DE as a wormer

[ross]

Interesting that works for some & not for others . Seeing there's no real dosage listed as in chemical wormers could be the reason . No idea .

[SandyM]

I have been adding DE to feed from day one...natural wormer etc. However. Recently an adult round worm was found in a on my tarp from coop ... That is a very clear message to me. DE didn't work. An adult worm to boot. I haven't added DE since to their feed.

[ross]

Have you had any samples anylized from your birds to see what they have Sandy ? If I found a worm as big as one in your pic no matter what wormer I used personally I'd take a sample of some others to vet & get a professional opinion & remedy . Doesn't have to be a poultry vet .

[SandyM]

Do they just do microscope Ross? I have my own here and was thinking of making up some slides and googling my way through.

I could def take into my local vet - he has a farm counter.

[ross]

Up to you . But Google does not make you a vet . Luck

[SandyM]

Nope, I'm not a vet and neither would the person doing the tests...Vet techs.

[ross]

Experience people they are under vet supervising if needed but do what ever you want you asked I said . If it was as easy as Google every one could/would do it . Are you a vet tech ?

[Robbie]

I worm chickens (adults) twice a year. Fenbendazole in spring, ivermectin in the fall, is my program. I Didn't need to do fenbendazole this spring (chicks only). But they will get it in the spring now that they are adults. Dogs and cat get Drontal twice a year (Ouch $$$) because of the raw meat diet they are on.

[Arbor]

Since adding de to my flocks' feed, I've noticed a significant increase in vitality in my chickens. The guy I bought my de from says he takes it himself in oj every morning - not as a wormer, but he says he's noticed an overall improvement on how he feels. So whether it works as a wormer or not, I'm not sure, but my hens seem generally healthier. I may do some samples in the spring, but their crap looks healthier already.

[Jaye]

Well, looks like you've all given me lots of food for thought.
I just finished treating mine with Ivermectin because I found scaly leg mites on one of my birds, so I don't think I'll experiment with adding DE to their feed as a wormer just yet anyway.