Yes there is a safe wormer!

[mypicklebird]

Tapeworms you can see on the feces- they look like cous cous on the outside of the feces. They look very similar to cat/dog tapeworms, and also move a bit in fresh feces. Round worms are large and can also be seen if they die and pass out in the feces- excuse the food analogies but they look like pieces of vermicelli or angel hair pasta. 1"-2" long. You will rarely see the round worm adults in the feces. Unless you just dewormed and they are passing out.

Vet labs can run a fecal sample microscopically and ID the parasite eggs (tapes, rounds, and other worm types). Protozoal organisms like coccidia will also show up in the microscopic exam.

Chickens who are allowed access to dirt and bugs, or are housed where other poultry have been will always accumulate GI parasites with time. They can cope with moderate numbers, but when ill- they can get overwhelmed. If you ever do a home necropsy on a deceased bird, you will often find surprising numbers of visible to the eye worms ect, especially if the birds are not routinely dewormed every year.

So in answer to the question 'how do you know' is they probably do right now, but in small numbers are not likely causing the bird much harm. If you want to deworm, or find out via testing that they do have worms- you then have the can of worms- to treat or not to treat, and go read the recent posts on drug residues....
jess

 

[Kathy1]

How exactly do they get worms from free ranging? I have 2 that I let range for a few houre a day and they love it and love the grass, I would hate to have them not be able too do that. But not wanted to have them get worms.yuck!

 

[Jolyn]

I want to bump this back up to get more info.

So should we worm our chickens once a year regardless if we see evidence that they have worms?

My birds run is dirt. Should i worry? I was thinking that since they don't free range that it would be less likely that they would get parasites....however now i don't know.

 

[sammi]

worms are just in the environment..in bugs, in plants, earthworms, etc..

I think dlh was referring to the previous poster who mentioned VermX...available in the UK..
not always a reliable wormer.

when they have worms :
sometimes the droppings will change..might change color or be foamy..
they eat well, but seem thin.
less egg production
if badly infested...they can "lose their legs"..and seem unable to walk, or weak.
sometimes have a lack of appetite.
sometimes worms can cause bloody droppings.


a fecal check as suggested by "mypicklebird" is always a good idea to show what kinds of worms they have, or cocci.
different worms, cocci..different treatment.

 

[CD Farm]

We got Verm-X for our birds and it definitely helped. We let our birds graze in the forest and they sleep in a movable tractor at night. We had noticed the egg production was dropping and their plumage was getting dingy looking. Then we discovered round worms in some of the loose stools. We went to all the farm supply stores in the area and could not find anything that was not labeled "Not for use in chickens producing eggs for human consumption" searched and found the www.vermx-usa.com website ordered and have had good results. Our birds look healthier and their egg production increased all while we continued to eat the eggs - we are very happy with the results.

 

[Cetawin]

So would it be prudent, if our girls have a dirt run with free range time, to just say worm them with a broad spectrum wormer and toss the eggs for a couple of weeks?

If it is a once per year precaution, why not? I have been trying to find a good wormer here like Valbazen, to worm the girls while they are slowing in laying and be done with it for the year.

 

[PQ]

We use ivermec once every 2 months. (pour on) we still eat the eggs.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Quote:
that is what I do (two to three times a year) using an ivermectin/eprinex type wormer alternately with a valbazon type (I live in europe and though I know the class it is sometimes not clear the exact USA equivalent)... if it is a chicken and has access to the ground then worms are unavoidable.

 

[Cetawin]

The problem I am having... finding ivermectin that I can pour on or something soluable.

I am not going to attempt giving my girls injections and that is all I can find around here.

I am going to keep looking or pay someone here to get it for me. LOL

 

[PQ]

Quote:
Ivermec pour on is at feed stores. Blue liquid. PM me I will send you some if you want to try.