Chickens can be infested with many types of worms, with Threadworm being the most common.
But what about Heartworm?
As most dog, cat and ferret owners are aware, Heartworm needs to be treated monthly, like clockwork.
Heartworm is spread via mosquito bites accessing the blood stream. It is not a contagious disease, it must be spread by biting insect to enter the blood. So no place is safe for our four legged friends when mozzies come calling.
The larvae work their way through the blood stream to the heart and develop into adults. Its there that the adults can put a serious squeeze on the heart and arteries. Dogs with a case of heartworm disease start out with mild symptoms like coughing and exercise intolerance but later develop full blown cardiomyopathy (with swelling in the limbs, fluid buildup in the lungs, and reluctance to move as the dog becomes quickly exhausted)
But what about chickens?
You can relax about this one, as chickens are not prone to Heartworm.
Just as dogs and cats need regular worming, so do all poultry.
Schedule poultry worming for every 3 months.
This can be more frequently done if your birds are having frequent reoccurring infections of worms, which may indicate a soil based source, or introduction from the wild bird population (which will need to be controlled).
Please DO NOT USE Advocate or other dog and cat wormers on chickens as the active ingredient in these products are fatal to birds.
But what about Heartworm?
As most dog, cat and ferret owners are aware, Heartworm needs to be treated monthly, like clockwork.
Heartworm is spread via mosquito bites accessing the blood stream. It is not a contagious disease, it must be spread by biting insect to enter the blood. So no place is safe for our four legged friends when mozzies come calling.
The larvae work their way through the blood stream to the heart and develop into adults. Its there that the adults can put a serious squeeze on the heart and arteries. Dogs with a case of heartworm disease start out with mild symptoms like coughing and exercise intolerance but later develop full blown cardiomyopathy (with swelling in the limbs, fluid buildup in the lungs, and reluctance to move as the dog becomes quickly exhausted)
But what about chickens?
You can relax about this one, as chickens are not prone to Heartworm.
Just as dogs and cats need regular worming, so do all poultry.
Schedule poultry worming for every 3 months.
This can be more frequently done if your birds are having frequent reoccurring infections of worms, which may indicate a soil based source, or introduction from the wild bird population (which will need to be controlled).
Please DO NOT USE Advocate or other dog and cat wormers on chickens as the active ingredient in these products are fatal to birds.
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