Chickens are susceptible to getting worms just like any other pet, so treating them with medication such as Flubenvet can help ensure their wellbeing and ensure optimal health. We stock this effective remedy to treat chickens and poultry alike.
Most worms are transmitted indirectly, such as by chickens eating infected droppings that contain eggs of certain types of worms (gizzard worms, hair worms and gape worms). Therefore it is advisable to regularly worm your poultry. It is advised to do this every quarter.
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Capillary Worms
Numerous species of Capillary Worms belonging to the Nematode Family (Capillaria) can infest chickens. These thread-like parasites target specific regions within the bird – for instance, some invade its crop and esophagus leading to thickening of mucus membranes and dilatation of its crop; other species invade its intestinal tract causing inflammation, ulceration and blood loss.
Chickens become infected with these parasites by eating infected droppings or insects carrying eggs for them – such as an earthworm, snail, slug, grasshopper or fly. When their worm load becomes excessively large, healthy birds can tolerate some symptoms including poor condition, weight loss, regurgitation and anemia; in severe cases the bird may even become emaciated and die. Worms also infest turkeys, pigeons and wild birds, with larvae developing within eggs for their life cycle while adult thread-like nematodes can be observed with microscope.
Gape Worms
Gape Worms (Syngamus trachea) are parasitic nematodes that live in chicken’s trachea, causing gasping and shaking of their heads, often resulting in death due to suffocation. Most commonly contracted through eating earth worms, snails or earthworms that contain gapeworm larvae but it may also be spread via droppings from other chickens or wild birds.
These symptoms include weight loss, poor egg production, anaemia (pale comb and wattles), diarrhoea, reduced laying frequency and feather plucking. Left untreated, these symptoms will worsen leading to weak and unwell chickens.
Flubendazole is the only licensed dewormer for gape worms available from vets or Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs), and should be mixed with water before being administered over seven days to your flock. All other sources of water should be removed prior to treatment with this product; apple cider vinegar can also be added to increase acidity within their gut, making it less attractive to worms.
Blackhead Worms
There are a variety of internal parasites that can present problems for chickens. Protozoa often cause symptoms including listlessness, strange droppings, stunted growth and even death in extreme cases. One such protozoan parasite is Heterakis gallinarum or blackhead worm; this infests the ceca of birds but typically only affects turkeys rather than chickens.
Signs of parasitic worm infestation in chickens include pale egg yolks and lethargic behavior, with frequent head shaking from your flock. A fecal float test from a vet or online can help determine the level of infestation, and whether you need to treat them with flubendazole (an effective and popular wormer treatment). You should refrain from slaughtering birds for human consumption during treatment periods and keep wild birds, snails, or dragonflies away from your yard since these can carry parasites that infest chickens as well.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms (Cestode), parasitic organisms found in snails and other aquatic creatures, can pose a significant threat to chickens by sucking up nutrients from their host and leading to weight loss and emaciation. Chickens typically contract tapeworms by eating infected snails, slugs, beetles or grasshoppers that carry eggs from this parasite that contain tapeworm eggs in their bodies.
Chickens infected with Eimeria are easily visible as flat, white segments that flex slowly in their feces. A severe outbreak may lead to chickens appearing to choke or wheeze as the worms form a Y shape and partially block their windpipe, as well as coughing and producing raspy breath sounds.
Tapeworms can be effectively treated using Praziquantel, Albendazole and Fenbendazole (see Damerow Gail’s Chicken Health Handbook 2nd Ed by Storey Publishing 2016 for details). To avoid heavy infestation, keep the poultry coop clean by filling mud puddles and applying diatomaceous earth to discourage parasite growth; adding apple cider vinegar and garlic into water can promote respiratory health while apple cider vinegar may boost immunity further. Finally, provide your flock with high quality nutrient-rich feed while medicating them as necessary (see Storey Publishing 2016).
