Tapeworms in hens

[William_Montgomery]

Does anybody have any knowledge on an effective treatment for tapeworms in hens?

I've had a scout online but not finding anything particularly definitive. Flubendazole seems to be the main worming treatment, but I've heard it's not that good for tapeworms. Verm-X is another one, but I'm unsure how effective it is. I've got some apple cider vinegar coming this week.

If there are any experienced poultry keepers out there who have dealt with this problem, I'd surely appreciate your input. Thanks.

 

[British Red]

Flubendazole doesn't work on tapeworm, Depending on type fenbendazole is effective

Fenbendazole for Chickens and Ducks

Fenbendazole (brand names Panacur® and Safe-Guard®) is a benzimidazole anthelmintic used 'off label' to treat a variety of intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms, flukes, certain types of tapeworms, and Giardia) in pet poultry. Fenbendazole can be administered to each chicken orally by syringe...

poultrydvm.com

 

[William_Montgomery]

Flubendazole doesn't work on tapeworm, Depending on type fenbendazole is effective

Fenbendazole for Chickens and Ducks

Fenbendazole (brand names Panacur® and Safe-Guard®) is a benzimidazole anthelmintic used 'off label' to treat a variety of intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms, flukes, certain types of tapeworms, and Giardia) in pet poultry. Fenbendazole can be administered to each chicken orally by syringe...

poultrydvm.com

Cheers, Red. That's good to know. That's a shame about not giving it to poultry actively growing feathers. Ours are all regrowing them from their time as commercial layers. But I will look into it.

Have you ever used the Verm-X supplement?

 

[Big Si]

Not kept chickens for a while but an old boy recommended to me to put a bit of TCP in there drinking water once a month and that seemed to work.

Si

 

[gra_farmer]

We used to have 60 odd hens, one of the old tricks was to put a tea spoon of thin bleach per one liter of water to clear out parasites, and then after a few days one tea spoon per 5 liters, up to 7 days in total, then move over to apple cider vinegar there after.

Repeat as needed. It seemed to work, but you will need to move the hens after the first three days, as there will be worms in that area.

 

[British Red]

Cheers, Red. That's good to know. That's a shame about not giving it to poultry actively growing feathers. Ours are all regrowing them from their time as commercial layers. But I will look into it.

Have you ever used the Verm-X supplement?

I've used similar (suppliers & sponsors send lots of stuff). There's no harm in it but if they are getting a good diet it should be unnecessary & it's definitely no substitute for proper medicines. Flubenvet for round worm and gape worm, Ivermectin or Exzolt & Dergall for lice, mites etc. are the way to go - ask any specialist poultry vet (and there aren't many - we are lucky enough to know a couple)

 

[FerlasDave]

Flubendazole doesn't work on tapeworm, Depending on type fenbendazole is effective

Fenbendazole for Chickens and Ducks

Fenbendazole (brand names Panacur® and Safe-Guard®) is a benzimidazole anthelmintic used 'off label' to treat a variety of intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms, flukes, certain types of tapeworms, and Giardia) in pet poultry. Fenbendazole can be administered to each chicken orally by syringe...

poultrydvm.com

That is interesting, my father always used flubenvet layers pellets once every 4 months or so and it seemed to do the job. Maybe they never contracted tapeworm specifically? Ill bear that in mind for the future.

 

[Ystranc]

Tapeworm are rarely a problem for hens, roundworm and gape worm are more common but easier to treat by adding wormer to their drinking water.
To treat tapeworm use thiabendazol at 75mg per kilo orally repeated after two weeks but you must confine them and completely clear away all faecal waste from their enclosure regularly to prevent reinfection. Tapeworm require an intermediate host to infect chickens such as slugs or snails. Try to reduce their access to slugs and snails until you have the problem under control.
Be aware that you will also have to treat (using species appropriate wormers) and clean up after other animals such as the household dogs or grazing livestock if they’ve also been exposed to avoid re infection.

 

[British Red]

That is interesting, my father always used flubenvet layers pellets once every 4 months or so and it seemed to do the job. Maybe they never contracted tapeworm specifically? Ill bear that in mind for the future.

Flubenvet is the best prophylactic treatment, tapeworms don't have a single overarching remedy although Fenbendazole gets a couple of the most common

 

[William_Montgomery]

I appreciate the input. I'll do some some further research on all the above.

Pretty sure it's a tapeworm, but I'll put up an image to see if you guys can confirm.