[Pomona]

My first hens will be joining the family on Sunday (and no, not for dinner!  ).  I'm picking up my Black Rock pullets from the breeder in Kinross-shire and am a one third terrified, one third hyper with excitement, and one third in super-organisational "have I got everything ready"? mode!

I'm concentrating on that last third just now, and with that in mind, just wondered if it would be an idea to worm them upon arrival?  It's something I plan doing twice a year in the spring and in the autumn, but wondered if, because they're coming from a farm environment to their new home, it would be an idea to just worm them now, and to also give them some tonic as a wee boost (can you/should you do both at the same time?    )

[minidax]

Will be interested to hear the replies as only had my Black Rock's a few weeks.  Don't be terrified, they are brilliant!!!  I just think they are great and I doubt if I will have 'only 10' for very long!!!! 

As a treat they have a tin of sardines, not each, shared between the ten of them and the dogs have a bit too!!!  (Tip from Rosemary from her course!)

[doganjo]

I wormed my rescue ex batts after they had settled in with the stuff Rosemary recommended - it's a monthly one, and just goes in their food.  very easy (is it Vermex or something lek that?)  when they arrived I gave them a supplement as they were virtually featherless and their combs were very pale. Porridge oats with honey and milk, and sardines too.  Rosemary also mentioned a spice but I've never been able to find that.  Anyway they are very strong healthy birds now, and so friendly. 

[Wellieboots]

Verm-x is a natural "poultry tonic" that comes in either liquid or pellet form. It technically cannot be classed as a wormer as it hasn't undergone the necessary trials (unlike Fluvenvet which is a classified wormer available from your local friendly agri-store). Verm-x is given once a month for 3 consecutive days and in my experience does help but I have found a worm in poo last year so it isn't infalible (sp?!) but as it is a natural based product it is better if you are looking at the chemical free route.

Worms are likely if your chooks are totally free ranging as they will peck at everything so Verm-x is as good a way as any to naturally help their immune system and keep them (relatively) worm free.

Also think of using a tonic added to their water like Life Guard tonic that you dilute into their drinking water. Other folks swear by garlic cloves in the water etc. so takes yer chioce!

Oh and enjoy the daft buggers!!

[Rosemary]

We used to use Flubenvet but now use VermX for both sheep and poultry. I use faecal worm counts for the sheep but don't think they do chooks!

If I see any worms, I will use Flubenvet once as a clearout but so far, so good.

[teggy]

i v used flubenvet once but went back to verm x and use it every month i soak mine on whole meal bread i no then that the chickens eat it all ... i also put a splash of apple cider vinegar in with water ... someone told me it was good for them ....  enjoy your new chickens...

[MrRee]

I have a 2ltr plastic bottle,half filled with water and about 8 crushed garlic cloves sat in it for months. The water absolutely stinks,but the chickens don't mind a few drops in their water each each day. I also add a few drops of cider vinegar too. Haven't had any worms since I bought them a year ago. The pigs get the same treatment too!...... Ree

[chickchris]

Many thanks for the tip on garlic water! I have been looking for advice about this as I have used garlic in a natural diet for dogs for the same purpose - I am certainly going to give this a go - Wonderful!