silly question

[DippyEgg]

I would prefer to ask this question without any name attached because it's so basic - how do you know when they've got worms? ( I know when the cats have them but am baffled with the chickens) I'm asking because Freda has had a very wierd poo and it sort of looked wormy. Threads (worms?) were present but they were attached to unformed pulpy something. I don't know if it's a wierd worm mess or something equally horrifying. Freda is eating happily but still broody ish and hasn't egg produced since I came home on sunday. Looking through internet, supplies of worming solution are nil, unless want to puchase industrial amount !
Also reading through other messages where can I get stalosan from as seems a good product.

[VALBURNHAM]

http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/birds/flu ... leshopping

this is the stuff you want for worming hens.

[Marigold]

Not a silly question at all - its a very important one.
If they haven't all been wormed with Flibenvet within the past 4-6 months, they will have worms. All chickens get worms, it's a fact of life. They can cope with a reasonable worm burden, but if it's left unchecked the worms will take over their gut and begin to affect health and productivity. It sounds as if perhaps you haven't made a regular practice of worming them, in which case it would be good to do them with Flubenvet as soon as possible, and on this first occasion where there sounds as if there is a buildup, do them again three weeks later to deal with any incubating worm eggs. Then subsequently every 4-6 months.
At the same time, to reduce the number of worm eggs in the floor of the run, it would certainly be good to use Stalosan, and this will sweeten the soil if it has an earth floor and help kill off some of the worm eggs which will otherwise re-infect the birds when they peck around in there.

[DippyEgg]

Have ordered the Flubenvet from the web site suggested by valburnham, thanks; had tried my usual online suppliers but had no luck. Marigold thanks for advice, I do feel very green around the edges and it does feel like having a new baby (or 3) and even though I may have the book I still need to ask, you are my midwife/healthvisitor for the 3 girls. Where do I get Stalosan from as it sounds ideal; I can keep the paving slabs part of the run clear but the earth part concerned me, we are increasing the run in the next few weeks.

[Marigold]

Those of us who started with chickens in the olden days before the internet, when there weren't even all the modern books to refer to, just had to bumble along making even more mistakes than we would have done if poultry forums had been invented. (Same went for bringing up our babies, of course.) Luckily, for me, there was an old lady in a tumbledown bungalow near us, keeping goats, ducks, geese and chickens, who was an enormous help when things went wrong, my 'health visitor' I suppose. However, I find this forum teaches me something new almost every day, and is a constant source of support and entertainment. Glad you've joined us, DippyEgg.

[VALBURNHAM]

http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/acatalog ... F_8KG.html

try here. I use stalosan F and really like it

[Philcott]

Stalosan is used by the horsey folk, so any Country Store type equine shop should have it. Better to buy it in person, it's heavy stuff and your delivery costs could be high.

[bantiekeeper]

I use Stalosan and buy it from the supplier suggested by Valburnham. I could not find a local source unfortunately. I too find it very good used on the run floor. Also dust it into the crevices round the edge of the coop floor. It will absorb any moisture present. I prop the roof of the coop open about 9" during the day to keep it aired and dry. Close it late afternoon.

[chrismahon]

Few points worth mentioning DippyEgg. If you can see worms in their poo it is chronic and you have left worming too late. Excessive yellow poos in the morning are a sign of worms -I say excessive because they all do some anyway. But when they have been wormed, even after the first day (of 7 with Flubenvet), you will see a dramatic reduction. When worming you won't see dead worms in the poo as they get digested.