Your hens need worming too!

Just like other pets and farm animals, ‘backyard’ chickens need to be dewormed regularly to protect them from the threat of internal parasites. There are many types of internal and external parasites which may affect your laying hens and each type can cause different symptoms. However, as parasites have evolved with birds over millions of years, some can complete their lifecycle in your chickens without necessarily causing any obvious signs, making it even more important that you proactively protect your hens against them.

All chickens can become infected with worms

Birds that are in contact with their own faeces, including free-range and outdoor chickens, are all at risk of becoming infected with parasitic worms1. Parasitic worm eggs and larvae can be brought into contact with hens via multiple routes, including by adhering to clothing and footwear, litter, feedbags, wild birds and insects2. As free-range chickens are more exposed to wild birds, these hens are at greater risk of exposure to parasitic worms.

Key signs of worms to look out for in your chickens, include1,2:

  • Eggs with pale yolks

  • Fragile shelled eggs

  • Reduced egg production

  • Diarrhoea

  • Reduced appetite and weight loss

  • Generally appearing dull and depressed

In severe cases, some birds may die. However, many chickens display no obvious symptoms of infection2, especially if you are new to owning hens so have not monitored these signs before. Although adult worms may sometimes be visible in faeces, parasitic worm eggs can be difficult to detect as faecal egg counts are not necessarily representative of the true worm burden, especially for moderate infestations3. Furthermore, damage to your birds can occur prior to any signs of infection, so it is key to control the problem before it is visible.

Worm your chickens at least 4 times a year

Your hens should be wormed at least 4 times per year. If your flock becomes heavily infested, they should be re-treated every 3 weeks4. Regularly worming not only manages any immediate infection but continues to lower the potential for re-infection, as it is always better to control parasitic worms before the problem becomes evident. Worming must continue throughout your hens’ lives to benefit their gut health, as well as helping to prevent environmental build up for any future chickens. You should use a broad-spectrum wormer that covers all the life stages of all major parasitic worms that could affect your birds, to ensure your hens receive broad protection. In-feed wormers are available in small pots for your convenience if you only own a few hens.

What else can you do to help protect your hens from parasitic worms?

As well as worming your chickens regularly, there are other steps you can take to minimise your hens’ exposure to worms1:

  • Reduce standing water in their pen, by fencing off wet areas or moving their coop periodically

  • Keep feeders and drinkers clean, moving them regularly

  • Keep grass short to allow maximum exposure of worm eggs to sunlight, as UV rays can kill parasitic worm eggs

  • Minimise contact between your chickens and wild birds or other animals

  • Practice good biosecurity by changing footwear and clothing from those you wear around the house when entering your chickens’ pen

  • Always wash your hands before and after interaction with poultry

References

  1. Knott, C., Lister, S. and Hammond, P. (2009). Worms in Free-Range Hens.

  2. McKay, S. (2011). Common Poultry Worms.

  3. DaÅŸ. G., SavaÅŸ, T., Kaufmann, F., Idris, A., Abel, H. and Gauly, M. (2011). Precision, repeatability and representative ability of faecal egg counts in Heterakis gallinarum infected chickens. Vet Parasitol., 183(1-2), pp.87-94

  4. Flubenvet 1% Datasheet

Advice on the use of Flubenvet or alternative medicines must be sought from the medicine prescriber. Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible. Elanco UK AH Limited, Form 2, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook RG27 9XA. Telephone: 01256 353131. Email: [email protected]

Flubenvet, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. © 2021 Elanco or its affiliates. Date of preparation: 04/2021. EM-UK-21-0041

Written by: Rosie Booth VetMB MRCVS (Guest Author)