Chickens are prone to contracting parasitic worms, such as syngamus, nematodes, and tapeworms. While not all worm species are harmful, some can cause weight loss, poor egg production, and even death. There are several ways to treat chickens from worms, including natural diatomaceous earth and deworming medications. Keep reading.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Natural Treatments
Step 1. Check the droppings for signs of worms
Many types appear in the stool; others cause very dirty eggs to be produced.
If only some of your chickens appear to have worms, it is still likely that they will all soon be infected, so it is a good idea to treat the whole farm
Step 2. Send the feces to a vet if the chickens are losing weight or you notice that they have other problems, even though there are no signs of worms in the droppings
They may have large internal parasites that do not pass through the stool.
Step 3. Purchase a pack of diatomaceous earth
It is sold as a fine white powder in most farm food stores and online.
Step 4. Add 35 g of diatomaceous earth for every kg of feed
Mix thoroughly. Feed your chickens as you normally would.
Diatomaceous earth is a safe food for pets. However, humans shouldn't breathe the dust
Step 5. Repeat this for 4-5 days to create an unfavorable environment for parasitic worms
You can follow this procedure for one day every 3-4 months as a preventative measure.
Step 6. Treat the worms with medications prescribed by your vet if the chickens do not get rid of the parasites in a week
Diatomaceous earth does not effectively treat all infestations.
Method 2 of 3: Medication Treatments
Step 1. Collect some samples of the droppings and send them to the vet to check for worms
He should be able to tell you the type of worms and point you to the best medication for effective treatment.
Step 2. Get a prescription for Flubenvet, Solubenol, Ivermectin or another similar treatment
Buy enough for your chickens; you can find them online or through your vet. In some countries there is no need for a prescription to obtain Flubenvet at 1%.
Step 3. Administer the drug
Mix Flubenvet in your chickens' food. About 60 g is enough to treat 20 chickens. Administer Solubenol by mixing it with the water for the chickens. Apply other types of prescribed wormers directly to the skin or beak of the animals.
Step 4. Treat the chickens every 3 weeks if the worms recur
Many people put treatment in place every 6 months to prevent or treat worms at the beginning and end of the warmer months.
Step 5. Move where the coop is and handle it another way if you find worms are a common problem
You can avoid worms by making the habitat less hospitable for bacteria and parasites.
Step 6. Do not eat the eggs for 7-14 days, depending on the type of medication you have administered
If you have treated the chickens with Flubenvet 1% or with diatomaceous earth it is not necessary to throw the eggs during the treatment.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Worms
Step 1. Do not leave your chickens free on the bare ground for more than 1-2 days
In this way it becomes saturated with bacteria and parasites, creating a fertile ground for worms.
Step 2. Use a portable chicken coop to move it to grassy areas or areas that can be disinfected
Don't leave the chickens on the concrete.
Step 3. Use a pet-safe disinfectant in wood or non-grass areas
You can find them at agricultural supply stores.
Step 4. Keep the grass cut
Direct sunlight kills the worm eggs.
Step 5. Add a couple of crushed garlic cloves or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the chicken water
This will increase the acidity of the chicken, making the intestines of chickens less welcoming to bacteria.
