How Much Ivermectin For Chickens To Control Parasites

How Much Ivermectin for Chickens?

Have you discovered a problem in your chicken coop? Do you need to know how much Ivermectin for chickens is needed to control parasites?

You’re not alone! Many backyard chicken keepers struggle with parasite infestations.

This blog post will answer all of those questions and more. We’ll delve into the different types of parasites that can affect your flock, discuss the use of Ivermectin (even though it's off-label), and provide guidance on dosage, prevention, and treatment options.

Fight Chicken Parasites with the Right Amount of Ivermectin

Found parasites in your chicken coop? Knowing the right dose of Ivermectin for chickens can help you get rid of them quickly.

Ivermectin for Chickens: What You Need to Know

Many people use Ivermectin on their chickens, but the manufacturer doesn't recommend it.

There are three types of Ivermectin products: topical, oral, and injectable. This post will only discuss the topical kind, which is usually applied as a pour-on solution.

You don't need a prescription to buy Ivermectin, but it's always best to talk to your veterinarian first.

What is Ivermectin?

Ivermectin is a medication used to treat parasites in animals like cows, goats, pigs, and horses. It comes in different forms, such as liquids you pour on or inject.

People sometimes use it for pet chickens too, even though it's not officially approved for that. It can be given to chickens by mouth, rubbed on their skin, injected, or mixed into their drinking water.

What Kind of Parasites?

All bird species can contract internal and external parasites, and chickens are no different. Both kinds can be spread amongst your flock in no time.

Internal Parasites in Chickens

Chickens can get sick from internal parasites. These parasites can cause problems like eating less food, laying fewer eggs, digestive issues, weakened immune systems, infertility, and even death.

Here are some common internal parasites that infect chickens:

1. Roundworms
2. Tapeworms
3. Cecal worms
4. Gapeworms
5. Capillary worms

1. Roundworms

Roundworms are the most common internal parasite in chickens. Young chicks are especially vulnerable to them, but older, healthy chickens can usually handle a small number of roundworms.

While roundworms don't spread from chickens to humans, finding them in chicken eggs is unpleasant. Ivermectin is an effective treatment for roundworms.

2. Capillary Worms (Threadworms / Hair Worms)

Capillary worms are less common than roundworms. These thin worms infect the digestive tracts of chickens.

Humans can get infected with capillary worms from their chickens, but this is unlikely if you wash your hands properly. It's more common in areas without access to clean water.

Ivermectin can sometimes treat capillary worms, especially in larger birds that can tolerate a higher dose.

3. Cecal Worms

Cecal worms are even less common and live in a specific part of the chicken's large intestine.

Humans rarely get infected by cecal worms, but these infections often come with a secondary protozoan infection that can be transmitted to people.

Cecal worm outbreaks usually happen in crowded chicken flocks.

Ivermectin pour-on is effective against cecal worms.

4. Gapeworms

Gapeworms are internal parasites found only in birds. They infect the airways of chickens and other poultry, causing blockages.

Ivermectin isn't recommended for treating gapeworms.

5. Tapeworms

Tapeworms live in the intestines of chickens and attach to the lining. They steal nutrients from the chicken's food. These flat worms can grow long and are spread through intermediate hosts like insects that chickens eat.

People can get tapeworms from chickens by contact with tapeworm eggs found in chicken manure.

Ivermectin isn't effective against tapeworms.

External Parasites

Chickens can get several external parasites, like lice, mites (like northern fowl mites and red mites), fleas, and ticks. These pests can cause irritation, make chickens lose their feathers, and even lead to anemia because they feed on the chicken's blood or skin.

Ivermectin pour-on can help get rid of all these parasites.

Scaly Leg Mites

These tiny mites live under the scales on a chicken's legs and feet. This causes irritation, swelling, and thick crusts to form. If left untreated, scaly leg mites can cause deformities, make chickens walk poorly, and lead to infections because the mites damage the tissue while feeding and laying eggs.

Fleas

Sticktight fleas attach themselves to a chicken's skin around its eyes, combs, and wattles. These fleas suck blood from the chicken, causing anemia, weight loss, scabs, and reduced egg production.

Lice

Chicken body lice feed on the chicken's skin and feathers, causing irritation, feather loss, and restlessness. If a lot of lice are present, it can lead to problems with egg production and overall health issues.

Correct Dosage

Remember, using ivermectin in chickens is not recommended at all, so any dosage is going to be off-label. There is no “correct dose.”

I have been advised to drop one milliliter of Ivermectin Pour-On right on the skin of the chicken, under each wing. This has been the best way to treat birds on our farm when needed.

Ivermectin only kills the species of adult roundworms, not their eggs. If there is a severe infestation, or you’re to the point of losing birds, you may consider treating them again 10-14 days later to kill any newly hatched parasites.

We haven’t used the oral solution or the injectable solution for our chickens.

Egg Withdrawal Times

Because Ivermectin hasn’t been tested by the manufacturer, there is no official egg withdrawal period. To use your eggs for human consumption, it is best dispose of eggs for 7 days after treating.

Meat Withdrawal Period

Chickens treated with Ivermectin can have the medicine in their meat. To be safe, farmers wait 35 days before selling chicken for meat.

Detection of Parasites

How can you know if your chickens have worms? To officially know if or what kind of internal parasites you’re dealing with, you should take a manure sample to your vet for a fecal float test. They can tell you what worm you need to address so you’ll know if Ivermectin will help you treat your flock.

Some signs that you might need to check for worms are:

• feather Loss
• slow growth
• pale comb or mouth
• diarrhea
• observable worms in manure
• weight loss
• coughing
• vomiting
• dirty vent feathers
• sudden death

If you see multiple signs and symptoms in your birds, then consider treatment.

How Do Chickens Get Worms?

Chickens can get parasites through various means, including direct contact with infected birds, exposure to contaminated environments, or ingestion of intermediate hosts like insects.

External parasites like mites and lice spread through close contact or shared bedding, while internal parasites, such as worms, often come from eating infected insects or ingesting parasite eggs from soil, water, or feces.

Even if you keep a closed flock, they may be exposed by the wild birds or other animals on your land.

Prevention

To prevent parasites in backyard chickens, maintain a clean living environment by regularly cleaning coops, replacing bedding, and ensuring good ventilation.

Keeping healthy birds and offering boosters to their immune systems will help them fight parasite pressure. Oregano, garlic, and probiotics are all excellent supplements for your healthy chickens.

Additionally, use preventative measures like dust baths with diatomaceous earth, rotating pastures to minimize parasite exposure, and performing regular health checks to catch infestations early.

Other Treatment Options Without the Use of Ivermectin

Okay, this one gets under my skin a little bit. I’m all in for a natural treatment of any ailment on the farm if it works.

There’s a great myth out there that raw pumpkin seeds will de-worm your chickens. T here are zero studies to support this claim.

Another one is to feed your chickens diatomaceous earth (DE). Again, this is a myth. As soon as the DE gets wet in the bird’s mouth , it becomes ineffective against any parasite. DE does help with external mites though.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Parasites Can Affect Chickens?

Chickens can get both internal and external parasites. Internal parasites include roundworms, threadworms, cecal worms, and gape worms. External parasites like lice, mites (like northern fowl mites and red mites), fleas, and ticks are also common. These pests can cause problems like irritation, feather loss, anemia, digestive issues, a weaker immune system, and even death.

How Can I Determine If My Chickens Have Worms?

To know for sure if your chickens have worms, take a poop sample to your veterinarian. They can test it and tell you what kind of worm it is. Some signs that might mean your chickens have worms include losing feathers, growing slowly, having pale combs or beaks, diarrhea, seeing worms in the poop, losing weight, coughing, vomiting, dirty vent feathers, and sudden death. If your chickens have several of these symptoms, talk to your vet.

What Is the Recommended Dosage of Ivermectin for Chickens?

While people use Ivermectin to treat parasites in other animals, it's not officially recommended for chickens. There's no set dose because using it on chickens isn't approved. Some people suggest putting one milliliter of Ivermectin pour-on on the skin under each wing. But because there are risks and no official guidelines, it's very important to talk to your vet before giving any medication to your chickens.

Conclusion

Throughout this blog post, we've explored the different types of internal and external parasites that can affect your flock, understanding how they impact your chickens' health and well-being.

While Ivermectin is often suggested as a treatment, it's crucial to remember that it's not officially approved for use in backyard chickens.

Using it off-label carries risks, so consulting with your veterinarian is essential before administering any medication to your flock. They can help determine the best course of action based on your chickens' specific needs and guide you through safe and effective parasite control measures.

By understanding how parasites spread and taking preventative steps like maintaining a clean coop and promoting good hygiene, you can create a healthier environment for your chickens, minimizing the risk of infestations and ensuring they thrive.