Flossie G Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hello, The Omlet guide that came with my hens recommends Verm-X, which I've used for months. One post on this forum (can't find it again) says that it's not effective. What do you think? FG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 This topic really will open a can of worms There has been a lot of discussion about Vermx. Some have used it for years and have never seen evidence of worms in their chickens. Others have used it and seen worms, so switched to Flubenvet. Just because you don't see worms, doesn't mean that they don't have them. If your chickens are laying well, seem healthy, active, bright and perky, then it looks like you are doing everything right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 If your chickens are laying well, seem healthy, active, bright and perky, then it looks like you are doing everything right. Thanks, Christian. I might be tempting fate by saying this, but they seem fine. If there was a problem, probably I'd know by now. Wouldn't I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Probably. Usually you would get a drop in eggs, messy knicker feathers, hunched appearance and general lack of interest as the worms invade the gut. Some say that the hens eat more to sustain the worms and themselves, but I didn't find this to be the case. They were so miserable that they couldn't be bothered to eat. Poor things. Glad it is working for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 And may it continue to work. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 All I can add is that I've used vermx so far, since about August and all seems ok. They eat the pellets with relish, I really hope it continues to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I would advise anyone using Verm-x to use Flubenvet at least once a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GillC Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Probably. Usually you would get a drop in eggs, messy knicker feathers, hunched appearance and general lack of interest as the worms invade the gut. Some say that the hens eat more to sustain the worms and themselves, but I didn't find this to be the case. They were so miserable that they couldn't be bothered to eat. Poor things. Glad it is working for you I used Flubenvet last year, and saw very few worms. I followed the instructions about mixing it in, giving it to them each day and no treats, but as the dose is so small, I couldn't help wondering if they'd not actually got enough of it. Last month I dosed them with VermX more as a nice organic preventative than anything else, no worms appeared at all in the poo tray. However over the past couple of months one hen, although looking big, glossy and plump, does seem to have had a personality change. She seems less friendly to me, slightly less interested in any treats and kind of introverted. She does sit around hunched sometimes, but her feathers are in tip-top condition as are her knicker feathers. I still have flubenvet, but I'm not convinced that administering it mixed thinly in the feed is the best. Has anybody tried giving each hen an individual dose of flubenvet on a grape or other treat each day? Would this work? It would have to be a teeny dose. Would a pinch be accurate enough, or would I need to weigh it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 You will find lots of people on here who have used the 'grape' approach - a knife-blade tip, or a pinch, is the most approximate measure, it's almost impossible to weigh in such small quantities unless you have pharmaceutical scales. The problem I found with this is that giving ONE grape to ONE hen is not easy! Unless you've got them physically separated, there's a high risk of one of their sisters snitching the dosed grape out from under their beak. Mixing it in the feed, in theory, means that they get the right amount according to the amount of feed that they eat. I just find it easier to measure and mix in that way, but if you can manage the individual doses, no problem with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I found my chickens got worms despite using Verm-X (found dead and live ones in their poo). I now just use Flubenvet once a month to make sure all clear. I use the pinch on a grape (or bit of cucumber) method....but like others have said to ensure get right dose you do have to do one at a time which can be tricky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I believe that you can use flubenvet every 6 weeks if you need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 If you find the dosing of Flubenvet difficult, then ask your vet if they will prescribe Panacur - it's not licensed for use on poultry in the UK, but my vet recommends it as a brilliant, broad-spectrum poultry wormer. Egg withdrawal advice would apply. The best thing about it is that it's a suspension, which you can administer by syringe; 1ml per kg of hen, two doses a week apart. (10% small animal solution). I have used a few different wormers in the past and this one suits my purposes best; I dose them quarterly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Hello, The Omlet guide that came with my hens recommends Verm-X, which I've used for months. One post on this forum (can't find it again) says that it's not effective. What do you think? FG Hello I've used Verm-x for a number of years and it works for my chickens. If you're worried it isn't working, then try sending a mixed droppings sample off to Retford Poultry Vets for analysis. It isn't expensive and will either put your mind at rest or help you decide which other product to use if not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Might be an idea, given the uncertainty surrounding Verm-X. Thanks Chatty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guildfordchick Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I have to admit I'm really confused about how often to worm. My Omlet guide says once a year, other places I've looked on the internet say twice a year or once every three months, and my Verm-X says once a month. Does it depend on the number/conditions you have? Any advice?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 (edited) It is confusing because every time you ask a question that includes the word "chicken", you end up with at least two different answers! Okay, here goes. Some people never worm at all, relying on rotating the ground and using deterrents like Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). Verm-x is a monthly treatment and my chickens agree that it works for them. Flubenvet used to be recommended every six months (spring and autumn), but the manufacturers seem to have changed this to every three months now Obviously it works well as evidenced by all the worming advice posts here. There are other treatments available from your vet who will give advice on frequency. HTH. Edited February 15, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guildfordchick Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 That's helpful! I think we'll try verm-x (I admit, the propaganda brochure that came with it has sold me) for a while. I guess when you just want to be doing your best you're always worried it's going to be wrong somehow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
