Deworming large free-range semi-feral flock

[GiantChickensRock]

Hello all! First time poster, long time lurker. I have a flock of about 60 free-range chickens and I've noticed a few of them with some symptoms of worms, and also have noticed worms after a heavy rain washed away the poop they were hiding in. Folks with larger flocks, what method do you recommend for deworming when you are unable to handle each chicken individually? I am specifically looking for a hands-off approach. Thanks all!

 

[Yardmom]

Where do your birds roost at night? Is it where you can reach them?

 

[GiantChickensRock]

Where do your birds roost at night? Is it where you can reach them?

They roost in my barn. I could potentially grab exactly one and the rest would scatter and then avoid me for a few days. I am specifically looking for a hands-off deworming strategy.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They would scatter even in the dark? How about if you used a red head lamp? We've found that ours do not move much in red light because they can't see well enough to do so. Although admittedly ours are not quite so feral. But we only handle them at night bc otherwise we would have the same issues you describe. They are not pets! We have about 30 now.

 

[GiantChickensRock]

I have solar lights in the barn so it's never super dark. So far what I'm hearing is that my ONLY option is to dose them individually?? What do the large scale commercial places do, I wonder?

 

[LaFleche]

I have solar lights in the barn so it's never super dark. So far what I'm hearing is that my ONLY option is to dose them individually?? What do the large scale commercial places do, I wonder?

Are you in Europe or living in the U.S?

Living in Europe you could get Flubenole 5% and treat as follows:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/neverending-tapework-saga.1599994/post-27211566

 

[GiantChickensRock]

Are you in Europe or living in the U.S?

Living in Europe you could get Flubenole 5% and treat as follows:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/neverending-tapework-saga.1599994/post-27211566

Alas, I am in Wisconsin, USA. I did spot that stuff in my online research and it is not available here.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Are you in Europe or living in the U.S?

Living in Europe you could get Flubenole 5% and treat as follows:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/neverending-tapework-saga.1599994/post-27211566

Will this treat roundworms as well?

 

[nuthatched]

I have solar lights in the barn so it's never super dark. So far what I'm hearing is that my ONLY option is to dose them individually?? What do the large scale commercial places do, I wonder?

Those birds never go out side.

 

[Penpal]

Bring a fecal sample to your vet to find out what they have.

Also, if you saw worms in a pile of manure, it could be insect larvae, not parasites from your chickens.