Detecting Worms In Your Chicken: What To Look For

If you're concerned that your chicken might have worms, there are several signs you can look out for. Firstly, check your chicken's droppings; healthy droppings should be fairly firm and rounded with two distinct sections. If you notice loose droppings, this could be a sign of worms. Another indication is weight loss or failure to gain weight. Additionally, the yolks of their eggs may appear pale, and the chicken may exhibit lethargy and a drooping appearance. If you suspect worms, it is important to separate the chicken from the flock and consult a veterinarian. They can perform a fecal exam to detect worm eggs and provide appropriate treatment options.

Chicken worm types: roundworm, gizzard worm, hair worm, caecal worm, tapeworm, etc

Chicken worms are a common issue for poultry owners, and while they are usually nothing to worry about, they can become a problem if left untreated. There are several types of worms that can affect chickens, and they are often transmitted from chicken to chicken via infested droppings.

Roundworm

Roundworms are common and are the largest worms affecting poultry. They are thick, white, and can grow up to 12 cm in length. These worms can cause intestinal impaction and even lead to fatalities in severe cases. Roundworms are usually transmitted via infested droppings, but they can also be picked up from carriers like earthworms.

Gizzard Worm

Gizzard worms primarily affect ducks and geese, causing depression, anaemia, weight loss, and stunted growth. They are slim and reddish in colour. Gizzard worms are transmitted via intermediate hosts such as slugs, snails, or earthworms.

Hair Worm

Hair worms are small, thread-like, and barely visible to the naked eye. They can cause diarrhoea, depression, and wasting in chickens. Hair worms are transmitted via infested droppings, and their eggs can remain viable for months in the environment.

Caecal Worm

Caecal worms can carry a protozoan organism, Histomonas meleagridis, also known as blackhead, which can be fatal to turkeys. They live in the gut and can cause severe enteritis and weight loss. Caecal worms are transmitted via infested droppings, and their eggs can remain viable for long periods.

Tapeworm

Tapeworms are less common in poultry, and they do not usually present a health hazard unless present in significant numbers. They are flat, segmented, ribbon-like worms that attach themselves to the wall of the gut. Tapeworms are transmitted via intermediate hosts such as slugs, snails, and beetles.

Gapeworm

Gapeworms are a particular problem for young pheasants and turkey poults, but other birds can be affected as well. Infected birds will have open beaks, gasping for breath, and stretching their necks. Gapeworms are transmitted via intermediate hosts such as slugs, snails, or earthworms.

Prevention and Treatment

To prevent worm infestations, it is important to maintain good coop hygiene and keep the area dry and clean. Regularly move your chickens to new grazing areas and rotate their pastures to prevent the build-up of worm eggs. There are various treatments available for worms, including herbal remedies, traditional medications, and veterinary drugs such as flubendazole and flubenvet.

Chicken worm causes: worm eggs, worm-infected bugs, droppings from another bird, etc

Chicken worms are caused by parasites that live in the digestive tract of chickens. These parasites can be transmitted to chickens in several ways, including through worm eggs, worm-infected bugs, or droppings from other infected birds.

Worm eggs are often ingested by chickens when they eat something contaminated with the eggs. These eggs can lie dormant in the soil for up to a year, making it easy for chickens to come into contact with them. Wet, warm, and muddy areas are ideal breeding grounds for worm eggs, so it's important to keep the chicken coop clean, dry, and well-ventilated. Regular deep cleaning and the use of products like Coop Recuperate can help keep worm eggs at bay.

In addition to ingesting worm eggs, chickens can also become infected by eating worm-infected bugs or insects. This can include earthworms, slugs, snails, grasshoppers, flies, and more. These insects act as intermediate hosts for the worms, carrying the parasites that will infect chickens when they are eaten. Keeping flies and other insects away from the coop is crucial in preventing the spread of worms.

Another common cause of chicken worms is infected droppings from other birds. When chickens come into contact with contaminated faeces, they can ingest the worm eggs and become infected themselves. This is why it's important to regularly clean the litter in the coop and rotate the ground to prevent the build-up of worm eggs in one spot. Moving chickens to different free-ranging spots can also help minimise the risk of infection.

While it is challenging to completely avoid parasitical worms, implementing these preventative measures can significantly reduce the chances of a major infestation. Regular cleaning, rotating grazing areas, and maintaining a dry and well-ventilated coop can create an unfavourable environment for worm eggs and infected insects. Additionally, keeping chickens healthy and stress-free can help them better tolerate and manage a reasonable worm load.

Chicken worm symptoms: lethargy, weight loss, pale comb and wattles, gasping for breath, etc

Chicken worms are parasitical worms that inhabit the trachea and lungs of the bird, making it difficult for them to breathe. Gapeworm, for instance, is a type of worm that causes chickens to gasping for breath and stretch their necks. Other symptoms of worms in chickens include lethargy, weight loss, pale combs and wattles, and diarrhoea.

Chicken worms are usually ingested by chickens when they eat worm-infected bugs, worm eggs, or larvae on their food or in the droppings of another bird. They can also be transmitted from chicken to chicken via egg-infested droppings. While a healthy chicken can tolerate a worm, if its immune system is compromised, a parasite (worm) can multiply quickly and cause illness or even death.

To prevent worms in your chickens, it is important to maintain good coop hygiene. This includes keeping the coop fresh, dry, and free of flies, which can carry worm eggs. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting the coop and changing the bedding frequently can help minimise the chances of worm eggs developing. It is also important to prevent wet, warm, muddy areas from developing in the chicken run, as this is the ideal breeding environment for worm eggs.

If you suspect your chicken has worms, you should separate it from the flock to prevent the spread of infection and consult a veterinarian. They may recommend a fecal test to identify the type of worms and determine the appropriate treatment. Traditional medications, natural pre-made wormers, or herbal treatments can be used to treat worms in chickens.

Chicken worm prevention: clean coop, dry conditions, short grass, fresh bedding, etc

Chicken worms are a common issue, and while a healthy chicken can tolerate a reasonable worm burden, overpopulation can cause illness and even death. Worm eggs cannot develop in dry, cold, or hot conditions. Therefore, keeping the chicken coop dry and well-drained is crucial for preventing worms. Regularly clean and disinfect the coop, feeders, and waterers, and avoid wet and muddy conditions.

Maintaining short grass is essential, as sunlight destroys worm eggs. Mowing the lawn exposes dormant worms to strong UV rays, killing them. Additionally, ensure fresh bedding by changing it regularly. Infected chicken droppings can contain worms seeking a new host, so keeping the bedding clean is vital.

To prevent worm infestations, regularly move your chickens to fresh ground or a new grazing area. This ensures they do not continually ingest worm eggs from their droppings. Using ground sanitizers, such as Net-Tex Ground Sanitizing Powder, can also help prevent the buildup of worm larvae.

It is important to note that chickens can become drug-resistant with overexposure to worming treatments. Therefore, it is recommended to separate infected chickens from the flock and consult a poultry vet before administering any medications.

Chicken worm treatment: flubendazole, apple cider vinegar, garlic, turmeric, veterinary medicine, etc

Chicken worms are very common, and as long as they are monitored and treated, they will usually not have a long-lasting effect on the birds. Infected chickens will eat a lot but lose weight, and their egg production will be affected. Their combs and wattles will also become pale, and they will become lethargic and droopy.

If you suspect your chicken has worms, separate it from the flock to prevent the spread of worms and consult a vet. A fecal test can be done to determine the type of worm and the best treatment method. Traditional medications can be used to treat worms, but there are also natural pre-made wormers and herbal treatments.

Flubendazole

Flubendazole (brand name Flubenvet) is a licensed medicine for treating worms in avians in the UK. It is a prescription-only medicine that can be sold by vets, pharmacists, and SQPs or RAMAs. It is effective against gapeworm, large roundworm, caecal worm, hairworm, and gizzard worm in chickens, turkeys, and geese. It is not licensed for tapeworm. To administer flubendazole, replace all food with the medicated feed for 7 days.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a natural wormer that some claim treats worms by increasing the acidity in the intestines. It is also believed to help strengthen birds against infection. However, there is a lack of scientific studies on the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar in treating worms in chickens.

Garlic

Garlic is another popular natural treatment for worms in chickens. It can help get rid of roundworms (Ascaridia galli) and can be used to treat coccidiosis and ascites. A commercial garlic treatment is commonly used in Europe for treating worms in organic layer farms.

Turmeric

A 2015 study found that turmeric helped to reduce the length and width of roundworms in the digestive tract of chickens. High concentrations of turmeric helped to heal the chicken and restore the intestinal lining. Turmeric can also be used to treat mycotoxins and ascites.

Veterinary Medicine

If you suspect your chicken has worms, it is recommended to consult a vet. They can advise on the best course of treatment, which may include traditional medications or dewormers. It is important to use caution when using dewormers, as over-exposure can lead to drug resistance in chickens.

Frequently asked questions