Treating Internal Parasites at Diamond T Poultry

Black Australorp owned by Diamond T Poultry

By far the most common internal parasite in chickens is the round worm. Followed by the gape worm and hair worm, as well as others. While these can have different effects and symptoms. They all effect the health as well as nutrient and fluid absorption, which in turn can affect growth rate and overall development in  juveniles you are growing out. In your breeding birds it can manifest as, reduced egg production, poor shell quality and infertility.  Birds that are in contact with the ground will be constantly exposed to re-infestation.
   
Here at Diamond T, since the 1960's we have always used a monthly treatment program with alternating products. Some products do require a 10 to14 day followup treatment. In the past before so many commercial products were available, we used about every home remedy and potion you could dream of. I am not sure how affective they were.

For about the last 20 years I have used 3 different products monthly on an alternating 3 month cycle.
I will give the active ingredients as there are different product name with the same active ingredient. All of these remedies and doses are what I use for large fowl some dosages and applications won't work for bantams and will have to be omitted or adjusted. Any treatment is better than nothing, because internal parasites will affect your birds.
 
For chicks, I don't worm until they are put on the ground, because as long as they are in a clean wire bottom pen off the ground they are not really exposed. Once they are on the ground until they are about 12 weeks old I use only  water soluble Piperzine per directions. At that point I begin with Ivermectin, I use an injectable product  labeled for cattle. At a rate of  3 drops orally followed  the next month with  Fenbendazole capsule orally, this product requires a 10 day follow up treatment 1 month from that second treatment I use Piperzine in their water and 1 month later I start over. Many people say that worms have a 21 day egg cycle and they worm on a more regular schedule but I think if you follow any regular treatment program you will stay ahead of them.

 Keep in mind my program is for exhibition fowl not for layers that you are consuming eggs from because both Ivermectin and fenbendazole have a 14 day egg  withdrawal period. If your birds are used only as layers you should use 1 of the organic or natural treatments after your birds are 16 to 18 weeks old. But you should treat in some way. Your birds will be healthier and happier as well as produce more eggs.

Enjoy your birds
                                                                    
Jeff Thornton
                                                                    
Diamond T Poultry
diamondtpoultry@yahoo.com
www.diamondtpoultry.com