How many chickens in Eglu Cube

[2Chiqs]

I dosed my 3 chickens with Flubenvet in January, and every month dose them with Verm X on the 1st,2nd & 3rd of each month (i.e. 3 days ago). This morning I noticed one of the chickens droppings had roundworm in it. Is this a result of dead worms being expelled having been killed by the worming products, or do I need to dose them with Flubenvet again. Are the worms dissolved inside the chicken or are they expelled whole? Also can you dose too frequently with Flubenvet (I usually do it every 4 months)? I give them cider apple vinegar too, but should I try another wormer?

[heth1986]

Hi 2Chiqs,

 

it is my understanding that, like dogs etc, if your chook has worms and you worm her then yes, the worm will die but will then be expelled in her faeces, they do not dissolve in the body so don't worry about that.

 

I think most people on this forum swear by Flubevet and don't bother with Verm x but, seeing as Verm x is a herbal product, I can't see any harm in continuing to use this aswell (someone correct me if I'm wrong please!).

 

Re overdosing with Flubevet, yes I imagine you can, stick by the manufacturers guidelines and you should be fine.

 

On the plus side, ,the Verm x seems to be getting rid of some nasties so that's always good!

[2Chiqs]

What I am not quite clear about is whether the fact that I can see the worms in the droppings means that the worming products are working and the dead worms are being expelled, or does it mean that they are not working and they have got a new infestation which I need to treat? Because the droppings were not absolutely fresh, I don't know whether the worms were alive in the poo, or already dead! Also are treated droppings a problem for dogs, who like to eat them if I can't get them cleared up fast enough?!

[heth1986]

Eew! I hate it when my dog eats the chicken droppings! My theory re the dog is (and this is just a theory), the worms are already dead, there's wormer in the poo, he/she isn't going to get worms from the poo. I can't see it being great for them but at the same time, I wouldn't be too worried if a few droppings got eaten

 

The products are working by the simple fact that the worms are coming out, even if they are coming out alive they are better out than in.

 

I can't really help with regards to other worming products / over worming etc as I myself have only just changed to Flubevet but if you think they could be heavily infested with worms, I think it says on the Verm x tin that you can double dose them.

 

I'm sure someone else with more knowledge will be along shortly!

[sjp]

Flubenvet is the only licenced wormer for poultry I'd check the intructions to see when you can re worm

[The Dogmother]

I think (but will stand corrected) that you can re-dose Flubenvet after 3 weeks if you suspect a heavy load of worms or haven't previously wormed properly with Flubenvet.

 

The purpose of a wormer is to keep the worm load to a minimum so that it doesn't compromise the animals' health - they will still always have worms to a lesser or greater degree. It is important to treat the ground in the run too - Stalosan is good for this, as is NetTex's Ground Sanitising Powder- both will kill worm eggs in the soil.

 

To keep your flock healthy, all that's required is to have a regular (quarterly) worming regime, just as you do for your cats and dogs.

[KimmyCustard]

I have noticed when I Flub my girls that there are live worms in their poop during the Flubbing week. I poo pick all that I see and throw it out rather than compost it. The fortnight after, I keep checking their poop to make sure there arent any more worms being expelled - there isnt usually so I think the Flub does it's job and kills almost all. I worm mine 4 times a year and have begun using ACV, seems to be all OK.

[The Dogmother]

Do bear in mind that the absence of worms in their poo isn't an indication that they don't have worms - do still stick to your routine... mine are currently being wormed with Marriages Flubenvet pellets.