Molasses flush expelling worms???

[Jnel88]

Hey everyone, I’m wondering about an ill hen I have. She is currently in the sick pen in my laundry room and at first I thought she might of had botulism, but I guess it could possibly be Merricks disease or just parasites or potentially a couple things.... Any way I gave her a molasses flush the first day (Saturday I think) and she had a slightly runny poo loaded with round worms. So the next day I gave her a pea sized dose of safeguard (febentazole, I know I spelled that wrong) and then she had diarrhea and maybe a couple worms came out, which I was expecting to see more. Earlier today I gave her another mild molasses flush and her poops are back to normal but loaded with worms that are still alive. Like trying to crawl out of the poop alive then dying when they got too cold?Sooo gross. I should have taken a picture tho.

I’m wondering has any one else dealt with something similar? Did I under dose her with wormer? I am so grossed out and I feel horrible for her. I have wazine (I’m sure I spelled that wrong too but the wormer you put in the water) for the rest of the flock but I haven’t treated them yet. Working on it tomorrow for sure.

Some stats on the hen: She’s about a year old, her appetite is great, she’s very attentive just very weak and underweight which I really didn’t notice until I picked her up. Her comb did have a slight hint of purple discoloration I noticed yesterday which I did read about being a sign of Merricks. Her paralysis started suddenly, in her wings Saturday morning then she laid down later that day and hasn’t been able to stand at all since.

Taking her to the vet is not really an option, and I don’t want her to suffer longer than necessary if she isn’t going to go uphill in the next week or so. Any input is appreciated, I feel like I’m doing this worming thing wrong or something, if they are coming out still alive.

 

[dawg53]

When worms are excreted in feces, they die. Worms cannot survive outside their host.
I doubt you're dealing with Marek's disease. It's the heavy worm load causing the symptoms you're seeing in your hen.
I recommend that you worm all your birds as soon as possible. There's no doubt in my mind that worm eggs are on your soil and have been picked up by your other birds.

You might consider using Safeguard liquid goat wormer rather than the paste. It is more effective in gut coverage and easily absorbed rather than the paste. Worm all your birds 3 days in a row with the liquid goat wormer. Worm them first thing in the morning before they eat is the best time to worm them. They will have empty crop, gizzard and digestive tract making the wormer more effective in killing the worms. Besides, they'll be inside the coop and it'll be easier to grab one off the roost and dose them one at a time.
Molasses flushes are a good way to expel worms a few hours after worming, but in my opinion it's not really necessary.

Worms not excreted are absorbed as protein in the chickens digestive tract. Too much flushing causes loss of nutrients needed to help the hen recover from worming and the worms themselves.
Since your hen is weak, I recommend that you stop molasses flushes and give your hen(s) white boiled rice (cooled) mixed with chopped boiled egg and buttermilk. This will help her/them recover.

 

[Jnel88]

Thank you so much, that sounds great and I will try to find goat wormer today. If I can’t find the goat version I’ll keep up with what I have. And it is very reassuring to know the worms don’t have to come all the way out, I was wondering what happens to those nasty buggers when the hen gets wormed and for some reason I was thinking they needed to be expelled. I thought it was weird they were still alive the day after I wormed her tho so I will definitely feel better doing it 3 days in a row. And I’m definitely worming every body as well. Thank you again your info is much appreciated