Don't be chicken about worming

Simply feed your chickens the medicated layers pellets for 7 days [making sure they don't have access to any other feed like mixed corn etc] normally between 2 & 4 times a year to keep them fit and well.

This is a prescription medicine, so it is only available in-store. It really is great value and so much easier than the other methods of using 'Flubenvet'. Because the medication has a short shelf life don't be tempted to buy more than you need for 1 treatment.

Want to find out more? Call Steve on 01258473336 or email steve@thepaddockpantry.co.uk

Worming - the best policy

• WORM before putting chickens out to pasture.
• WORM all new birds.
• WORM every 3 months - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
• WORM more frequently as recommended by a vet or animal health advisor if a worm problem is suspected.

Chicken worms have 2 types of lifecycle - Direct and Indirect. The direct lifecycle is where your chickens pick up the worm eggs which have been shed in the faeces of infected birds. Where most of us keep birds on the same piece of ground this is a problem which will build up over time, especially where there is no worm control.

The indirect lifecycle relies on an intermediate host like earthworms and snails, they eat the eggs and then your birds eat them, taking the eggs/larvae into their gut.

There are several common worms that infect chickens, turkeys and geese - the list below is not exhaustive, if you suspect your poultry have a problem that requires more frequent worming than every 3 months consult your vet and work out a plan with them.

Tapeworm [cestodes] are fairly rare in chickens, they have an indirect lifecycle and common symptoms are:-

• Diarrhoea
• Weight Loss
• Fewer eggs

Heterakis not a problem for chickens which can live quite happily without major symptoms, however, if you mix turkeys and chickens together turkeys can be infected and get Blackhead which is fatal if untreated - best not to mix the two together or keep turkeys on ground where you have kept chickens before.

Hairworm can cause significant damage to your chickens digestive tract, symptoms are:-

• Diarrhoea [green]
• Pale yolks
• Sagging wings
• Death

Large Roundworm [Ascarid] these are a big worm 5-8cm long and are common in intensive conditions, dirty litter and runs. They occasionally get into the oviduct so can appear in your eggs! They also, because of their size sometimes totally block the gut. Symptoms are:-

• Loss of egg production
• Pale yolks
• Anemia
• Blocked intestine

Gapeworm [syngamus] although these are a roundworm they infect the trachea of your birds, causing difficulty in breathing which makes the bird gape as it struggles for breath. They have both a direct and indirect lifecycle. Symptoms include:-

• Gasping for breath
• Yawning
• Gurgling

Regular worming helps keep your chickens healthy, using a mixture of 'Flubenvet' products and natural  products like Verm X is a great way to control parasites in your chickens. You can also test their droppings for worm eggs by sending a sample to places like Westgate Lab's to establish the extent of your chickens worm burden and then treating accordingly.