[Sue33]

morning all,

I've got two rhode island reds that are 22/23weeks old and two that are 18/19 weeks old, can someone tell me when I should start worming them, and how often? 

Also, do you need to treat them for lice as a preventative method or is that something
you do if you chooks get them!!??

Thanks, Sue

[Vember]

Hi Sue

It really depends on how they were kept before you got them also if you've had other birds on the land that they are on now.
If they were kept in an area that has always got hens on then it might be an idea to worm them

My birds free range and I tend to worm them twice a year once at the beginning of march "ish" and again October "ish" . You wont actually see worms in their poops unless they have alot  But during worming you may see the odd one come out in their poops.
A sign that they may need worming is bright green poops

There's loads of info about worming here:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=4348.0

Also info on lice here: I tend to keep a close eye on my girls and at the first sign of any nasties give them a squirt with frontline (note - frontline is not registered for poultry use) Kill's any nasties instantly

Link to external parasite page :

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=5250.0


Sarah

[Sue33]

thanks Sarah,  I haven't kept chickens before and they came from a breeder, just thought maybe they had to be done at a certain time or when the birds were say 25 weeks, phew, I can stop worrying now. They're all happy and healthy so think I'll just pick some wormer up from the breeders when I next go to get some straw and feed.

[Aunt Sally]

Do read some of our topics in the Poultry Information section

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?board=13.0

They may give you some pointers.

[Chuckles]

Just a note on worming.....

I had one of my girlies at the vets yesterday and we were discussing worming - she was impressed I was using Flubenvet not the other stuff (no names mentioned!) but she also recommended that they are wormed every 4-6 weeks!!!!

I was only planning on doing them 2 maybe 3 times a year!!!  Ooopp's!

[BestBreast]

I use Flubenvet really easy to use, brought from CWG £19 for 60g spoke to producers to make sure I got the correct quanty mixed in with the feed and knew what I was doing. Don't give them any treats while they have the treatment.

[Foxy]

Just a note on worming.....

I had one of my girlies at the vets yesterday and we were discussing worming - she was impressed I was using Flubenvet not the other stuff (no names mentioned!) but she also recommended that they are wormed every 4-6 weeks!!!!

I was only planning on doing them 2 maybe 3 times a year!!!  Ooopp's!

Twice a year will be fine! every 4 -6 weeks is unnecessary.

[Aunt Sally]

I agree with Foxy twice a year should be fine for most flocks !