Chickens are susceptible to parasitic worms, such as gapeworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Although not all types of worms are harmful to chickens, some worms can lose weight, reduce egg production, and even cause death. Fortunately, you can do several ways to treat intestinal worms in chickens, such as using diatomaceous earth and giving deworming medicine.
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Method 1 of 4: Looking for Symptoms and Testing for Worms
Step 1. Pay attention to whether the chicken has symptoms of intestinal worms
Symptoms of intestinal worms commonly experienced by chickens include: abnormal and foamy feces, diarrhea, pale combs/waals, weight loss, dirty feather holes, lethargy, gasping for air, head shaking and stretching, decreased egg production, and sudden death. -arrive.
Also pay attention to whether there are worms in the droppings and throat of the chicken
Step 2. Find information about the various types of worms
There are really only a few types of worms to worry about: cecal worms, tapeworms, roundworms, capillary worms, and gapeworms. However, not all of them have the same level of danger. After determining one (or more) types of worms, you can give the appropriate medication. For example, cecal worm attacks are common, but usually do not affect the health of the chicken. This worm appears in chicken droppings, with a size of about 1.5 cm.
- Roundworms are common in chickens and appear in the feces with a heavy body. It can reach 8 cm in length.
- Chickens are rarely attacked by tapeworms and are generally harmless. However, these worms can cause death if there is an invasion in large numbers. Length from 5 mm to 25 cm.
- Capillary worms have a thin, thread-like shape. These worms do not usually appear in chicken droppings, and are about 1.5 cm long.
- Gapeworm, which is shaped like a red fork, very rarely attacks chickens. These worms appear in the feces and make the chicken gasp, cough, open the mouth frequently, and stretch the neck.
Step 3. Check the chicken droppings to find out the number of worm eggs
This number of eggs is used by veterinarians to diagnose worms. While you can go to the vet to have them count eggs, you can also purchase a worm egg counting kit and microscope to find out the numbers yourself. This egg counter product comes with a chart showing the number of eggs in light, medium and heavy levels.
- Purchase worm counters and microscopes online. Make sure the kit you buy also includes the chemical flubendazole.
- Even if only a few chickens appear to have worms, it is more likely that the worms will spread to other chickens. So, you should treat all the chickens.
- Send the chicken manure to the vet if the chicken is losing weight, or the chicken has other problems, but there are no signs of worms in the droppings. Chickens may have more severe internal parasites, which are not expelled through their droppings.
Method 2 of 4: Get Rid of Worms the Natural Way
Step 1. Mix food grade diatomaceous earth (safe for food) with chicken feed to dehydrate the worms
You can get diatomaceous earth in powder form at animal feed stores or the internet. This is a natural deworming medicine that is believed to dehydrate the worms and parasites in the chicken's body. Mix 90 grams of food grade quality diatomaceous earth for every 1 kg of chicken feed. Stir the two ingredients until completely blended.
Diatomaceous earth is safe for pets to eat. However, humans should not inhale the powder
Step 2. Give the chicken apple cider vinegar as an inexpensive alternative to deworming
Mix 1 tsp. (5 ml) apple cider vinegar for every 4 liters of chicken drinking water. Apart from having health benefits because it contains vitamins and minerals, apple cider vinegar is also a mild antiseptic and antibiotic. This means that apple cider vinegar can kill bacteria and germs, and prevent worms from living in the chicken's body. Apple cider vinegar can also increase the acidity of the water, which makes the chicken intestine a less conducive place for bacteria.
Only use plastic drinking containers when you add apple cider vinegar
Step 3. Mix ground garlic into chicken feed or drinking water to boost immunity
Garlic makes chicken intestines unattractive to parasites. Crush 3-4 cloves of garlic and mix it evenly with the chicken feed. You can also crush a few cloves of garlic and mix it with chicken water.
Garlic can also improve the respiratory system and immune system of chickens
Step 4. Do this natural treatment for 4-5 days
Regardless of which natural treatment method you use, you have to do it consistently. This can create an unattractive environment for parasitic worms.
Repeat this natural treatment every 3-4 months for best results
Method 3 of 4: Using Medication to Treat Worms
Step 1. Give the right medicine according to the type of worm
Once you've checked the chicken and know what type of worm it is, use the right medication. When you go to the vet's clinic, he will tell you the type of worm that attacks the chicken and choose the best and most effective remedy for it. If you don't have time to go to the doctor, most deworming medications for chickens can be found in pharmacies or the internet. Whatever you choose, always follow the drug manufacturer's directions.
- Wazine-17 (Piperazine) is used to treat roundworms. However, this drug should not be used in laying hens that are consumed by humans.
- Safe-guard (fenbendazole) is used to eradicate roundworms, pinworms, cecal worms, and gapeworms.
- Ivermectin is used to treat roundworms, pinworms, and gapeworms.
- Albendazole is effective against tapeworms, roundworms, capillary worms, gapeworms, and cecal worms.
Step 2. Deworm all chickens 2 times
Deworming is usually mixed with drinking water or injected. After giving the first drug, give the drug again after 7-14 days or according to the instructions on the product packaging. Always clean the dirt in the cage after you give the second deworming.
- Give deworming medicine 2 times a year in healthy chickens.
- Give again deworming medicine every 3 weeks if the chicken is attacked by worms again.
Step 3. Rotate deworming regularly to prevent drug resistance
The use of the same drug can make chickens develop drug resistance and reduce their effectiveness. For this reason, you will have to rotate 2 or 3 types of medication to treat worms. For example, use drug A for 4 months, and switch to drug B for the next 4 months, and drug C for another 4 months.
If you live in a country with 4 seasons, give the medicine in spring and autumn
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Worms
Step 1. Clean the chicken coop regularly
The soil in the chicken coop can soon become filled with parasites and bacteria, which then become a breeding ground for worms. Do not let any chicken manure accumulate and keep the cage clean and free of litter.
Place the litter box under the chicken perch at night to collect the droppings
Step 2. Contact your local livestock service to discuss the worm problem
See an extension worker and ask about the risk of developing worms in your area. Extension workers will provide the best solution regarding the right time and method to deal with worms.
Provide as much information as possible, such as the number of worm eggs, the type of worms that attack the chickens, the location of the chicken coop, and the eating habits of the chickens
Step 3. Limit snacks to a maximum of 5 percent of the main chicken meal each day
Giving excessive snacks can interfere with the diet of chickens. The nutritional content in snacks usually varies, and if given in excess it can cause health problems in chickens. Never add snacks to commercial chicken feed because it can disrupt the nutritional balance.
