[Andt]

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?

[jaykay]

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.

[Hopewell]

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.

[northfifeduckling]

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?
 

[Hopewell]

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.

[northfifeduckling]

sounds good as I find the powder hard to dose exactly, will ask my feed merchant next time. 

[Andt]

Thanks all for your advice.

[ellied]

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?

[shearling]

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.

[northfifeduckling]

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.

[Womble]

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!

[northfifeduckling]

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 

[clumbaboy]

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. 

[plumseverywhere]

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!

[Hopewell]

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.