[PJM]

Hello all, What age should new chicks, be wormed from? And also what about louse or mite dusting? I am expecting my Chicks in 8 to 10 weeks, and want to make sure they get the best start in life, with no itchy things inside or out.

[chicksforkicks]

some hatcheries worm them the day they are born, but im guesing if you need to you can wait a while, but not to long.
 
Aunt Sally seems like she knows quite a bit more than me. maybe shell be along

[PJM]

some hatcheries worm them the day they are born, but im guesing if you need to you can wait a while, but not to long.
 
Aunt Sally seems like she knows quite a bit more than me. maybe shell be along

Thanks chicksforkicks, don't think mine will have been done on day of hatching, but I will ask the lady if she has. So if not they can be done from a young age, and certainly from the 8-10 weeks that I get mine.
Regards Pete

[Aunt Sally]

Worming chickens is an interesting subject.  I have never had chicks so have no experience there.  I would say your 8-10 week old birds could be wormed if you wish.

The frequency of worming depends on the risks of your birds picking up worms.

If you have lots of chickens on land which has housed birds for a long time then the risks of picking up worms are high and chickens should be wormed about every 3 months.

If you only have a few (back yard) hens the the risk is very low and once every 6 months is quite adequate.  The only way these hens would contract gut worms is from wild birds.  Lung worm (gape worm) can be contracted from worms, slugs and snail too.

My two hens have lived in my garden for two years,  OH checks their dropping for me every 6 months (he's a diagnostic parasitologist - try saying that after you've had a few) and he has never found any sign of worms at all !

If you have any suspicion that your hens may have worms then treat them straight away no matter when they were done last.

[alan42]

in 20 odd years of keeping chickens ducks turkeys quail geese phesant  i have never wormed once and never seen worms in chickens and i dont know of anybody in my area that does worm them and i have a lot of friends who breed birds for showing as i once did. i am defenatly not saying you shouldent it is just an observation.
alan

[Aunt Sally]

That proves my point Alan.  It just depends on your personal risk circumstances.  Munty wormed his every 3 months but kept 180 birds on land that has been used for chickens for yonks !