[ActionFlack]

Hi everyone.
I'm aware that there are some fairly polarised views regarding the wormers that are used by chicken keepers. I'm trying to avoid using chemicals in any of the food/treatments that I give to my hens.
Could I ask for opinions on verm-x, especially from those who use, or have used it?

Thanks.

Adam

[Aunt Sally]

I've not used Verm-x but have used Flubenvet which is very effective against all parasites and is not deposited in the eggs.

Verm-x contains a wide variety of plant materials.  Most of which are quite toxic.  It needs to be used every month.  It doesn't treat against lung worm or tape worm.

[Springlands]

I have used verm-x in the past but do not think that it is very effective. As Aunt sally said you would be better to use Flubenvet.

[Casey76]

As far as I'm aware there have been no formal clinical trials done for the safety and efficacy for Verm-x.  Most of the data available are purely anecdotal.

Verm-x is purported to work by making the GI tract unsuitable for the worms to live in, and *may* prevent infection.  However it *may* not kill any existing worm population.

Flubendazole is a tried and tested pharmaceutical product which has an excellent safety profile.  The drug is very safe to use, and has a large therapeutic window (which means that you have to give a very large overdose before it becomes unsafe).  Flubendazole will kill any existing worm pupulation, and is easily administered via food.

If you do go down the route of herbal worming, I strongly recommend you treat with flubendazole at least once a year to be on the safe side.

[ActionFlack]

Thank you all. Funny enough there's another thread talking about flubenvet- I'm just looking online to get some (and some food as I'm about the run out!).
How often do they need to take this? I'm currently giving them a 3 day course of verm-x each month (which I'll stop after this months' tomorrow).

[Aunt Sally]

Have a read of this:  http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=4348.0

[ActionFlack]

Thank you