Worm identification and treatment are a must since they can compromise the immune system, damage the gut lining, and reduce the ability of your chickens to get vital nutrients. If your chickens have worms overload, they will produce low-quality eggs and suffer from a weight reduction.
Avoid worming your chickens with artificial solutions when unnecessary since it may encourage drug resistance and reduce the quality of egg and meat production. Frequent use of wormers may also diminish the immune system of your birds and make them reliant on the products.
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How to worm chickens naturally
You should naturally worm your chickens after every 6 months. However, this depends on their environment plus what they eat. Here is how to naturally worm your chickens at home:
1. Garlic
According to studies, garlic can deter the occurrence of worms in the internals of your feathery friends. Garlic can boost the respiratory and immune systems of your poultry.
Add garlic or crushed cloves to your chicken feed and water for bathing and drinking.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Acting as a mild antiseptic and antibiotic, the natural solution can eliminate some types of germs and bacteria that cause worm infestation in and on chickens. It is also sure that it will keep worms from multiplying in chickens.
If you want to worm your chickens naturally, add 5 ml of apple cider vinegar to 500 ml of their drinking water. It is also rich in minerals and vitamins necessary for proper and healthy meat and egg production.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
This natural dewormer is commonly added to poultry feed because it dehydrates internal parasites. The natural remedy, packed with calcium, may also help enrich chicken eggs with trace minerals.
Add 2-3 Tablespoons of this natural wormer to every pound of chicken feed routinely.
Apart from the above natural and safe remedies for worming chickens, some chicken keepers claim that pumpkin seeds can also be a great remedy. However, no scientific proof supports the claim that cucurbitacin, an essential ingredient packed in pumpkin seeds, can deworm chickens.
For instance, whether a specific or all species and cultivars of pumpkins deliver the natural deworming effect is unclear.
If you are searching for the right method of worming your chicken, find and use the best poultry wormer. The worm should be applied every 2-3 months to prevent worm attacks. Eliminating worms is a lot harder than stopping their attack on and in chickens.
When should I worm my chickens?
Your chickens should be wormed when you recognize signs of worms, like lots of nasty eggs. Still, you can worm your chickens when there is not a lot of poop on the eggs, particularly during the summer.
Worm your chickens for a few months over the winter period. During the colder season, there is a lot of accumulation of worms in the system of your poultry that needs elimination.
Besides worming chickens, thoroughly clean the coop and nesting boxes and supply fresh water and nutrient-rich feed.
Moreover, look for potential signs and symptoms of worms in chickens to allow early treatment.
Signs of worms in chickens
Some of the common symptoms of a chicken dealing with worm infestation are greenish excrement and pale combs. Signs of worms in chickens may include:
- Weight loss or poor gain of weight
- More feed consumption.
- Gasping for breath
- Diarrhea
- Pale yolk color
- Pale comb and wattles
- Blocked/runny nose
- Bubbly eye
- Reduction in normal activity
- Lethargy
- Stretching and shaking of the head
- Smaller or fewer eggs
Excessive worms in chickens may be caused by introduction to a new environment and of new chickens into an existing flock and sudden or extreme weather fluctuations.
Do I need to worm chickens?
Worm chickens at least twice a year. Chickens are prone to worm attacks, like hairworm, tapeworm, gizzard worms, and caecal worms.
Only treat your birds once they have been tested and found to possess worms. Your vet should do the testing and involve a fecal sample taken a few times yearly.
One of the main advantages of worming chickens is you will have healthier feathered friends because of a lack of stress and a strengthened immune system. A happy flock delivers high-quality meat and eggs. As healthy birds mature, they can also build a strong immune resistance against internal organisms and parasites.
Furthermore, since chickens with worms tend to eat excessively, worming can help reduce the feed expense. Worming chickens can also help boost their ability to absorb nutrients and increase egg yield.
As long as chickens are wormed and do not experience worm overload, they will not be prone to diseases, infections, and death.
Can you eat eggs from a chicken with worms?
You can eat eggs from poultry with worms. You cannot get worms from your chicken eggs. When you have wormed your feathery friends, adhere to the recommended egg withdrawal period from your vet or the label of chemical wormers.
Also, wash the eggs collected before cooking them. Only wash your eggs with water of a minimum of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. That water temperature enables expansion of the egg contents, which pushes dirt away from the shell’s pores.
And remember to wash your hands after collecting eggs from chicken with worms overload.
Flock management measures
Great flock management measures may include:
- Cleaning the chicken environment and equipment regularly.
- Use high-quality feed that is excellent for your flock.
- Supplying appropriate shelter against predators, like coyotes and raccoons, and natural elements, such as wind and rain.
- Only keep chicken breeds that are suited to live in your area.
- Keep the grass surrounding your chicken coop short.
- Provide the right temperature.
- Replace the substrate when it gets dirty.
- Provide dry bedding.
- Use disinfectants for cleaning the chicken coop. That may help eliminate worm eggs and larvae.
In conclusion, before using any chemical wormers for your flock, consult your local vet, a popular feed supplier, or an accomplished chicken keeper. And ensure you carefully follow the directions of use from the maker of the worming product. Excessive treatment of worms will kill your chickens.
