The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Andt on August 22, 2011, 09:14:20 pm

Title: Worming Hens.
Post by: Andt on August 22, 2011, 09:14:20 pm
I am currently worming my hens with Flubenvet powder as I can still eat the eggs, can anyone recommend an additive to out in to the water to worm my hens as I feel this is a more accurate way of making sure each bird gets wormed. I would also like to be able to still eat the eggs.

I've heard that Cider vinegar can be used to worm hens, is this true?
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: jaykay on August 22, 2011, 10:07:37 pm
I think cider vinegar is just a tonic, I've never heard it being an effective wormer.
As for stuff in the water, I don't think it's any more reliable than food to be honest. They will still vary in how much they drink, or find water elsewhere.

What I do find helps is Marriage's premixed food containing flubenvet - takes the hassle and error out of me trying to mix small amounts of powder into layers pellets.
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: Hopewell on August 22, 2011, 10:24:15 pm
Solubenol is the same stuff but in oily liquid form. It comes in large sachets and needs to go in a large amount of water - well far too much if you only have a few chickens. Once the packet is open you are supposed to use it the same day. We did try using half a packet one day and then half the next and it seemed to work ok. You have to do it over the week as you would flubenvet and you can still eat the eggs.
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 23, 2011, 02:44:59 pm

What I do find helps is Marriage's premixed food containing flubenvet - takes the hassle and error out of me trying to mix small amounts of powder into layers pellets.

now how exactly does that work - do you give it every day as a preventative or every few months as if you mix the powder into the feed yourself? What kind of feed is it mixed with?
 :chook: :&>
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: Hopewell on August 23, 2011, 03:02:53 pm
With the medicated feed you would feed it instead of what you normally feed for 1 week. Repeat as often as the chickens require worming.
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 23, 2011, 03:10:38 pm
sounds good as I find the powder hard to dose exactly, will ask my feed merchant next time.  :&>
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: Andt on August 23, 2011, 09:13:26 pm
Thanks all for your advice.
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: ellied on August 30, 2011, 09:06:12 am
How often do you worm hens? 

I've had mine 5 weeks now and am not sure when they were previously done so am wanting to do them but looking at the Marriages feed as an option easiest for me to manage, with only 4 birds would I be wasting the rest of a bag between worming intervals?
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: shearling on August 30, 2011, 09:13:41 am
We were advised by the vet not to bother worming at all. We have three full grown (two laying) and 10 chooks. Vet said only worth it if you have a lot or are marketing the eggs.
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 30, 2011, 09:42:09 am
first time I am hearing that!  ??? ???

If you decide to do it, Ellie, we could share a bag. I'd try it as I hated mixing the powder into the feed. :&>
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: Womble on August 30, 2011, 09:46:07 am
I hated mixing the powder into the feed. :&>

Is it really that bad?

I just mix the scoop's worth in thoroughly with a cupful of feed, then mix the cupful into half a bucket, then the half bucket into two buckets. Not perfect perhaps, but it seems to work as well as any method!
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 30, 2011, 10:56:33 am
I find it hard to judge getting the amount right - you don't want to give them too much but also no ineffective dose. A bit much fuzz and guesswork for my taste. I'd happily try the premix  ;) :&>
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: clumbaboy on August 30, 2011, 04:08:13 pm
Hi
  I have just used the premix for the first time and I am now converted.  It is £11 for a 20kg bag with £6.50 next day delivery anywhere in country, they do a smaller 10kg bag as well, found it by googling marriages chicken feeds, you may find a supplier closer to you and not have to pay the carriage. 
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 30, 2011, 08:32:58 pm
We use the marriages pre-mix twice a year (spring and autumn) was advised by domestic fowl trust not to feed the usual titbits that we give our hens for the worming week as it helps ensure they are only eating the wormer/pellets.  Never had any problems with it - brilliant stuff!
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: Hopewell on August 30, 2011, 11:46:05 pm
We were advised by the vet not to bother worming at all. We have three full grown (two laying) and 10 chooks. Vet said only worth it if you have a lot or are marketing the eggs.
But a small group can still get worms.
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 31, 2011, 07:02:03 am
especially if they are free rangeing  :&>
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: shearling on August 31, 2011, 09:00:35 am
We were advised by the vet not to bother worming at all. We have three full grown (two laying) and 10 chooks. Vet said only worth it if you have a lot or are marketing the eggs.
But a small group can still get worms.

True but in our neck of the woods worming is only recomended if there is a serious problem from them and all animals including our sheep do not get done. The only ones who do are the dogs and the cat - because they eat rucbbish when they scamper off in the fields.
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: cairnhill on August 31, 2011, 09:29:08 pm
Marriages Layers with Flubenvet is great stuff but I did have to get mine through internet as nearest stockist to me was Glasgow.  Recommend worming twice a year. 
Title: Re: Worming Hens.
Post by: shearling on August 31, 2011, 09:45:31 pm
Recommend worming twice a year. 

Why?