20h • General discussion
Worming chickens!
Today I wormed our chickens and I thought I'd do a quick video with me worming one of our gorgeous girls, Sylvia, and give you some insights into what I do and why.
Why Worming Matters
Chickens naturally pick up worm eggs from the soil/dirt, insects, droppings and shared yards.
Worms can cause:
*Weight loss or poor/slow growth
*Dropped egg production
*Pale combs
*Diarrhoea or messy bottoms
*Lethargy
***In severe cases it can lead to anaemia or even death.
Routine worming helps keep your flock strong, , healthy, productive and laying.
How Often to Worm
*Every 3 months (seasonally)
*More often if:
They are free range
Wet or muddy ground
You notice symptoms
You bring new birds into the flock
Most Common Types of Products (in Australia)
Medicated seed. It's easy for flocks but less precise dosing
Worm Gel - Liquid gel. Gentle and effective
Liquid - Moxidectin/Levamisole (eg; Kilverm). Add to the chickens clean fresh drinking water.
Worm tablets for chickens - (eg; Avitrol Plus tablets). Individual tablets therefore more precise dosing. Especially when you don't know how much water your chickens actually drink and how often. You can't know if they have had enough to be properly dosed.
I use the Avitrol plus tablets. Quick, easy, one single dose, less waste and more cost effective.
How to Administer Worm Tablets
- Try and catch the chicken calmly. For chickens that aren't used to being handled, doing it when it becomes dark and they have roosted, is easier as they can't see very well in the dark and less like to get jumpy. You can wrap them in a towel.
- Place the tablet in the open beak gently using your thumb and forefinger at the corners.
- Place the tablet as far back as possible so they swallows it.
- Let them swallow and hold her for 1-3 seconds to ensure it safely goes down her throat.
- Dos each bird with a standard does which is one tablet per adult bird. (Read label and follow instructions accordingly).
- Ensure you keep track of date of worming and who you wormed as you go.
- Repeat only if required in 7-14 days to kill hatching larvae.
- Withhold eggs if label instructs. Many products have zero egg withholding, but some may have 3-7 days.
General Care
Give fresh clean cool water daily. Always check their water when it's very hot, as they drink more than usual and the water can become hot. If the water is too hot, they won't drink and they'll become dehydrated. Offer warm water if it's really cold or frozen.
Add probiotics or ACV (apple cider vinegar) day after worming to support their gut
Clean coop
Replace bedding
Rotate free range areas if possible
Repeat worming schedule regularly
Optional Natural Supports (These are not replacements)
-Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower Seeds
-Garlic in water - weekly
-Herbs, like oregano/basil
-ACV splashes in water occasionally
Apart from chook feed (pellets/seeds), giving your chooks safe scraps is great for them.
Greens, corn, peas, squash, apples (without seeds), cooked grains like, rice, oats and pasta, in moderation.
Avoid mouldy foods, citrus, avocado, and raw/dried beans.
Treats should be kept under 10% of their diet to supplement balanced feeds.
Something I give to my chickens weekly for the great health benefits is sardines in spring water or oil.
If you'd like more in-depth information on raising and caring for chickens, you can subscribe to get more info on topics.
Thanks for watching and engaging.
Simone.
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Worming chickens!
skool.com/our-little-farm-school-aus
Through this community, I want to share everyday life on our little farm and hopefully help others learn what’s it’s like living on a property.
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