How to deworm a flock of chickens?

[ThePhoebeFive]

I am the opposite. I wanted to individually dose each of my 30 odd chickens, cause I wanted to be sure they were getting the correct amount in the shortest time possible and I didn't want to have to confine them for a whole day, they love their free time.
I found a really effect method, for me, was to (one at a time) measure out their dose and soak some bits of bread in it then leave them in a dog crate with the bread while I measured and prepared the dose for the next one. A couple didn't like the taste but I just had to place the bread in their beak and they would swallow it.
Mine are actually due for the second treatment today... it'll still take me a couple hours but it'll be the last one for awhile.

We've had chickens for going on 15 years now and never dewormed. However we've had a number of worm issues with the goats recently, so I decided just to deworm the chickens to be on the safe side. I'm not super concerned with being exact, but if I end up deworming again, or doing so regularly I will definitely try that.

Edit: One problem is trying to catch them all. That would take a lot of time because my birds aren't the best with people. I wish they were, but I haven't had much time to be with them.

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

We've had chickens for going on 15 years now and never dewormed. However we've had a number of worm issues with the goats recently, so I decided just to deworm the chickens to be on the safe side. I'm not super concerned with being exact, but if I end up deworming again, or doing so regularly I will definitely try that.

I've never dewormed either, but I found a round worm a couple weeks back. So they're all getting treated and I'll probably get a fecal done to check that it's under control.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

You can't put it in their water as you can't control the dose that way. You can take them off the roost at night and dose them.

This worked perfect for me - my husband took them off the roost, I put the medicine down the side of their throat, and… NEXT

Easy peasy.

 

[MaeM]

I've treated my chickens with both methods and I've found that giving individual doses is best.

I know it can be inconvenient if you have many chickens and/or they're hard to catch, but by giving them the meds with a syringe, you make sure that each bird is having the amount of medicine they need to eliminate all the worms at once.

If one worm or worm egg survives the treatment, you'll have to start over, and then it'll be even more inconvenient. By pouring meds in their water, you risk this because you don't know how much water the birds drink, or even worse - some birds realize that there's something in their water and refuse to drink at all unless they're dying of thirst.

I've had this happen with a rooster. Now he won't drink from his waterer. He free ranges so he tries to drink from the dog's waterer as much as he can.

 

[Sussex19]

If one worm or worm egg survives the treatment, you'll have to start over, and then it'll be even more inconvenient.

I just want to point out that even if the medication is 100% effective, and kills every single worm and egg in the bird, there will always be thousands of eggs already in the environment.
So total eradication is almost impossible for the average chicken keeper.
Other than that, I don't have much to add, other than I only de-worm when I know there is a problem, and then only de-worm the chickens which are showing symptoms. I want my chickens to be as resistant to worms as possible, so will tolerate low levels of infestation.
I don't know if you can get it where you live, but this is one product sold for adding to water. I used it once, and it didn't seem the most effective, but other people have used it with good results.
https://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/products/kilverm-pig-and-poultry-wormer?variant=11512140005412

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

Just want to confirm: there is no withdrawal time for Fenbendazole? Is there a chance of finding worms or worm eggs in the chicken eggs?!

 

[casportpony]

Just want to confirm: there is no withdrawal time for Fenbendazole? Is there a chance of finding worms or worm eggs in the chicken eggs?!

It depends on how much you give. How much are you planning to give them?

 

[casportpony]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/worming-with-fenbendazole-how-much.395331/

Here is another thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-is-the-dosage-for-fenbendazole.288246/

There is some good information in those threads, but there is a lot of dosing misinformation, too.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

It depends on how much you give. How much are you planning to give them?

Okay, I have not looked at dosage, yet, but I will later today and get back with you. Thanks!

 

[casportpony]

I just want to point out that even if the medication is 100% effective, and kills every single worm and egg in the bird, there will always be thousands of eggs already in the environment.
So total eradication is almost impossible for the average chicken keeper.
Other than that, I don't have much to add, other than I only de-worm when I know there is a problem, and then only de-worm the chickens which are showing symptoms. I want my chickens to be as resistant to worms as possible, so will tolerate low levels of infestation.
I don't know if you can get it where you live, but this is one product sold for adding to water. I used it once, and it didn't seem the most effective, but other people have used it with good results.
https://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/products/kilverm-pig-and-poultry-wormer?variant=11512140005412

Here we have:
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=2e3dc436-538d-4433-969f-ab61b596837c