Description
Parasite problem in your flock can lead to unhealthy birds, lower egg production and potentially life-threatening diseases if not dealt with properly. There is no point in giving worming drugs unnecessarily; with only one licensed wormer for domestic birds, repeated exposure will only speed the development of drug resistance.
Using worm counts:
You can choose to test individual birds or to test a composite sample from groups that are housed together. We advise submitting one sample for every 10-15 birds max if using this method with a larger flock.
Test every three months to use targeted worm control for your chickens. Choose a time when your chickens have not been recently wormed as this could give a false negative result.
When can a worm count be useful?
Test late in the year during or after the moult, so that you know your birds are going into the winter worm free.
Test January to March ready for the breeding season to ensure good egg production in Spring.
Test newly acquired stock so you know what they might be bringing into the coop.
Test an individual you are concerned about
Test to ensure peak health during the laying season
Weighing up the costs:
The main aim of using a targeted programme is to have healthier chickens with good worm control but one of the side benefits is that it is usually a less expensive option.
As an added benefit you aren’t putting unnecessary chemicals into animals that might eventually end up in the food chain through their meat or eggs. Using fewer chemical is also better for the environment.
The tests:
Our worm test gets sent directly to Westgate labs who use the industry standard modified McMaster egg count method including a centrifuge for worm egg counts – far superior to simple strained methods which you might find elsewhere.
How to take a sample:
Simply collect fresh dropping from several places in the hen house, using the large plastic bag provided.
Mix together will by squeezing the bag.
Fill the sample container using the mixed droppings sample.
Label with your own name and email address for the result to be sent.
Post with the completed voucher in the pre-paid padded bag.
Your results:
The test results will be emailed to you with guidance on any necessary action required.
