Chicken worms - ew

[ancee]

Hi chicken keepers, I've noticed one of my girls has worms in her droppings. I put cider apple vinegar in their water and went out and bought Vermx herbal remedy. It doesn't say that it's for worms though. I googled this and apparently they're not allowed to as it's herbal and organic? Poultry forums are suggesting I get some chemical remedy from the vets, but can't at their eggs while I am treating them. I don't really want to start using chemicals on them, and have put my faith (and cash!) into the the herbal one which goes into their water for 3 days a month. Am I doing the right thing or do you suggest chemicals?
If only chemicals will help them, then of course I will go and get them some. But if herbal remedies work just as well then I'd like to stick to that.
I just want them to be happy and healthy!
Also, do you recommend stopping giving them slugs and snails, as this it seems, is a common cause of them getting the worms in the first place? They do love them though! It's like wacky races in there when I throw them in!

[Nicos]

I've only kept chooks for 4/5 years but from what I've read and heard and seen posted on here by peeps more experienced than me , Flubenvet is the only thing to irradicate worms.
I don't think the slugs and worms are the cause- more likely wild bird droppings.

There is no egg withdrawal with Flubenvet.

[Glutton4...]

The herbal products are OK as a preventative measure, but you will almost certainly need to worm them. Twice a year is usual, I believe, or three times if they stay on the same patch of land all the time.

M@rr!ages in Chelmsford make a Layers' Pellet with Flubenvet already in. If you call or email them they'll post you a bag the right size for your flock, or your local stockist will be able to get it for you.

[Scarlet]

Flubenvet all the way for me. I've never bothered with vermex. A chickens health is more important although I do use ACV once a month and garlic in their water.
....and I would never feed my chickens slugs or snails (sorry!) obviously they eat them if they find them theirselves but I wouldn't collect for them.

[Scarlet]

Poultry forums are suggesting I get some chemical remedy from the vets, but can't at their eggs while I am treating them.

With flubenvet there is no egg withdrawal. When you use it don't give any treats...not even a few leaves.

if you are feeding treats regularly, veg scraps etc and if you've had chickens that are heavily burdened with worms it's wise to feed everything from a bowl unless you can move them and treat your ground with lime?

[ancee]

Thanks for all of the help guys. I'll get some flubenvet, and take the other advice on board No slugs or snails Scarlet? I only started giving them them as others on here said it's how they deal with their slug and snail problem! I don't like giving them any worms I find, as I feel sorry for the worms even though I know the chickens love them!

[Scarlet]

No slugs or snails Scarlet?

Well, that's just me, I don't give many other treats either I met someone several months ago that treated her hens to cream on their porridge and left over Sunday lunch, they were her pets!!!?? I really wasn't surprised that they hardly laid an egg between them, they certainly weren't healthy!

Mine get layers in the morning, a sprinkle of corn late afternoon (and that's just a handful!) and I chuck in weeds occasionally.