us know if you need dosage. If you have a local vet who would do a fecal float on some combined droppings collected in a ziploc bag, you could rule out worms and coccidiosis, or find out what kinds of worms. Clean up any messy vents, since flies can lay maggot larvae and cause flystrike in hot weather.

Heat in summer, and not enough shade or ventilation can be a problem. Fans drawing air through and out of the coop can be helpful, and having secured windows is good. Corn is not a complete diet, so I would make sure they get the chick grower for 90% of their diet. If treats are given, stick to scrambled egg, a few sunflower kernels, or a few mealworms.

 

[Lumley Farm]

I read a thread about fermented feed and my girls love it. I have one that I 'rescued' from a meat farm and she had really bad wet butt. I actually pluck the feather off because the poop was staying on her. The fermented food and free range has improved her life for the better. Look on Articles for the fermented feed. I have a bucket that I put layer crumbles in and use Cardinal feed for the bulger and sunflower seeds. There is a bonus too, besides the awful smell, you get super worm maggots!!! BONUS!!!!!

 

[Lumley Farm]

Are they being chased away from food and water? Having too many cockerels at that age can create havoc in a flock, especially if you have an older rooster. Having multiple small water and feed locations can help to assure that everyone gets a chance to eat and drink.

It does not hurt to worm your chickens once in awhile, especially during warm weather. Valbazen is good and SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer is also good. It is good to know a weight, since those are given by the pound. Let us know if you need dosage. If you have a local vet who would do a fecal float on some combined droppings collected in a ziploc bag, you could rule out worms and coccidiosis, or find out what kinds of worms. Clean up any messy vents, since flies can lay maggot larvae and cause flystrike in hot weather.

Heat in summer, and not enough shade or ventilation can be a problem. Fans drawing air through and out of the coop can be helpful, and having secured windows is good. Corn is not a complete diet, so I would make sure they get the chick grower for 90% of their diet. If treats are given, stick to scrambled egg, a few sunflower kernels, or a few mealworms.

I buy a commercial half dozen eggs and boil them, then have a good time squishing them for bonus food and calcium.