Worms? *poop pics*

I do not mean to start a "my wormer is better than your wormer" war, just a honest question here.

If it has been documented that intestinal parasites are becoming resistant to dewormers, why would everyone immediately use Valbazen (albendazole) for a potential one or two parasite infestation since broad ranged use of that will eventually result in albendazole no longer working like it currently does? Doesn't it make a bit more sense to find out what type of worms one is trying to get rid of and getting something that has a more specific target?

To me, grabbing albendazole as the first choice is a lot like using three sticks of dynamite to dig a hole that four scoops of a shovel could have done. There is the potential for extreme overkill here and faster parasite resistance buildup. Just something to ponder over.
 
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I understand what you're stating and you're correct. That's why ivermectin is almost useless as a wormer in chickens. Most people want to use it for mite control. I highly recommend rotating wormers between valbazen, safeguard, sometimes zimectrin gold, other equine wormers also. The thing is, it's cheaper to buy safeguard equine paste (about $10) and worm your birds rather than take a sample to a vet that cost $20 or more to look under a microscope (not including gas.) Vets here where I live charge $85 and up just to walk in the door and goes up from there. Also, some refuse chicken poop samples OR want to see the bird before they check the fecal samples. Speaking of fenbendazole, most tapes that chickens get are resistant to it and nowhere have I seen that fenbendazole kills flukes in chickens. My belief is simple...if a chicken is wormy...hit them hard, do it right the first time and get rid of them. Worms weaken the chickens immune system, opening the door for respiratory diseases, bacterial infections, and fungal infections to easily take their system over. I also recommend hitting respiratory problems hard and fast as well, or cull.
 
I wholeheartedly agree on hitting any sign of a respiratory problem hard and fast, especially where birds are concerned and not just chickens. Coming from a rural area, I have a tendency to forget that not everyone has the handy-dandy all-around vet near. Mine will do fecal samples for $15, doesn't matter if it's bird, dog, or llama. I've been tempted to get some elephant poop from the zoo nearby and see if a cartload of that still gets the same price but I'm afraid my vet may decide I need to haul it back home
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My thoughts on worming any animal (humans included) is start working on the most common suspect, in this case round or hook and then move off onto the rest. Those are the two that are most common for my area and Wazine, despite the lack of information on the label or web does hit hookworms as well. The tapes most frequently seen here are still susceptible to ivermectin and fenbendazole (Safeguard) so that becomes the second choice. Even without going to a vet, one can do a little research and find out what appears most frequently in the area and work from that. Saves on having to get something three, four, or 10 times more expensive down the road when Valbazen quits working. Even worse if the next med comes around and is toxic to not only the parasites but the chickens too.
 
Here we go!! I guess the best thing to do is find out what worm your bird has & then give it the right medicine. Thats what I'm gonna do if my birds ever get worms this is getting crazy. I'll wind up with to many wormers that don't work.
 
I may have to try something besides Valbazen right now & order some online to have on hand in case it's needed again because I called TSC, my local feed store, my local co-op (not so local as it's in the next county but not too awful far), 3 vets & none carried it. I did check at one more local feed store & they had it, but it was....get this.....

$58 for a PINT!!!
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I forgot that there is a Southern States fairly close (in the same county as the co-op). I looked at their website & the smallest container I see of it is 1L size & it's $64.99!! But it says "available in-store only". I wonder if they would have a smaller size in store. I don't need much; I have a small flock.

Let's see....I have 8 grown chickens @ 1/2 cc each = 4 cc x 2 for 2nd treatment in 10 days = 8 cc
4 19-week olds ( not sure if that age needs full 1/2 cc dose or 1/4 cc dose?) so if full 1/2 cc dose =2 cc so 4 cc in all for 2nd dose
10 9-week olds (do I even worm them?) @ 1/4 cc dose = 2 1/2 cc so 5 cc in all for 2nd dose

For a total of 17cc, which is what...a little over 3 tsp.? I don't need a huge Liter bottle of it or even a pint for that little amount!

Am I even calculating this right?

Should I just go with the Safeguard horse paste this time around that I can get at TSC?

Also, should I also treat with antibiotics afterwards just as a precaution? I'm just thinking with the cold weather & all that's a lot of times when respiratory issues come up with dampness, ventilation issues, condensation or whatever. I do have an old hen that I have heard breathing a little different the past few days.

Thanks!
 
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Looks like even at Jefferslivestock.com the smallest bottle is 500ml for $37.99.

If I just knew someone local that might have some, maybe I could buy a small amount from them....hmmm....thinking...
 
In this situation, if you can't get a fecal analysis done, grab the Safeguard and give it a whirl. It may not catch everything but at least it'll get some. Then when you get a chance, try to get some valbazen. If I had some handy, I'd ship ya some for the cost of the shipping but all I got is Wazine, Strongid T, Ivermectin, and SafeGuard here in the house. Won't see the vet again until right before Turkey Day and I'll check with him on a price for a bottle and see how small a bottle of Valbazen he can get.

Hmmm, interesting idea I just had. If a bunch of small flock owners got together in one area, they could pitch in and get some of the medications and such that are used for chickens that are pricy for just one person. Make a community medicine cabinet of sorts.
 
I will try the safeguard. Surely it will help get rid of some. I will, in the meantime be ordering the Valbazen. I may check around at vets or something & see if they can order it in smaller containers.

That would be AWESOME about a member medicine cabinet for people to get together about when small amount of medications are needed. An idea there! Something to think about lol.

Thanks!
 
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If anyone happens to have any Valbazen they would be willing to sell me in a smaller quantity, it would be greatly appreciated!

Do the 19 week olds need full 1/2 cc dose or the 1/4 cc dose?

Do I need to also treeat the 9 week olds? They don't sleep with the grown ones yet, but do run around the same yard & eat out of same feeder some. The 9 week olds get 1/4 cc, right?
 

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