Ursula123 Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Hi I am new to the forum, but have kept chickens for the last two years. Over those two years I have found the forum very helpful and informative if I have any problems. I am half way through worming week with Marriges pellets with flubenvet, luckily my four chooks seem to like these. I worm them every three months and have just started using ACV in their water for one week in a month, the other weeks they have Battles poultry tonic in their water. My question is should I worm them again in a few weeks ( 3-6) or just carry on as I have been. I did read somewhere that I should repeat due to life cycle of the worms. I have not noticed any worms in their poo's but just do it as routine. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 We only repeat the worming if we have had a confirmed very bad case, otherwise it is every 4 months. We don't use any tonics in the water at all, although others do. Our chickens are quite old and yet very healthy partly due perhaps to the occasional doses of Avipro Avian. Lots of access to grass and occasional healthy treats like mixed corn or cabbage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 Thank you beantree, I have four chooks, I have had two of them since June 2013 and the other two I got a year ago yesterday. My friends say they are pampered chickens, they have a eglu classic coup with a 3 metre run but as I work from home they free range in the garden all day and are only shut in the run if I go out and at night. They have plenty of dock and dandelion leaves as we back onto fields and go mad for an iceberg lettuce. Occasionally the get some corn but their favourite is mealworms which I have been giving them recently to help with protein as two are moulting. I also give them hot porridge when the weather cools. Most days I get three eggs but for me it's not all about the eggs, even without that benefit I would keep them as they are all individual and quirky and are great pets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 I know it's 'off topic' but I worry about the free ranging, even though you are in. How fox resistant is your garden boundary? Chickens have been known to have been snatched from by their owner's feet. We had a garden wall on three sides and water on the other, but the fox found a way in through the undergrowth and once fed wouldn't leave us alone. You will find that sunflower hearts are just as good for the protein, but without the health issues of mealworms Ursula. Probably a lot cheaper as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 We do have a good boundary around the back garden, (a large tall wall)this is the area that backs onto a field. At the front we are on a main road. I had not thought about sunflower hearts, I assume I can buy these from a pet store? Thank you for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Oh I didn't realise that about sunflower hearts. They are much cheaper. I buy mine loose at Jollyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 I found them in pet hut part of pound stretcher and my chooks love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Oh I didn't realise that about sunflower hearts. They are much cheaper. I buy mine loose at Jollyes. Just be mindful of the fat content of sunflower seeds; I wouldn't give them more than once a week as they encourage birds to put on excess weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
