[FiB]

...on the worming front - is it a must? Do people raising organically worm systematically?  I had read that if not regularly wormed (which our old inherited flock most certainly hasnt been - probably never!)  then the toxins released by killing the worms could be harmful....  what to do??  All my chooks seem happy and healthy and I want to give as little medication as possible. They are kept so low density (4 chooks on 10 acres!), does that make a difference?  Same question for my pigs too ( we have four on a 2 acre field that has never had pigs on it before and they will be slaughtered at bacon weight).  Such a minefield - what drugs are a 'must do', and what a 'could or should do' under certain circumstances ?

[robert waddell]

we do not worm our hens   but i suspect the layers pellets will contain some thing  not organic or organic feed
pigs if you can get a load of garlic and feed it to your pigs they the worms vacate the host or so i have been told

[Rosemary]

We plan to worm our hens twice a year  - May and November (after the first frosts) - with Flubenvet layer pellets from Marriages. They are stocked and rotated in line with Soil Association standards so we worm test prior to when the worming is due and if it's not needed we don't bother.

We've only ever had weaner pigs for six months then the ground rested for 6 months and we've never womed them.

Ponies we worm test twice a year - April and October and worm if required, usually for tapeworm in November time.

[JEP]

there is people how worm the chicken with garlic
only too much the eggs taste of garlic

[FiB]

Mmmm - I like garlic and I like eggs!!  (I s'pose could be not so good in cakes....)   Thanks for advice and reassurance all, still interested if anyone has experience/thoughts on very old unwormed hens (re the toxins) , but guess I might have to start thinking about egg counts etc when my little flock grows in November (looking forward to rehoming some ex battery hens).

[Sylvia]

I put Verm-X in their water every week or so....well, alright, every time I remember to Mine seem fine. I also rotate their grass encosures.

[Castle Farm]

Never wormed a bird in 40 years plus.and never found any..I use cider Vinegar.