Unfortunately, worms are part of chicken ownership. Simply put, chickens catch worms from something they have eaten. Whether it is contaminated feces from another hook or bird, or an insect that carries eggs.
Prevention is definitely easier than cure, worms rob the chicks of nutrients and cause your girls serious discomfort. If you notice that your chickens are showing any of the symptoms below, it may be worth checking your dewormer.
Lack of weight/poor weight gain, increased feed consumption, pale plum colour, diarrhea and in severe cases anemia (pale comb and scales) and mortality. In the case of yawworm, chickens will gasp or 'yawn' by stretching their necks. You may also see the worms in their poop, so take a look at that!
There are a number of different types of worms. Here are some common species known to affect poultry:
- Roundworm - can be found in the esophagus, intestines, stomach and crop.
- Roundworm - affects the digestive system.
- Hookworm – attacks the trachea and lungs.
- Caecal worm - causes blackworm organisms to appear - especially potent for turkeys.
Deworming your chickens is usually a very simple process. I like to deworm my birds once a season. So at the change of each season I deworm. I think this is the easiest way to remember! I also use natural remedies all year round to keep the pesky little (or sometimes big) things at bay.
Also keep in mind that chicks left outside can come into contact with worms and will also need to be treated (usually around six weeks of age).
There are many different brands of chicken/poultry or bird worm solutions on the market.
They are simply available in tablet or liquid form. We have both in stock and you will find the links to them below.
If you have a small flock and are comfortable using tablets (you may need to place the tablet in the chook's mouth) then these are the right choice. You have complete control over how little or how much each bird gets. Just follow the directions on the package for how many tablets each bird needs. A good tip is to put the tablets in a corn kernel or blueberry. You can be sure the chocolates will gobble them up with pleasure!
If you have a larger flock, or find life a little easier, you can use the liquid dewormer. I suggest using a separate water container for the worm solution. You will need to make this from a concentrate and it is much easier if you have a small one or two liter can. Remove all other sources of water from your farm during the 24 hours that you are deworming the chickens. If they are very picky, a little sweetener, such as molasses, can attract them to the worm water. The downside to this process is that you really don't know exactly how much or how little each chicken gets. But still, they will probably receive enough, or at least better than nothing at all! You can even soak half a piece of bread at the recommended dose and feed each hook separately.
If you're looking for a natural solution, why not try some of the options below? These can be used alone or in combination with an over-the-counter dewormer.
Diatomaceous earth is often added to chicken feed because it acts as a natural dewormer. It works by drying out the parasites and worms that occur internally. As for its effectiveness, the jury still seems to be out on whether it will definitely kill all parasites, but feeding diatomaceous earth to your chickens is actually great because it gives them extra trace minerals – useful anyway. I also sprinkle this liberally throughout my nest boxes to repel external parasites such as mites and lice!
Apple cider vinegar acts as a mild antiseptic and also as a mild antibiotic. So it kills certain germs and bacteria and prevents worms from nesting in your chickens. Although it is not a 100% guaranteed treatment, it is definitely worth a try!
Garlic is another natural food known to keep worms at bay and make the inside of your chicken a less attractive place for parasites to take up residence. Adding some ground garlic to your chickens' food is a great way to get your chickens to eat it. Garlic also helps the chickens' respiratory tract and strengthens their immune system.
If you notice or suspect that you are already having an attack, repeat the dosage over the next few weeks. The first dose of dewormer kills the hatched/active worms in your chicken, but not the eggs. Therefore, you should also remember to give a second dose 10-14 days after the first dose, to kill the new baby worms.
Whether you opt for a natural or medicinal product, deworming your chickens is an important and necessary part of being a chicken owner.
Diatoméjord
apple cider vinegar
Kilverm Liquid Wormer
Avitrol Plus Wormertablet
Deworming kit
