The Poultry Keeper

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1960 Location: Cheshire

I read in one of my books yesterday that you shouldn't throw garden snails for the hens because they harbor worms. Urghhh!

We have loads of snails and I doubt I could stop them eating them. Is this a big no-no? Ive not heard anyone on here mention it before.

Also what worming products are the best to use/ how often etc.

Thank you.

(out of interest, if the chicken has worms, could these or their eggs get into the hens eggs?)

CP · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:

AFIK snails do harbour worms but mine eat them & water snails which they fish out of the pond in copious amounts. Rolling Eyes

I worm mine twice a year with Flubenvet, but there are other products you can use.

I have never known anything get into the chickens eggs. Wink

nigel · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:30 pm Post subject:

snails slugs and worms are all vectors for parasitical worms, it's impossible to stop them from eating them. Just worm your flock twice a year, our vet recommended three times as we kept our flock on the same paddock all year. Flubenvet is the only registered wormer for poultry and can be bought over the counter at most animal feed stores. Our Feed store also used to sell flubenvet medicated pellets, which is a lot less hassle than mixing the powder. Flubenvet has no egg withdrawal period if used as prescribed Some vets will prescribe a panacur based spot on type, ours wouldn't.

There's also an organic wormer that I know Summayah used to use but I can't remember the name

Worms cannot cross into eggs as far as i know.

CP · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:12 am Post subject:

It's called Verm-X, Nigel.

http://www.verm-x.com/

CP · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:42 am Post subject:

This is interesting.

http://www.theranger.co.uk/brochures/127%20JAH%20Flubenvet%20Leaf.pdf

Apparently it is possible for roundworms to get into the eggs! Shocked

I didn't know that.

Lisa · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:06 am Post subject:

I've read that too, but for some reason I thought you would need to have a very bad infestation of worms for them to get into the eggs? ie you'd have other symptoms?

I've just bought some Verm-X to try - they had some at Thornes poultry centre when I went there the other day, so I thought I'd give it a go.

CP · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject:

Isn't that the one you have to give every day, all year? Confused

Lisa · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject:

Not every day - three days running, repeat monthly. (If they haven't been wormed for a while then first month use double dose...)

Its a liquid, so either add to water, or sprinkle over something like bread. Comes with a pump dispenser. One squirt is one dose for one chicken - so easy to do for small numbers.

jaydee67 · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:04 pm Post subject:

Doesn't that mean that if you have a few birds the dose will be stronger - more vermex in the water?

Bhindi · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:08 pm Post subject:

I use verm x and had the vet check the samples afterwards, they were clear, and I definatly know one of the girls had worms beforehand. I used the liquid monthly, diluting it with a teaspoon of water with each dose,(as it is quite a strong tonic) and then dunking bread in. They wolfed it down. Last week I asked Verm x to post me 2 samples of the new worm pellets to try, the girls were very happy to eat them too, despite being quite small pellets.

I really recomend verm x strongly, I feel happy its a natural product and attacks the worms, and does not stress out the chickens at all, which I understand can be a problem if your treating an already poorly hen with worms using a chemical wormer.

I also feel happier to be a bit more proactive than treating for worms once or twice a year.

Its cheap, easy to buy, easy to administer, AND IT WORKS.. Very Happy

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1960 Location: Cheshire

I would love to use herbal products but I am sceptical, going back to my veterinary nursing days I know how important it is to get a worming tablet for cats and dogs from the vets, because the supermarket ones just dont do what they say on the tin. That said, I also like the idea of doing it every month rather than bi-annually. But thanks for the tip I will certainly be looking into it.

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1443 Location: Leicestershire

Flubenvet works well and is easy to use, 1/2oz to 22lbs of food fed for 7 consecutive days, I weigh out the food and sprinkle it over and give it a bit of a stir - I was a bit concerned when I first bought it that it would be all in the top food but it does go down, you sprinkle it over and it kind of disappears. It recommends using every 3 weeks on heavily worm infested ground, so you could use it say 4 times a year. I do mine twice a year. The tub weighs 240gms so you're commited to it for a while once you've bought it - I think my tub will see me out Laughing

Itsybitsy

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Although I like to keep things as natural as possible, I use Flubenvet and am very happy with it Smile

With something as potentially serious as worms, I'd just rather be certain that it's being properly cleared out.
But then I've had so much cr*ppy luck with my birds that I daren't risk anything, these days... Rolling Eyes

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2020 Location: norfolk

I've been to the vet who doled out 4 heaped teaspoons of flubenvet for me. (I only have 8 chickens, 6 of whom are bantams) I was charged about £3 which is exorbitant I know but better than paying £13 or so for a whole pot and have it maybe go off after a couple of years.

Kated