Egghead68 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I have been an awful hen mother and not wormed for 6 months (always seemed to be a reason not to, but no excuse). Yesterday I was horrified to see a long dead worm coming out of one of my hybrid's bottoms. I won't make that mistake again. I want to start Flubenvet today but have one poorly chicken who is already on baytril and I don't want to overmedicate her. Is it OK to use the grape method for now as an emergency with the other hens and then worm them all properly when (crossed fingers) the poorly one has fully recovered? Any advice appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 If the worm burden is such that she is passing large worms it is really important to worm her properly which is as per the instructions. Flubenvet is designed to be fed over 7 days. If you use the grape method, this is delivering the wormer in 1 large dose. There have been forum members that have used the grape method only to find that their hens have had worms a short time afterwards. If you are going to worm it is better to do it knowing that it has been done properly rather that wondering whether it has worked or not. As this is a large worm, it is worth doing your girls every 3-4 months at the very least. You may want to do them again before then this time around. It is also worth looking at your husbandry to make sure that their environment is not heavily contaminated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I have used the grape method since first reading about it, when I first started out... THere is also quite a long thread on here (I think ) about how at a trade stand they were contradictory in their advice to various people with some admitting that there is nothing wrong with it... I think it is all very confusing and they never answered my email asking to explain "how" it works and why such an ineffective way if administering it is necessary, when this is not the case for other spieces. Any way... I use the grape method as carefully calculated as the instructions (I think over on there was a photo of an acurately measure dose to give you an idea) Mine get a small dose on a small piece of grape every day for 7 days, using the dose up. I feel that with what gets chucked about on the floor this is probably more accurate... I have only once got a positive worm count back from testing and I was aware I was well due and had already started flubbing before I got the result back (sample sent of fr general testing , not just worms) Works well for me, no doubt as vermex works for others the "lethal Dose" by the way from their literature was humungous!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Thanks both of you. I had a worm egg count done by Retfords in Jan and it came back with no worm load. I also Stalosan the run weekly. I've never had a problem with worms before. On balance I think I will use the grape method as an emergency method and then worm properly in a few weeks. It is possible that what I saw was not a worm (was egg-yolk coloured) but I'd rather not take chances. They do eat a lot of slugs so could have picked up anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 ahh but we are 10 months on now, highly possible. I think 3/4 months is recommended? I too use Stalosan. mine eat loads slugs and worms. I find 3/4 months works for me, i think we all vary and lots of things make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Yes - I would normally do every three months and I know I left it far too long. I will get back on track from now. Thanks again for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 On balance I think I will use the grape method as an emergency method and then worm properly in a few weeks.It is possible that what I saw was not a worm (was egg-yolk coloured) but I'd rather not take chances. They do eat a lot of slugs so could have picked up anything. Sounds like a good plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambles Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I stalosan weekly and was worming every three months. One of my chicks died last week of blackhead and had a worm in its intestines on pm. I have now upped the flubenvet regime and the others are on other vet treatments. What I'm saying is that you can be very careful, but never complacent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 Thanks, Brambles. You were extremely unlucky with your chick. That is a warning to us all, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I stalosan weekly and was worming every three months. One of my chicks died last week of blackhead and had a worm in its intestines on pm.I have now upped the flubenvet regime and the others are on other vet treatments. What I'm saying is that you can be very careful, but never complacent. 'a worm' isn't worth worrying about; any critter which grubs around for its food will have some worms in their gut - the idea is to worm regularly enough to keep the worm load to a level where it isn't compromising their health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
